Important Decisions Following the RSPBA AGM

The hybrid AGM was conducted from RSPBA HQ in Washington Street, Glasgow, on March 14, with the majority of directors and some local band representatives present in person. Others joined online. A total of 49 bands attended.

Two major decisions which will be of interest are: 1 The Music Board and Format Group will consider a limit on the maximum number of registered players in a given band: 22 x pipers and 11 x side drummers. This would create a more even competition. Views will be sought from the bands.

By Jackie Allan, Marketing Convenor

2 Police Scotland and Federation Pipe Band put forward a case for a transfer window between the end of the contest season, and December. Outwith this window, a Pipe Major or Leading Drummer could not transfer unless with the full consent of both bands. There was an understanding of the logic behind this to protect bands from collapse, and the transfer window was agreed as 1 September to 30 November.  It was carried.

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All the reports, including the Auditor’s Report, were accepted by the members, with the only query being on some errors in the new website. David Hunter was formally adopted as the Director for Dundee Perth and Angus.

The proposed changes to Standing Orders and Rules were agreed.  Five of these pertained to juvenile bands

• Removal of Rule 3.13.1 to allow juvenile players to carry out the role of Pipe Major
• New rule 3.13.2 to allow juvenile players within the same organisation to play on both pipes and drums (all drums counting as 1) with the proviso they play their primary instrument in their higher grade band. 
• Rule 3.17.  ID for juveniles –  Members required more clarity on the wording to confirm which documents were acceptable as proof of age so this was withdrawn.
• Rule 4.29  – a tidying up of the wording to clarify the playing up of Juvenile bands in minor contests
• Rule 4.51.1. In a Novice Juvenile B competition the band will advance directly to the contest area and form up in the circle. This saves time compared to forming up on the line and then forming up in the circle. 

The easement of numbers that has been in place since Covid was confirmed via a change to Rule 4.43 and removal of Rule 4.44.  This confirms that for all bands except Grade 1 a band must have a minimum of nine players, six pipers, two snare drummers and one bass drummer.  A Grade 1 Band shall comprise not less than 12 players: eight pipers, three snares and a bass.

The Music Board recommended a minor change of wording to clarify that adjudication is from the first stroke of the introductory three-paced roll (previous wording being the first stroke of the first three pace roll) on the Quick March.  This was agreed after some discussion.

Bands should note that trophies must now be returned in a clean and good condition EIGHT weeks prior to the contest date. The previous period of one month did not allow sufficient time to rectify problems.

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Under a special motion, Closkelt pipe band from Northern Ireland asked that all critique sheets should be made available to all bands. Robert Mathieson on behalf of the Adjudicators Panel felt that this would lead to negative criticism and personal attacks on adjudicators. He noted that improvements came from within a band, not by comparing with other bands. There was also much discussion about GDPR and privacy. HQ noted that the under-copies of the critique sheets are too faint to scan. The motion was defeated with 84% against.

In AOCB the points of note were:

• The Stewards have requested that Registration is closed at 1300 hrs on a championship day  as registration is run by the Trophy Convenor.  Agreed
• The third notice of motion on Best Bass trophy was withdrawn by Closkelt. 
• Closkelt was disappointed that the accounts still failed to include a detailed breakdown of expenses per major championship.  

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