GIHOA Member, On behalf of the GIHOA Board of Directors and our Seminar Instructor Staff, I would like to welcome you to today s seminar. Your Board of Directors has been working since June to ensure this is GIHOA s best season yet. We are looking forward to a safe, exciting, and fun time as we kick off the 2011-2012 season. Know that your Board, our evaluators and our instructors stand ready to assist you in any way as we want you to be successful in your officiating endeavors this season. GIHOA has the full support of our customers across the many levels of ice hockey we serve in the Atlanta community including rink owners and management, league officials, coaches, team officials, players, and parents. Each of these entities comprises our customer base, and we need to be prepared to provide them with the best product. Our customers are the ones who pay your game fees and thus have every right to expect a quality product with each and every outing. With this in mind, we challenge each of you to strive for the highest standards both on and off the ice. This includes your appearance when you arrive at the rink, your professionalism on the ice, making the tough call that needs to be made and skating harder to be in position so you can make the right call. It includes submitting detailed, accurate game reports in a timely manner, supplemental training, and time spent in the rule book in order for all of us to become better in our officiating responsibilities. I know our membership possesses the skills, knowledge and talent to take our product to the next level. We encourage each of you to make the commitment each time you step on the ice, to achieve the highest level of CUSTOMER SERVICE through your performance. Our game is a great game, thank you for attending today s seminar; we wish each of you success in your officiating. For the Board and our Instructors. Kurt Totten President Georgia Ice Hockey Officials Association
GIHOA Member, In 2009 the GIHOA Board of Directors passed the following motion regarding face shields for GIHOA members. The focus during our discussions regarding this motion and the reason for passing it was centered on the safety of our members. This motion took effect with the start of the 2009 2010 season. Face Shields are required for the following officials while officiating any GIHOA scheduled game. 1. ALL NEW Level 1 officials, age is NOT a factor; this applies to any NEW official 2. All returning officials, regardless of officiating level, who were not 18 years of age or older before August 1, 2009. GIHOA encourages and strongly recommends all officials of any age or level to wear a HECC approved "half shield" while officiating. For the Board: Kurt Totten President Georgia Ice Hockey Officials Association
Direct Deposit GIHOA has moved to Direct Deposit via REFPAY as the method of paying our Officials. Payments to all GIHOA officials will be made through this program. Here is how the program works. GIHOA transfers the payroll to REFPAY once per month on or about the 15 th of the month. Once REFPAY gets and processes the payroll, REFPAY will make the funds available to you. You will get an email directly from REFPAY confirming the availability of funds. Funds are available in 3 forms to you. (you will make this choice when you register at REFPAY). 1. EFT = Electronic funds transfer to your bank account. 2. Debit card through REFPAY. 3. Hard copy check mailed to you (this will cost you 3.00) What is your next step? You need to register at www.refpay.com click "sign up". (have your bank address, routing and account numbers with you). We suggest you use your same log on and password as you use on Arbiter. Once you have completed the 8 steps you will get two emails from REFPAY. The first will thank you for signing up with REFPAY, the second, 24 hours later, will confirm your registration is complete. Once your registration is complete, this will tie Arbiter and REFPAY together. Sign onto Arbiter, click "payments" and look for the tab that says REFPAY. Remember, the only way to get paid by GIHOA is to register at REFPAY. Click here for a 29 page PDF that will answer your questions about this program. Questions about this process can be directed to Scott Sanders at sanders.mscott@gmail.com please do not overload him with questions until you have read the instructions.
USA Hockey Officiating Section Registration Rules & Policies USA HOCKEYOFFICIALS SECTION -REGISTRATION RULES & POLICIES The registration season for the Officiating Program begins on August 1, and all incomplete registrations must be completed by 12:00am (midnight), May 11 of the following year. USA Hockey officials registration is valid for the entire season in any district or state in the United States. Membership in a State or Local Officials Association is not required for USA Hockey officials registration. MINIMUM/MAXIMUM AGES USA Hockey has no minimum or maximum ages for officials. It is highly recommended that, regardless of level attained, officials not work games of their own age classification or higher. Generally, officials can successfully officiate as young as age 10. However, some individual states do have restrictive child labor laws that do not exempt amateur sport officials. It is the obligation of the parent who registers a minor to determine the specific labor laws in their respective state prior to registering with USA Hockey. NEW OFFICIALS (NEVER BEEN REGISTERED) All persons who have never officia ted must register at Level 1 for the first season. The District Referee-in-Chief only, prior to registration, may make exceptions to this rule in extreme cases in which the applicant has extensive hockey officiating experience that would foster registration at Level 2. No first-time registered official may register above Level 2 for the first season. CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS LEVEL 1 Complete Must complete online application Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 35/50 Must attend and complete an officiating seminar administrated by USA Hockey LEVEL 2 Complete Must complete online application Must have been Level 1 or higher ( Complete) within the last two seasons Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 85/100 Must attain a Level 2 Closed Book Exam score of 24/30 Must attend and complete an officiating seminar administrated by USA Hockey LEVEL 3 Complete Must complete online application Must have been Level 2 or higher ( Complete) last season Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 90/100 Must attain a Level 3 Closed Book Exam score of 40/50. Must attend and complete an officiating seminar administrated by USA Hockey LEVEL 4 Complete Must complete online application Must have been Level 3 or 4 (Complete) last season Must attain an Open Book Exam score of 90/100 Must attain a Level 4 Closed Book Exam score of 40/50 Must pass Skating Exam and attend and complete a Level 4 specific USA Hockey seminar each season. Must arrange to have an evaluation completed, while officiating a high level game, by a trained USA
Hockey Evaluator at least once during the current calendar year. NOTES "Complete" means that an official has met all the criteria (testing and seminars) at the level for which he/she has applied. "Incomplete" means that an official has filed an application and has not completed all the necessary criteria for attainment of that level. A new official (not registered the previous year) may not officiate until he/she is "completely registered." A returning official ("complete" the previous season) may not officiate after November 30 of the current season (expiration date on previous year's card) unless he/she is "completely registered" for the current season. OPEN BOOK RULES EXAM Each season all officials must complete the Open Book Playing Rules Exam. Officials who do not receive the minimum score for the appropriate level, will be sent a retake notice and a new answer sheet. Only one Retake Exam per official is allowed after a seven day waiting period, and once available this retake must be completed within 30 days. In the event that an official fails the exam twice, he/she will become completely registered at the highest level for which the retake exam score would qualify (e.g., Level 1 =35/50 or 60/100; Level 2 =85/100; Level 3 =90/100; Level 4 =90/100). RENEWAL OFFICIALS Renewal officials may apply for one level higher than their completed registration level the previous season. Officials are allowed to take one season as "unregistered" or "incomplete" and return at the same level they were last completely registered at. Level 1 completely registered officials are allowed to take one season off and still be eligible for Level 2 the following season. The level that each renewal official is eligible for is designated on the online officiating application. An official may apply for a level lower than their eligible level. However, once the application has been received at the National Office, an official cannot change the level they had applied for. RETURNING OFFICIALS (AFTER 1 OR MORE SEASON(S) UNREGISTERED OR INCOMPLETELY REGISTERED) We are always happy to have officials return to the USA Hockey Officiating Program after some time away from the program. Because of your past experience with our program you may be able to register at a level higher than Level 1, depending upon the level at which you were last registered. As a general rule, officials may take one season off (unregistered or incomplete) without forfeiting the current level status. However, if an official is away (not registered or incomplete) for the previous two seasons, he/she must apply for registration one level lower (except Level 1) than that of the last season "completely registered." A Level 4 official who takes 3 or more seasons off will be required to return at Level 2. LOCAL OFFICIATING PROGRAM SEMINAR ATTENDANCE Attendance at a sanctioned USA Hockey Officials Seminar is required for all applicants, regardless of level. This seminar must consist of both a classroom and ice-session, and must be conducted by USA Hockey trained instructors. At the seminar, every official and instructor in attendance must be sure to "sign in" on the official USA Hockey Seminar Attendance Form (unless they have pre-registered online). The Attendance Form will be returned to the National Office and attendance credited in each official's registration record. Level 4 applicants must attend a Level 4 specific seminar. There will be no opportunity to complete the Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 closed book testing except at the USA Hockey seminar you attend. NOTE To be eligible to officiate in any State, Regional or National Championships, an official must be completely registered on or before December 31 of the current season. Only Level 4 officials will be eligible to Referee National Championships. CLOSED BOOK EXAMS All Level 2, 3, & 4 officials must complete a Closed Book Exam while completing their Local Seminar. The official must take the appropriate level exam to receive credit towards their registration level (i.e.: a Level 3 CB Exam will not count towards Level 2 registration). If an official takes a Closed Book Exam at a level below their current season registration level, they may be "completed" at the level of the Closed Book Exam. If an official takes a Closed Book Exam at a level higher than their current season registration level, their Closed Book Exam score will be rejected and they will be "completed" as a Level 1 for the season. There are no re-take attempts on any Closed Book Exams. SCHEDULING OF GAMES Registration with the USA Hockey Officiating Program does not guarantee any official any game assignments. Officials are responsible to obtain their own game assignments from Local Game Schedulers as designated in each District. Any game scheduler who assigns incompletely registered officials for games is subject to serious liability as he/she jeopardizes the insurance coverage of the officials and both teams involved. Whenever possible, only level-qualified officials should be assigned to games. Updated listings of currently registered officials are available from the District Referee-in-Chief on a regular basis.
Screening FAQ http://www.southeastrefs.org/screeningfaq.html Page 1 of 3 8/19/2010 USA HOCKEY BACKGROUND SCREENING COMES TO SE DISTRICT OFFICIALS As much as we would like to ignore the issue, there is growing concern about physical and sexual violence being perpetrated against children throughout our nation. USA Hockey, ever mindful of promoting the safety and protection of all participants of the game, has taken a proactive approach. Several years ago, USA Hockey began requiring coaches and volunteers to undergo a background screening. Now, all adult (18 years old and older*) officials are being asked to undergo the same screening process. Screening of adult officials is a condition of registration. Without it, adult referees will not be considered completely registered. Every adult will be screened for the 2008-09 season and then on a periodic basis every 3 years. Each year all new officials and those minor children who have turned 18, will be required to complete the screening process. Coaches and other USA Hockey Volunteers who have recently undergone the screening process (within the past 3 years) can request their Affiliate to forward their screening information to the Southeastern District Officiating Program and not pay for an additional screening. Once applied and paid for, screening results will be sent by Acxiom directly to the official and placed on an Acxiom page set up for SE District review by Bill Hughes, the Southeastern District Officiating Program Screening Administrator. The Administrator will only be looking for issues of physical or sexual violence/abuse against minors. Other issues that may be noted in the results will not cause any further inquiry. Bill will log in when your screening has been completed. After 60 days, the screening file will be removed from the Acxiom SE District page. This program is designed to be efficient, quick, and easy to use and monitor. For additional information, read the USA Hockey Policy on Background Screening. To view the screening application process, please review the following Acxiom PowerPoint brief. It is highly recommended that you download the PowerPoint brief and use that as a guide when signing up with Acxiom for your screening. An overview of the process is shown on the process flowchart. Please review the FAQ. If you have other questions, shoot them to screening@southeastrefs.org. Your questions will be answered within 4-5 days either personally or added to the FAQ sheet FAQ's Why now? While we have no suspicion of any problem in the Southeastern District, this screening provides a measure of reassurance for our players, coaches, parents, administrators, and officials that we are doing our part. For most, the magic date is November 30, 2008. Background screening has been around for the USA Hockey coaches and volunteers for around five years. They've had virtually no problems with anyone wishing to coach to go through it. We in SE District have been told to start the program. USA Hockey leaves it to Affiliates to implement and set the rules. We have no control over Affiliates but we're told to start screening officials. Those who screen will be good for 3 years in SE District. Other areas require 1-3 years like the Junior program and New York/New Jersey for example. Who must screen? Any official who is 18 years old or older. *Officials who turned 18 between June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008 are not required to screen until November 30, 2009. For those who turn 18 between June 1, 2008 May 31, 2009, the screening deadline is
Screening FAQ http://www.southeastrefs.org/screeningfaq.html Page 2 of 3 8/19/2010 November 30, 2010. Are officials being singled out? No. Coaches, administrators and other official volunteers are already being screened. And in most cases, they pay for their own screening as officials will be doing. No money will be passed to the Southeastern District to conduct a screening. What will it cost? $21.50 plus $52 for New York Residents in the last seven years; plus $75 for Canadians; and plus $15 for Puerto Ricans. Again, we're told they go back 7 years. Note: if you are a USA Hockey coach or Junior official, please have your Affiliate send your name and the date of the screening to Bill Hughes at screening@southeastrefs,org. I can find less expensive screening programs. Can I use these services? No. Acxiom has been sanctioned by USA Hockey and it is our preference to use them. The cost is very reasonable for the service they provide. I've been screened as a hockey coach, administrator or other volunteer, will that suffice? YES! IF the screening was done for USA Hockey in the last three years, YOU, the Official, MUST coordinate with your Affiliate that holds the screening. YOU must have the date of the screening sent to Bill Hughes, the Southeastern District Screening Administrator, at screening@southeastrefs.org. Note that this doesn't apply to any other credentialing in any other sport or activity. It will come from a USA Hockey program. If you are a coach in the PVAHA, just tell Bill that you have completed your PVAHA screening. Bill will look up the information in the PVAHA database and update the Referee Screening files with your screening information. HOWEVER, you, the OFFICIAL must inform the Screening Administrator. What are we looking for? Sexual or physical abuse of minors. Period. We aren't looking for drugs, shoplifting, bank robbery, hit and run, speeding, domestic issues, check bouncing, or any other adverse information. Who will see the screen? One person. Bill Hughes. He will view the screening on the Acxiom website which will keep screenings viewable to him for 60 days. What will the screening show? Criminal convictions. Terrorist Watch List. How far back does the data go? Acxiom will investigate your records for the past seven years. What information will be kept? Only the date of screen will be kept and linked to the information in your USA Hockey registration record. USA Hockey keeps your name, address, home and work telephone numbers, date of birth, email address, officiating level and history, exam scores, and seminar attendance record indexed by your USA Hockey member number. Information on Southeastern District officials is kept in the password protected Southeastern District database. SE District database access is granted only to SE District staff or others as authorized by the SE District Referee in Chief. Other than date of screening, no specifics about the screening will be maintained. Registrations that are rejected due to adverse information are removed from the database and no further data on that individual is retained. Note that your Social Security number is not kept in the USA Hockey or Southeastern District database. We believe we have minimized any information that could be of value to someone trying to steal your identity. Will I see my screening? Yes, you can have a copy emailed to you from Acxiom. You will need to keep this copy to forward to other organizations such as the Junior program or another Affiliate when traveling to skate. What happens if an official is flagged? USA Hockey procedures apply. Basically, the Screening Administrator will initiate an inquiry. He will determine if further investigation is required and will bring it up with the Southeastern District Referee In Chief and Officiating Program Training Director prior to making a call to the official. Between them, they will determine if additional investigation is needed. Are there set procedures? Yes. Please see the USA Hockey policy. Will I do this every year? NO. A background check is good for 3 years. You will be notified well in advance
Screening FAQ http://www.southeastrefs.org/screeningfaq.html Page 3 of 3 8/19/2010 when a re-screening will be required for you to complete your registration and you'll be able to see your renewal date on the web site at any time. However, some other Affiliates and the national Officiating Development Program require annual screening. Until a national program requirement is established, the SE District Referee Program will use a 3 year window. Who is the screener? Screenings are received through the Southeastern District Officiating Program website by Mr. Bill Hughes, Colonel, USMC (retired), a 12 year official in PVAHA. Having handled several cases during his Marine Corps career during his command assignments, he well understands the need for security, discretion, and expeditious handling of cases. He will not maintain any files on his home or work computers. Will any adverse information be released or accessible by anyone outside of USA Hockey? NO! A maximum of three people will be involved in details if necessary. Bill Hughes - Screening Administrator, Mike Catalano Training Director, and Jim Dewhirst Referee-In-Chief. If an official does not successfully screen, the State Supervisor will be informed only that Official X has not screened. No details will be provided and the official will have already been informed. Should I go out of the District to officiate, how do I get my credentials passed as required? Send a note with a point of contact, to screening@southeastrefs.org and we will forward credential information. What if I don't want to screen? You will be permitted to officiate in the SE District until Nov. 30, 2008. On December 1, 2008 you will not be registered. How do I initiate my background check? Go to www.mybackgroundreport.com and create an account as a New User using Partner Code USAH4945. Fill out the application that follows. For Company, type in "Southeastern District Officials". For Corporate ID, use your USA Hockey Referee member number. Your member number is on your registration card. If you want the report faxed to you, include a fax number. If you want the report emailed to you, include your email. You will be asked for a credit card and then you will submit it. For best results, download the Acxiom PowerPoint brief and use the instructions in the briefing to sign up with Acxiom. You will get several replies over the next several days/weeks as the screening completes a different search until it is complete. Save the report to your computer or print it to keep for yourself. What if I have RELEVANT adverse material? Bill Hughes will contact you in accordance with the USAH policy guide if there is relevant information that he must follow up with you.
USA HOCKEY BENEFITS OVERVIEW As the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States, USA Hockey s mission is to promote the growth of hockey in America and to provide the best possible experience for all participants. The individual registration fee is $30. The registration fee is waived for all players ages 6 and younger. The fee of $30 remains the same for all other players or coaches regardless of age, level of experience, number of games played, etc. In other words, there are no added charges as a member moves through the program. However, members receive different benefits at different levels. For example, the benefits a Mite player receives this year will change as he or she progresses from season to season. If a participant plays and coaches he/she pays only one registration fee. USA Hockey membership benefits include: Registration of players, coaches, officials and teams Access to our Cross-Ice Program to maximize young players ice time USA Hockey, with support from the National Hockey League, has created the American Development Model. The ADM is a nationwide initiative that provides local associations across the country a blueprint for optimal athlete development that focuses on ageappropriate training Opportunity to play in District and National Championship Tournaments Opportunity to be selected for regional and national Player Development Camps and Festivals, various Select Teams and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program An extensive Junior Program for high-level players to develop their skills in preparation for collegiate and professional careers USA Hockey s Girls /Women s and Adult Hockey Programs that have grown immensely in recent years as we address specific needs of these groups Access to participation in Adult Classic Tournaments held in various locations around the country A Coaching Education Program to provide instructional training, clinics and certification for over 60,000 coaches Age-specific Practice Plan Manuals Other numerous educational resource materials for players, coaches and referees including videos, manuals, handbooks, and newsletters USA Hockey maintains and publishes Official Playing Rules to provide consistency for all participants The USA Hockey Officiating Program provides instructional training, clinics and certification for over 26,000 referees Protection associated with mandated background screening for all adults who have access to youth players USA Hockey/Cyber Sport registration software provided to all programs free of charge to facilitate registration and provide a program management tool for local use throughout the year. This software creates multiple reports, mailing and scoresheet labels and many other features Online registration provided to all officials and to members of all participating ice programs Page 1 of 2
Insurance coverages include: excess accident (up to $25,000), catastrophic accident (from $25,001 to $2,000,000), general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence, no aggregate), directors and officer s insurance for all boards from local programs through District/Affiliate level ($1,000,000 per occurrence, no aggregate), crime insurance for all programs Subscription to USA Hockey Magazine, the world s most widely circulated hockey publication, which is published 10 times per year Extensive information on all aspects of the sport provided through our website, usahockey.com All member programs can build a free website with real-time scoring and statistics on the usahockey.com platform All member programs receive the following publications at no charge to distribute to each of their teams: USA Hockey Annual Guide, USA Hockey Playing Rule book, Off-Ice Officials Manual and Insurance Handbook Informational brochures provided free of charge to all member programs at any amount requested. These brochures are: e Parents Introduction to Youth Hockey e Hockey Talk e Fun and Games e Teamwork e Sportsmanship e Head s Up Hockey e Establishing a good relationship between Coach & Parent e Girl s and Women s Ice Hockey e Adult Hockey Programs e Opportunities for Adults in USA Hockey e Coaching Education Program e ACE Director Program Hat Trick, Playmaker and Zero club patches provided free of charge An extensive Risk Management program that works to make the game safe for all, including USA Hockey s participation in the Hockey Equipment Certification Council, ensuring proper equipment is being used The USA Hockey Foundation provides grants to Districts/Affiliates and other member programs to allow them to develop programs specific to their area to increase participation and enhance skill development Many special discounts and offers provided to members by equipment manufacturers, apparel and merchandise licensees, and official corporate sponsors of USA Hockey Membership in the organization that sends Team USA to compete in the Olympic Winter Games, World Championships and other international events USA Hockey serves as a caretaker for the sport at the grassroots level, and our national office staff and network of volunteers across the country work diligently behind-the-scenes to organize and administer our many programs to promote the great game of hockey. Page 1 of 2
Exam Answer Sheet Please place your answers in the appropriate spaces provides below. Name: USA Hockey Member #: City: State: Local Officials Group Name_GIHOA 1-11- 21-31- 41-2- 12-22- 32-42- 3-13- 23-33- 43-4- 14-24- 34-44- 5-15- 25-35- 45-6- 16-26- 36-46- 7-17- 27-37- 47-8- 18-28- 38-48- 9-19- 29-39- 49-10- 20-30- 40-50-