Member Info & FAQ

Member Info & Frequently Asked Questions

 

 When / how will I get paid?
  • Payments are processed based on game fees that have been collected to date by the Hamilton Board. Pay dates normally occur at the monthly scheduled meetings from November to May and once in September.
What is the current annual registration fee?  When is it due?
  • Annual registration fees (as of 2023-24) are $142.00. This fee includes membership in IAABO (International Association of Approved Basketball Officials), CBOC (Canadian Basketball Officials Commission) and OABO (Ontario Association of Basketball Officials) and insurance coverage.
  • These fees pay for your insurance coverage – as such, per our Constitution & By-Laws the registration fee is payable in full at our first meeting of the season in September so that insurance can be obtained for you and games assigned.
What is the proper uniform?
  • All referees with our Board are required to conform to the standard uniform – as per our Constitution & By-Laws the uniform shall be black trousers (with black belt if worn), black basketball shoes, black socks, the CBOC shirt, a black Fox 40 whistle and black lanyard. For locally assigned games, if a warm-up jacket is worn it shall be a black basketball jacket with the Hamilton Board crest or the CBOC or CABO warm-up jackets or any warm-up jacket designated by CBOC. Warm-up jackets are required to be worn for all high school or U14 and above games.
How can I request a formal evaluation in order to progress in my career?
I have a possible insurance claim – what do I do?
  • All injury-related insurance claims must be documented and submitted to the insurance company within 30 days of the incident.  Please contact the current Secretary-Treasurer (as found on the Executive page) for details regarding the required documentation.
  • All other insurance related items, including Statements of Claims, must be submitted to the current President and Secretary-Treasurer (both as found on the Executive page) immediately and to the insurance company within 20 days.
Parking Expenses
  • Officials who work high school or club games at Mohawk College, McMaster University, Redeemer College or Sheridan College will pay for parking at the time of their assignments and submit the parking receipts to the Assigner within 48 hours for reimbursement, with the exceptions as noted below.  The actual costs of parking for officials will be added by the Assigner to the invoices for these games and tournaments and to your game assignment for reimbursement.  Officials who do not submit a copy of their receipts within 48 hours will not be reimbursed.  If game / tournament organizers can secure paid parking for officials, the organizers will not be charged and officials will not be reimbursed.
  • Under no circumstances will officials be reimbursed for parking fines or tickets as a result of parking illegally.
  • Parking exceptions:
    • Parking reimbursement for OCAA games is handled by the OCAA – please send receipts directly to the OCAA with the crew chiefs game report.
    • The OBA does not reimburse for parking expenses. 

The following memo is as released by OABO and applies to all members of the Hamilton Board as we are all members of OABO.  Items in italics are edits from the original memo…

Memorandum Regarding Social Media Use for The Membership of Ontario Association of Basketball Officials

Social Media use and electronic communication has become an integral part of our lives. Email, posts, messaging and chats are now so ingrained in how we interact that it is second nature. Many of these technological instruments make staying connected so much more efficient. Transferring of pertinent information and emergency or mass communication is more readily facilitated digitally using our smartphones, laptops and tablets. All of these benefits with quick and efficient means are what draws us to the use of electronic communication.

The OABO Executive has seen a growing number of incidences related to the use of social media for commentary of events during basketball games. A number of significant events have occurred in the past few years. This memo is meant to support local boards in developing policies and protocols related to appropriate professional communications and also provide some guidance to assist handling issues that may arise locally. There is a growing need to address concerns around how electronic communication is used in the basketball officiating community and this is meant to help officials and local boards develop and apply standards.

There are some considerations that must be noted with so much of our communication being of the digital nature.  Once something is sent through the internet you are no longer in control of it. Communication, once sent, is freely available for forwarding, sharing and unfortunately misinterpreting. As officials we are constantly held to a higher standard and our code of conduct guides us through our required expectation of being professional at all times. This is so important in all aspects of officiating, preparation, training, education, reporting and in all manner of communication, whether it be within our own community of officials or the general public.

Knowing electronic communication is here to stay, the following should be used as a guideline when utilizing the communication tools available.

The Do’s

  • Remember, it isn’t what is said or what is meant; it is how the words are interpreted
  • Be mindful of our list of friends (coaches, clubs, and players). Integrity and credibility are so vital for us to have.
  • Communicate with partners and your association regarding confirming of schedules, game times, travel plans and education opportunities.
  • Provide factual reports of incidences that occurred in your game that need to be forwarded to the appropriate executive members or assignors privately and confidentially
  • Communicate in a positive manner at all times, as posts or messages may be read by those not intended to see them

The Don’ts

  • Don’t make derogatory comments about players, coaches, schools (clubs, teams), fans or fellow officials
  • Don’t publish your officiating schedule openly
  • Don’t show an affiliation with, or “cheerlead” for, any school, team, coach or player
  • Don’t post commentary about games, whether good or bad, especially after a tough game
  • Don’t publish anything related to the teams you have worked or will work
  • Don’t post details about other people’s assignments or performances
  • Don’t provide individual interpretations on rules in an open forum or discussion

Officials are always being judged on their expected impartiality and performance. Remember that our words can be a powerful measure of our professionalism and credibility. If you can’t say it in a public manner, you might not want to have your words for the world to see.