A Rat

[The_Rookie]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

I've held my tongue as long as I can. I'd like the opinions of fellow members here.

In March of last season, we elected officers for this season. The President for the 2017-18 season lost. He did not take losing well. ( BTW, He lost 67% to 33% it wasn't close) He broke many of our by laws by going to the area schools and soliciting games for a new officials association that he planned to form. But he hadn't resigned from our board UNTIL the schools had committed to giving him games.

Here's my question, 1st of all, I believe we should be a brotherhood, we should support and raise one another up. How would you handle this situation? Some of our members want to work both boards. ( BTW, we have about 2500 assignments and his board took about 100 )

If one of our members works for his board ( at this point we know of 2) Should there be a penalty? What type of penalty?

Does this happen in other areas? We have a contract with the area schools and conference, we were to be the EXCLUSIVE provider of officiating services for basketball. They interpret the contract differently ( NOW) We serve about 13 high schools, 3 of them have given us all the conference games, not the non conference games, 1 school gave the other board ALL their schedule ( 15 games ) because he offered to work 2 person instead of 3 person, the remainder of schools have given us their entire schedule.

I'd like to stay positive, but this guy.....sore loser. Rat.

Not the first time this situation has occurred. People get hurt feelings and they take action. If the schools are satisfied with the service your board provides why would they switch? Has anyone explained the circumstances to the schools that switched? Independent Contractors can work when and for who they want.

From the facts you present, I would agree the guy is the skunk at the picnic but not sure what course of action your association would like to pursue!

[Terrapins Fan]

We cover 7 counties. 2 school in the county, including the one he graduated from, gave him games. 2 school in another county gave him games. 1 because he offered a lower rate using 2 person mechanics instead of 3 person.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

We cover 7 counties. 2 school in the county, including the one he graduated from, gave him games. 2 school in another county gave him games. 1 because he offered a lower rate using 2 person mechanics instead of 3 person.

I wouldn't work for him based on this alone.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by The_Rookie

Independent Contractors can work when and for who they want.

This is simply not true much of the time no matter how much people throw the "independent contractor" card around. There are many states that do not allow you to take games from more than one association. There are associations that will treat you poorly for being a dual member even if it's not prohibited. And even at the college level or in states where associations don't assign games, there are assigners who hate each other and will not use guys that work for the other guy, or there are single-gender assigners that won't let their guys work the other gender. Spin it however you want, but that is restriction of trade.