44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION TO INSTITUTE CHANGES IN ITS POLICIES AND OPERATIONS.

WHEREAS, the New Mexico activities association regulates, directs and supervises all junior and senior high school athletics in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico activities association literature states that it is directly accountable to its constituency and that its member schools have a vote in every matter pertinent to the regulations and by-laws; and

WHEREAS, in practice, policy decisions are often made without an opportunity for the membership to fully and completely participate; and

WHEREAS, the decisions and actions of the New Mexico activities association affect not only individual athletes and teams, but schools, communities, families and individuals throughout New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, public schools contribute fees to the New Mexico activities association, and public school superintendents comprise a majority of the New Mexico activities association board of directors, and thus the meetings, decisions and financial records of the New Mexico activities association should be publicized and made easily accessible to the general public; and

WHEREAS, there is little effort to inform and include this wider constituency in the meetings and policy decisions of the New Mexico activities association; and

WHEREAS, a revision of the New Mexico activities association rulebook to simplify and clarify rules would improve comprehension and compliance by members; and

WHEREAS, development of an equitable, fair and comprehensive system for assigning officials to athletic events would promote retention of qualified officials; and

WHEREAS, development of alternate financing options for the New Mexico activities association could relieve the burden on member schools and secure the stability and solvency of the association;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico activities association and its executive director institute changes in the policies and operations of the association to improve accountability and responsiveness to its members and the public and to address the concerns outlined in this memorial; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the executive director and members of the board of directors of the New Mexico activities association and to all member schools of the New Mexico activities association.