Officials  Policy

OF-97-01 Officials Committee General Procedures 2/9/2011

1. Duties, Responsibilities and Authority:
   1. The Officials Committee is solely responsible to recruit, train, test, certify, evaluate, retest, recertify and supervise officials for PNS and such other activities as may be necessary or helpful in maintaining a roster of qualified, well-trained and experienced officials of the highest caliber.
2. Composition:
   1. Members of the committee are as follows:
      1. The Chair
      2. Vice-Chair
      3. Treasurer
      4. At Large - 4 members
      5. Athlete Representative – up to 2 members
      6.  Past Chair
3. Election of Members and Term of Office:
   1. The election of Committee Members (not to include the Athlete Representatives) shall occur at the Annual Meeting of Officials. Each elected Member shall be a certified official of PNS and the Chair shall be a referee.  The elections of the Chair, Treasurer, and two (2) At Large shall occur on even numbered years.  The election of the Vice chair and two (2) At Large shall occur on odd numbered years.  Each office shall be held for a term of two years. An office holder may be re-elected for additional terms.  Member vacancies occurring in an office other than the Chair shall be filled by appointment of the Chair with the advice and consent of the Committee.  A vacancy in the Chair may be filled by appointment of the General Chair of the PNS with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors to serve the remainder of the term or until the Officials organization elects a successor.  The athletes will appoint Athlete Representatives, themselves.  Athlete Representatives will have responsibility for filling Athlete Representative vacancies.
4. Annual Meeting:
   1. The Annual Meeting of Officials shall occur a minimum of two weeks prior to the PNS Spring House of Delegates Meeting.  All Officials, whose USA Swimming membership is current and who hold current PNS certifications at the time of the meeting, shall have voice and voting rights.
5. Regular and Special Committee Meetings:
   1. Meetings are generally held on a 6 weeks basis.  Any two Committee Members, in agreement, may call a special meeting of the Committee at any time.  A quorum for the sanction of business shall consist of a majority of Committee members.

OF-97-02 Officials Committee Funds 2/9/2011

1. Funds:
   1. Funds of the Committee shall be deposited in such bank or other depository as selected by the Committee.  The Treasurer shall report the status of the Officials Funds to the PNS Treasurer at regular intervals or upon request of the PNS Treasurer.
2. National Officials Clinic:
   1. Two PNS officials may be sent to the National Officials Clinic. Announcements will be posted or emailed asking for volunteers to apply. Applications to attend will be accepted for review by the Committee.  As funds allow, airfare, housing, and registration expenses will be paid by PNS.

OF-97-03 Officials Committee Certification Procedures 2/9/2011

1. Eligibility:
   1. Any person who holds a current USA Swimming membership and resides within the geographic boundaries of Pacific Northwest Swimming.
2. Stroke & Turn Judge:
   1. Must be of at least 18 years of age
   2. Attend a training clinic conducted by an approved instructor.
   3. Complete and pass the open book online test “Certification – Stroke & Turn/Timer”
   4. Work a minimum of four (4) PNS sanctioned meet sessions, comprised of at least two (2) different meets, as a "Novice Stroke & Turn" and obtain the recommendation of the meet referee to be certified.
   5. Pay $10.00 certification.  The Senior Instructor or Officials Chair issues certification.
3. Starter:
   1. Minimum one year service as a certified Stroke & Turn Judge
   2. Attend a training clinic conducted by a senior instructor
   3. Complete and pass the open book online tests “Certification – Stroke & Turn/Timer” and “Certification – Starter”.
   4. Work a minimum of five (5) PNS sanctioned meet sessions, comprised of at least two (2) different meets, as a "Novice Starter".
   5. After receiving a recommendation from the meet referee that you are ready for advancement, make arrangements with clinic instructor to be observed for certification as a Starter.
   6. Pay $5.00 certification upgrade fee. Officials Chair issues certification.
4. Referee:
   1.  Must be of at least 21 years of age.
   2. Minimum one (1) year service as a certified Starter.
   3. Attend a training clinic conducted by a senior instructor.
   4. Complete and pass the open book online tests; “Certification – Stroke & Turn/Timer”, “Certification – Starter”, “Certification – Timing Judge”, “Certification – Referee”, “Certification – Administrative”, and “Certification – Clerk of Course”.
   5. Work a minimum of six (6) PNS sanctioned meet sessions as a "Novice Referee", comprised of three (3) different meets, two (2) different referees and 2 sessions in an administrative type role.
   6. After receiving a recommendation from the meet referee that you are ready for advancement, make arrangements with clinic instructor to be observed for certification to the referee level.
   7. Pay $5.00 certification upgrade fee. Officials Chair issues certification.

OF-97-04 Officials Committee Recertification Procedures 1/25/12

1. Recertification:  All Officials:
   1. It is mandatory for all officials to recertify at your highest level every two years. Attendance at a clinic to upgrade your level to a starter or referee, will qualify as a recertification clinic for the lesser level upon completion of the advancement process.
   2. Work a minimum of 10 USA Swimming / Masters sanctioned, approved, or observed meet sessions each year (at least two of which must be at your highest PNS certification level), 20 sessions minimum for the two year period.
   3. Maintain a log of sessions worked.  For educational purposes, all officials are encouraged to take the recertification test for their officiating level on the USAS website on an annual basis.
      1. Stroke & Turn Officials:
         1. Attend a recertification or training clinic conducted by an approved instructor.
         2. Bring your current PNS official certification card, USA Swimming membership card and log of sessions worked.
         3. Pay the $5 Recertification fee, new certification cards will be issued soon thereafter.
      2. Starters:
         1. Attend a recertification or training clinic conducted by an approved instructor.
         2. Bring your current PNS official certification card, USA Swimming membership card and log of sessions worked.
         3. Pay the $5 Recertification fee, new certification cards will be issued by the Officials Chair.
      3. Referees:
         1. Referees must attend one of the two referee meetings held each Fall and Spring prior to the House of Delegates Meeting.
         2. Bring your current PNS official certification card, USA Swimming membership card and log of sessions worked.
         3. Pay the $5 Recertification fee, new certification cards will be issued by the Officials Chair.
2. Expired Certification: All Officials:
   1. USA Swimming membership must be maintained at all times in order to work on deck in any official capacity. Should recertification requirements not be met by the time the two (2) year certification expires:
      1. Stroke & Turn Judge, Chief Judge: the official enters a six (6) month period in which to complete the recertification requirements including attendance at a Stroke & Turn recertification or training clinic. The six months period is not an extension of certification; it is an opportunity to take additional time to meet the recertification requirements.  If all requirements are not met by the end of the six months period, the individual will no longer be a PNS official. Any return will be as a new official at the entry level.
      2. Starter: the official enters a six (6) month period in which to complete the recertification requirements including attendance at a Starter recertification or training clinic.  The six months period is not an extension of certification; it is an opportunity to take additional time in meeting the recertification requirements. During the six months period the official may choose to attend a Stroke and Turn recertification or training clinic and change to the chief judge level.  If all recertification requirements are not met by the end of the six months period, the individual will no longer be a PNS official. Any return will be as a new official at the entry level.
      3. Referee: the officials committee may review the official and circumstances on a case-by-case basis.  Any allowed period of review is not an extension of certification; it is an opportunity to take additional time in meeting the recertification requirements. During the period of review, the official may choose to attend a Stroke and Turn or Starter recertification or training clinic and change to that level.  If all recertification requirements are not met by the end of the review period, the individual will no longer be a PNS official. Any return will be as a new official at the entry level.

OF-97-05 Officials Committee Members and Clinic Instructors 3/29/2011

1. Official Committee Members:

2.  PNS Clinicians:

2. 1. Clinic Instructors are selected and approved by the Officials Committee and authorized to conduct initial and recertification clinics.  Clinic Instructors are listed on the PNS website under the Officials tab.

OF-97-06 Officials Uniform 5/11/2011

To uphold our standards of professionalism on deck, the following uniform for Novice and Certified Officials is to be used for all Sanctioned and Approved meets in the Pacific Northwest LSC (unless the dress uniform is specified otherwise in the Meet Announcement or on an Application to Officiate).

1. All positions except Meet Referee:
   1. White polo shirt, neat and tucked in at the waist.  No USA Swimming banned logos (tobacco, alcohol, etc.) or excessive brand logos.
   2. Solid navy blue shorts, skirt or long pants (no blue jeans).  Shorts and skirts to be of professional appearance and length.  In a preliminaries and finals meet, long pants or skirt are required for "finals" sessions.
   3. Shoes shall be white and worn with white socks. No sandals, clogs, or open heeled shoes are permitted.
   4. Outdoor meets may require hats, sunglasses, jackets, etc. - keep a professional image in mind with extra attire.
2. Meet Referee: The Meet Referee shall adopt the same uniform with the following exceptions:

1.    Navy blue polo shirt, neat and tucked in at the waist.

2.     Solid white or khaki shorts, skirt or long pants.