I. Southwest Section Officials Committee
A. The Program will be administrated by Southwest Section Officials Committee. This committee will be made from an FOC examiner from each division, which is elected by the division. The committee member should have a level five (5) or higher, or the highest level in their division, if no five or higher is available. The committee will on their first meeting of each year elect a chair. And vacancy will be filled by the committee during the year. If filled, the new member must be a member of the same division as the prior member. All names of the elected division members will be presented at the sectional meeting each year.

1. The Section Secretary will maintain a current data base of all section referees including mailing addresses and contact information.
   

1. The SWSOC chain will notify the section secretary of any changes, additions or removals, as may happen during the year.
   
2. The sectional webmaster will include this list on the sectional website updated at least bi-annually.
   

1. The Section Treasurer will maintain a separate accounting of all income and expenses pertaining to the committee.
   

1. The committee has the responsibility for the administration of this account and is responsible for the distribution and collection of funds.
   

1. The SWSOC chain will present each year at the sectional meeting the following report.
   

1. Number of new referees and rating increases
   
2. Prior year financial statement including income and expenses by competition and any other categories requested by E.C. A detailed report should be in writing.
   
3. Proposed budget for next year.
   
4. Any suggestions by committee to improve its function in the future. This also must be in writing so that the new committee may have it.
   
5. The chair will also announce and reward to the division with the highest percentage of new referees and new referee rating increases. The award should be at least $150.00.
   

1. The SWSOC should encourage and enable each division to create their own referee development program that follows or is conducive with the current sectional program. Any division that creates such an approved program will be awarded $250.00 from the committee’s funds to start their program. The program must be self-funded and long-term.
   

1. Levels 8-10
   

1. Recruitment
   

1. Each division to recruit at least one FOC examiner
   
2. Each division offers an FOC seminar at least twice a year.
   

1. Training
   

1. At least three (3) division competitions must be designated as referee training competitions and assign level 8-10 referees to referee.
   
2. Try to have a level five (5) or better referee to observe and train at competitions and to possibly give rating changes.
   

1. Care
   

1. Level 8-10 referees should receive from the section a patch recognizing them as “Southwest Section Divisional Level Referee.”
   
2. Level 8-10 referees who also fence at competitions be offered discount of entry fees, like the referee development tax.
   
3. Level 8-10 referees who only referee should be paid $25.00 per day.
   
4. When announcing final results, announce the name of referee who refereed medal bouts.
   
5. In newsletters (club, division) and websites, list referees who refereed at competitions.
   

1. Levels 6-7
   

1. Recruitment
   

1. Recruitment and develop FOC instructor candidates in each division.
   
2. Identify and recruit potential level 6-7 referees from current competitors.
   
3. Identify and encourage current level 8 referees for promotion.
   

1. Training
   

1. Use sectional FOC instructors to observe and train referees when being used.
   
2. Offer in each division one annual seminar from local FOC instructors or if not available nation FOC instructor at a designated competition. Be sure new rules, interpretations, etc., be included. Instructor must have at least national experience and should have national rating of 5+.
   
3. At all second circuit events, youth and adult, the organizers will bring in a local sectional trainer if available and if not, an outside instructor. The FOC instructor’s primary job will be to observe and train referees at competitions.
   

1. Care
   

1. All 6-7 full time referees will be paid $40.00 per diem by organizers
   
2. SWSOC will develop a coat patch, “Southwest Section Referee.”
   

1. Level 5+
   

1. Recruitment
   

1. Encourage level 6 referees to attend national events for observation and possible rating changes.
   
2. Use level 6 referees for medal bouts if possible at sectional circuit events.
   
3. Recruit high level coaches to get their ratings and to participate in sectional training programs.
   

1. Training
   

1. SWSOC will offer at least annually an elite (6+) referee training seminar with a top national referee (2+ if possible.)
   
2. Encourage level 5 to attend NAC to be observed and obtain rating changes.
   

1. Care
   

1. Level 5 and above referees should be paid $40.00 per day, as well as travel and room.
   
2. FOC instructor brought in to train and observe should receive above
   
3. If national FOC has not created and given, SWSOC will create a patch for “Southwest Section National Level Referee.”
   

1. SSSC competitions and sectionals
   

1. Assess a $5.00 per athlete fee at each SSSC to be paid to section treasurer within 30 days of event.
   
2. Each SSSC will receive $500 for expenses of sectional FOC instructor.
   
3. SSSC will follow this pay scale:
   

1. Increase entry fees by $5.00 per event to cover referee costs.