Problem applying for RefPay and request for religious accommodation

Vince,

I am writing to inform you that I am requesting a waiver of the $3.00 fee for the association to send out a check in order to pay me for my services. If you need to bring this before the Board of Control, then I would appreciate being able to participate in that hearing.

I just went to the RefPay site and started the registration process. On the second page, I would have to provide a social security account number, but I have never applied for one of those because of my deeply held spiritual beliefs and training.

Technically, in order to participate in RefPay, I have to open a new bank account. The issue here is that ever since the Bank Secrecy Act was amended with the USA/PATRIOT Act provisions, the promulgated regulations created an absolute requirement for banks to acquire an SSAN from new customers before opening a bank account.

Personally, I believe this provision to be both unconstitutional and contrary to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. However, I am not in a position to sue the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in a suit, as such a suit would have to be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. I simply cannot afford the travel associated with such a suit.

Ultimately, because of my religious beliefs, I will be unable to participate in the RefPay system. It is not that I do not choose to participate, I am being prevented from participating due to the restrictions placed upon opening an account.

Accordingly, I ask that the Board approve a waiver of the $3.00 check fee based upon an accommodation of religious beliefs. I believe this is the least restrictive means for SNOA to accommodate my beliefs, as the "system" is unable to make such an accommodation and is thereby preventing me from participating in RefPay.

Thanx,

Brad Lee Barnhill

Vince wrote:
> Dear Soccer Officials,
>
> As the start of the new school year is now upon us, we want everyone to
> know of a few important changes that are taking place within the organization.
>
> Recently, we traveled to Salt Lake City and met with the founder of
> Arbiter Sports. We wanted information on many aspects of the Arbiter
> including Ref-Pay, a quicker and easier way to pay our officials.
>
> We discussed all of the aspects of Ref-Pay, not just with the founder of
> the Arbiter, but also the founder of Ref-Pay. The Arbiter informed us
> that the association would be the ideal fit for Ref-Pay due to the way that
> the association is currently structured.
>
> Myself and association Treasurer Sheila brought all of this information
> to the rest of the Board of Control and we had much discussion on this
> subject. After looking at all of the benefits that Ref-Pay would bring
> to our association, the Board of Control has decided to go forward with
> the new Ref-Pay system immediately, starting with the fall sports that
> just started. At this time, we will still be paying our officials once
> per month. The first pay day using the new Ref-Pay system for Fall
> Sports will take place on Sunday, October 4th.
>
>
> Ref-Pay is pretty simple:
>
> On the fist Sunday of every month all of your officiating fees from the
> previous month will be transferred to your Ref-Pay account, which will
> be linked to your Arbiter account. At that time, you can immediately
> transfer your money into your checking account, basically direct
> deposit, you can also transfer your money onto a Ref-Pay MasterCard
> debit card in which you must sign up for and receive through Ref-Pay. It
> is a debit card that can be used just like your current banking debit
> card. If you do not want to use the direct deposit debit card options,
> you can sign up and have Ref-Pay send you a check, but that will cost
> you $3.00 per month. Other than the $3.00 fee to have a check sent to
> you, Ref-Pay is totally free of charge to you as an official and to the
> association as a whole.
>
> Here are some of the benefits to you while using Ref-Pay:
>
> 1. Protects your personal and financial information
> 2. Eliminates chances of checks being lost or stolen
> 3. Saves you time and money
> 4. Gets you paid in a fast, easy and secure manner
> 5. Eliminates mail transit and check processing time
>
>
> By going to the Ref-Pay system, the association will no longer have to send
checks
> in the mail which will save the association money with postage charges.
> It will also save the association money on purchasing checks and other
> additional fees that we currently have associated with the way we
> currently handle our payroll.
>
> The Board of Control has also decided that we must pass these
> savings on to you, the members. For the first time in a long time, and
> maybe ever, the Board of Control has decided to lower your game fee
> assessment effective immediately. Your game fee assessment will be
> reduced from 8% to 7%. The financial situation of the association over
> the last year has improved, so even due to the recent reduction in games
> set by the NIAA and the state of the economy that we are dealing with,
> we feel that there are ways to save the association some money, and when
> these savings take place, we feel it is important we pass them along to
> you.
>
> Over the next few weeks we will be providing much more information on
> Ref-Pay, along with specific instructions and details that you will
> need. You can go to refpay.com <http://refpay.com/> at this time to look
> over the information that is provided on their site.
>
> Also, we appreciate all of the positive feedback received with the first
> on-line Association Newsletter. Gaylon has now completed the August
> edition. If you have any feedback or information that you would like to
> go into the newsletter you can email Gaylon
> at -redacted- . The August edition is ready
> to be viewed at:
>
> -redacted-
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Vince
> President