TASO-SSA Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest

TASO Code of Ethics

The official shall be a member in good standing of his/her Association each year.
The official uniform and patches as designated by each Association shall be worn.
No official shall partake of any substance prior to officiating a game/match which would impair his/her physical or mental performance. An official shall not compromise the integrity of the Association while in any article of clothing identifying themselves as an official following a game/match.
Every member’s conduct, speech, and actions during or enroute to and from a game/match shall be above reproach and should always demonstrate the example of sportsmanship, courtesy, and self control.
The official should arrive at the game/match with sufficient time to inspect facility and equipment, discuss ground rules, instruct supplementary officials, and discuss any pertinent information with the coaches.
No official shall publicly, or in the presence of coaches, players, spectators, or the news media criticize any other official or any individual within TASO before, during, or after a contest.
No official shall cancel an officiating assignment to accept another more advantageous UIL sanctioned assignment.
No official shall fail to honor an officiating contract. Whenever it becomes impossible to fulfill any officiating assignment, the official involved shall notify the chapter secretary, or assigner, in sufficient time that a replacement may be obtained.
No official shall seek to influence a coach for the purpose of promoting personal officiating opportunities.
Every official shall seek to possess and demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the letter and intent of the playing rules and officiating mechanics.
No official shall solicit contests unless he/she is operating as an individual contracting agent in an area without an assigning secretary.
No official shall falsify records or reports for personal gain.
No official shall engage in scouting activities or engage in conversation with coaches regarding officiating assignments.

Game Assignments: Conflict of Interest

An official SHALL NOT KNOWINGLY ACCEPT ASSIGNMENT OF A CONTEST if any of the following exist:

If there is a TASO Chapter that makes assignments through an assignment secretary/director and the assignment did not come through the assignment secretary/director. (Violation of this prevents you from being in good standing and no playoff games!)
If any official assigned to the contest is not a member in good standing of the appropriate TASO division.
If the official is related by blood or marriage as follows: (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, etc.) to a person affiliated with a team involved in a contest.***
If the official and any person affiliated with a team involved in a contest are former or present teammates, roommates, classmates, business associates or close personal friends.***
If the official or the official’s spouse attended or worked at either school within the last 5 years.***
If the official has a child in school in one of the involved schools, or a child who graduated from one of the schools within the previous 5 years.***

*** May be waived by mutual consent of the head coaches.