Suspension

[Jurassic Referee]

You're an independant contractor for tax purposes, but you still have to follow the rules/by-laws of any body(association) that you wish to join. Most associations set up their own rules and by-laws, in my experience. They also have general control of all officials under their umbrella. Iow, the answer is yes, that association does have the right to set their own rules and also the right to enforce them.

The association that I belong to has a similar rule btw. All officials must notify and get permission from their assignor first before accepting games from another assignor. The idea is that if you want the benefit of being assigned games by our association, then our association should have first call on your services. It can also be an insurance matter, depending on how your liability insurance is set-up. If you're receiving insurance coverage through your assigning body, then that coverage may not extend to games assigned by a different body.

[Nevadaref]

This is also a method used by many associations protect their area of service from competing organizations.

[JRutledge]

All of this would depend on the type of organizational structure you are under. The only association that matters where I live is the state organization. Local official's associations have no power over assignments and they definitely have no power over what another organization. Also an HS assignor can hire anyone they want regardless of affiliation as long as they are hiring you with a HS license. In my state we are independent contractors and we can work for whoever we want to in or out of the state. Also our HS license has nothing to do with college or JH and AAU assignments. This is the system I work under. It appears that the system I work under is very different than a great deal of the country. I do not think anyone can answer exactly what rules you fall under, but if you are really an independent contractor, not sure how one organization can have so much power over what you do in your officiating career. This is not something that might apply in that area but will not apply in another area.

Peace