News

National Labor Relations Board Decision to PIAA Registered Officials

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This message was from Dr. Lombardi & Mr. Patrick B. Gebhart:
We have received notification from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Washington that it has affirmed the Pittsburgh NLRB Regional Director’s Decision issued in July 2015.  The NLRB, in a split decision, 2 to 1, has agreed with the Union’s position that our District 7 and 8 lacrosse officials are not independent contractors but are employees of PIAA.
 
We strongly disagree with the NLRB’s Decision that the lacrosse officials in Districts 7 and 8 are not independent contractors.  This Decision is contrary to those of many other authorities who have determined PIAA officials to be independent contractors, including the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, the Pennsylvania Workmen’s Compensation Board, the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
 
We intend to vigorously contest the NLRB’s Decision at the next level, which would be the United States Court of Appeals.  We continue to believe that the actions we are taking are in the best interests of our officials.  Many of you have told us you are extremely concerned about what such an NLRB Decision may mean when it comes to income tax withholding from your game checks, being required to pay dues to the Union, whether game assignments will now have to be made on the basis of seniority, and a variety of other legitimate concerns.
 
Additionally, please understand that this NLRB Decision applies only to a relatively small number of lacrosse officials in Districts 7 and 8, not to the 14,000 or so PIAA sports officials in other sports and in other Districts.  Despite several years now of soliciting officials in other sports and other districts, the Union has failed to gain the support needed to file for an election.  We believe there is a reason for this – that the vast majority of PIAA officials understand that PIAA does not set regular season game fees and game assignments, and cannot speak for the many individual school districts that do establish game fees and other terms and conditions for officiating games.
 
We are grateful to those of you who over the last several years have indicated your strong support for PIAA’s position in this matter.  We remain committed to doing all we can to foster the best positive game experience for all of you.  We are proud of the role PIAA plays in the lives and development of our student-athletes, and we know that it all depends on you the officials!
 
Thanks for taking the time from your busy schedules to read this message.  We will continue to provide periodic updates as developments warrant.  We are looking forward to the beginning of the new school year.  We kindly ask that all chapter secretaries forward this information to your chapter membership.

2017 P.I.A.A. Convention

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The PIAA convention will be held in Harrisburg, PA the weekend of August 4-5, 2017.  If you want to be considered for state play off games, then you should plan on attending the convention.  PIAA requires officials to attend every five (5) years.

Golden Triangle will send 10 members in good standing to the PIAA Convention.  Your registration will be paid by Golden Triangle.   Hotel and other expenses are not included.

If you are interested, the first 10 people to respond will be considered.  Please use this link to get the 2017 PIAA Convention Registration Form fill it out and either email or mail the form to me. (Contact Info Available in Arbiter)

DO NOT send the form in yourself..we must send all forms together with the payment in order to receive the special rate of $95 per member.

The deadline to respond is June 30th.

If you have any questions, please email or call me.

Thank you

Debby McSwiggen

Chapter meeting 3/20/17 @ Martina Center

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Reminder that there is a chapter meeting scheduled for Monday, March 20, 2017 at the Martina Center

Martina Center

5244 Clarwin Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA  15229

This is off the Perrysville Exit of I-279N

We will have access to the gymnasium, which will have a volleyball court set up.  Joe will be discussing and showing the mechanics and responsibilities of the R2.

If you have not paid your chapter dues, the amount now is $45.00 (includes $10.00 late fee)

Thank you

Debby McSwiggen

The meeting will start at 7:15 at the Martina Spiritual Center (Just off of Perry Highway in the North Hills) 

See Directions Below.

Vincent Taliani Obituary

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Vincent Taliani, 89, of West Deer Township, died peacefully Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at his residence with his family by his side. Vince was a 1947 graduate of West Deer High School. He was a lifelong resident of the area. “Barrel”, as he was known to his friends, had an extensive military career. He served his country in the Navy during World War II in the Navy Seabees. He was awarded the Pacific-Asiatic Campaign and the World War II Victory Medals. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force as an airman and was stationed at the Ramstein AFB in Germany. He then joined the Army Reserves and retired after 35 years having attained the rank of chief warrant officer four (CW4). He earned the confidence and respect of all those who served with him. In his civilian career, Vince worked for Gulf Research in Harmarville where he was a lead lab analyst for 25 years. He also worked at Allegheny Ludlum and Scaife Equipment. He was a member Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, Russellton, and was a former Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus JFK Council 5501. Vince was a lifetime member of the Pioneer Hose Volunteer Fire Company in Brackenridge. He played minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics in the Virginia-Carolina League. He was a deputy warden in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Vince also spent a lifetime involved in local athletics as a player, coach and official. He was a founding member of the Upper AK Valley and Northern Allegheny Baseball and Softball Chapter, a PIAA official in the sports of softball, baseball, volleyball and swimming for more than 50 years. He was a player and assistant coach for the state champion West Deer American Legion baseball team. More recently, Nanu was a fixture in the dugout of the Deer Lakes Girls High School Softball team. Vince enjoyed watching all the Pittsburgh Sports teams with his family, gardening, fishing, hunting. Above all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and attending all their activities. Mark and Craig would like to thank Dr. Vasil, the staffs of Heritage Hospice, Care at Home and especially his niece, Rita Dembaugh, for the care they provided to their father. Survivors include his two sons, Mark V. (the late Cindy) Taliani, of West Deer Township, and Craig L. (Lisa) Taliana, of West Deer Township; and grandchildren, Anthony V. (Cathy) Taliana, of Columbus, Ohio, Wesley M. (Ali), of Edinboro, Maria R. and Katrina I. Taliani, both of West Deer Township. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Irene “Renee” Taliani; and seven brothers and sisters, Josephine Hutcheson, Eva, Marie, Ronald, Frank, Lou and John Taliani.
Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in the SIWICKI-YANICKO FUNERAL HOME, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer Township, where parting prayers will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, with a Catholic funeral Mass following in Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. James P. Holland officiating. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Renee, in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Township, with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus JFK Council 5501, 144 Deer Creek Road, Russellton, PA 15076. View obituary online and leave condolences at www.siwicki-yanickofh.com.

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Published in The Valley News Dispatch on Jan. 15, 2017

Al Arke Banquet – November 6th

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The Al Arke Awards Banquet will be held on November 6th, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. This year the banquet will honor Ellen Toy for her commitment to the sport of volleyball, and members of her family will be in attendance.

Here is a link to a short video about Ellen and the Serve First Foundation which she and husband Tim founded.

GTCCVO members’ dinner will be paid for with Chapter funds. The Guest fee is $27 per person and there will be a cash bar in keeping with Chapter Beverage Policy.

You must register in advance by contacting Kathy Snarey with your reservations by October 23rd so as to have a plate count.

Place:                    Wilkins Elks 577

Address               718 Brown Avenue

Turtle Creek 15145

Date:                     Nov 6, 2016

Time                      5:00- 10:00pm

Guess cost:         $27.00 Members free

 

Hors D’Oeuvre Station: Fried petit Shrimp, Wing Dings and Eggrolls

 

Dinner Buffet

Tossed Italian Salad

Potato Salad

Raw Vegetable Tray

Eggplant Parmigianino

Chicken Masala

Oven Roasted Beef

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Sautéed Baby Carrots

Rolls & Butter

Player Overlap 101

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Have you ever had difficulty understanding a new alignment? Are players in their correct position on the court? Where are the potential violations?
Use this handy tool to check. (NOTE: Requires Adobe Flash Player -Will not work on iPhone or iPad)

Want to learn much more? Use this link to view more complex variations for different systems: 6-2, 5-1, 4-2, etc CLICK HERE

Simply move a player or players to a new location. If there is a violation, a Red Line will appear showing the overlap.

Receiving Team

Serving Team

Reminder: Rule 4.3.B – Reads:

“All players, including the libero, shall be in correct serving order. Each right-side player shall have at least part of one foot touching the floor closer to the right ­sideline than both feet of the center player in the corresponding row (except the server and the center back of the serving team). Each ­leftside player shall have at least part of one foot touching the floor closer to the left sideline than both feet of the center player in the ­corresponding row. Each front-row player shall have at least part of one foot touching the floor closer to the center line than both feet of the ­corresponding back-row player.”

Excerpt From: NFHS. “2015-16 Volleyball Rules Book.” NFHS. iBooks.

ArbiterPay (RefPay) is Here

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Whether you like it or not, ArbiterPay is here to stay and more schools in our area are using it. If you work a match at any of these schools you MUST be registered to get paid.

At this Sunday’s (9/11/16) Chapter Meeting we will discuss the implications of ArbiterPay, How To set-up an account, How do I get my money, Is there any cost to me, Will I receive a 1099?

Currently 9 schools are using it or are in the process of setting it up:

  • North Allegheny
  • West Allegheny
  • Mt. Lebanon
  • Baldwin
  • Fox Chapel
  • Keystone Oaks
  • Cardinal Wuerl -North Catholic
  • Plum
  • Moon

In Memoriam: Marty Burke

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6366263_20160828.jpgxIt is with great sorrow, that I inform you of the passing of Marty Burke, a founding father and original member of the Chapter.  Mr. Burke, who is the father of Chris Burke, a current member of the Chapter, passed on Thursday, August 25th, at the age of 90.  He was a cornerstone of this chapter for over 40 years.  Please find his obituary below:
Martin S. “Marty” Burke, 90, of Bethel Park, formerly of Oakland, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016. Marty was the son of the late Martin and Bridget Coyne Burke, of Galway, Ireland. He attended school in Oakland – Cathedral Grade School and Central Catholic High School, enlisting in the Army Infantry (94th Division) in his senior year. He served actively during the waning years of World War II. Upon discharge, he continued his education at Duquesne University – securing his B.S. degree and later his Master in Education and Guidance degree from the University of Pittsburgh. While waiting for a teaching position, he joined the famous Ice Capades and skated for three years throughout Canada and the U.S. Beginning his teaching career, Marty taught at Fifth Avenue, St. Bernard’s and finally, Baldwin-Whitehall. He also coached numerous sports from basketball and baseball to volleyball. He was also a PIAA official for more than 40 years. Upon retirement, Marty stayed very active – skating with the blind, golfing, bowling and skiing into his 80s. He also took part in training our seven collie dogs. Marty is survived by his wife, Marie (McCridden) Burke; his three children, Christopher T. Burke (Janet), Suzanne M. Brown (Kevin) and Daniel M. Burke (Darci); and his six grandchildren, Andy, Kathleen, Danny, Colleen, Ian and Jaden. Marty had five siblings, Mary Connolly, Cecilia McCabe and the late Ann Harper and Thomas and Joseph Burke. Friends received from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at McCABE BROS. INC. FUNERAL HOME, www.mccabebrothers.com, 6214 Walnut St., Shadyside. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Valentine Church, Bethel Park. Interment to follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Published in Pittsburgh Tribune Review from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28, 2016

NEW and IMPROVED PIAA Website

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The PIAA has made improvements to their website (PIAA.ORG) to make life easier for all officials. You can now find key information VERY easily.
Just log into your account (your password is 1st four letters of your last name (ALL CAPS) followed by last 4 digits of your SSN).
Under the ‘ACCOUNT TOOLS’
Click on ‘find Chapter/Chapter Meetings & Attendance Record’
You’ll see your CHAPTER MEETINGS record there (if you officiate multiple sports, you may see multiple sport chapters and your attendance record there also)
If you want to find ANY chapter’s meetings, choose the sport ‘VOLLEYBALL’, season 16/17, and the District. (WE are District 8 and all around us are District 7).
Click ‘SEARCH’ and you’ll find all meetings in the area or across the state (you can also search for ‘Rules’ meetings if you still need to make that up).

Because this information is now available to EVERY OFFICIAL, the Chapter Secretary will no longer list your attendance on the sign-in sheet. Just log on to PIAA to check your attendance record.

Dan Wolfe
Corresponding Secretary
Golden Triangle Chapter of Certified Volleyball Officials

Would You Allow This?

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IMG_4014Would you allow any or all of these players on the court?

Find the answer to this and other rulings by logging in and checking the April 10, 2016 Meeting Minutes.