PPBSO RULEBOOK:
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PART A: GENERAL RULES OF THE SOCIETY
» A-1. Definitions
» A-2. Membership
» A-3. Membership Dues
» A-4. Society Officers
» A-5. Executive
» A-6. Branches
» A-7. General Meetings
» A-8. Head Office
» A-9. Music Board
» A-10. Music Board Committees
» A-11. Discipline of Members
» A-12. Ombudsman
PART B: GENERAL RULES GOVERNING COMPETITIONS AND JUDGING
» B-1. Eligibility to Compete
» B-2. Dress
» B-3. Entries
» B-4. Competitor’s Responsibilities
» B-5. Penalties, Discipline and Protests
» B-6. Score Sheets
» B-7. Adjudication
» B-8. Assignment of Judges
» B-9. Judge’s Conduct
» B-10. Judges Qualifications
» B-11. Certification of PPBSO Pipe Band Adjudicators
» B-12. Certification of PPBSO Piping Adjudicators for Solo Light Music
» B-13. Certification of PPBSO Piping Adjudicators for Solo Piobaireachd
PART C: RULES GOVERNING SOLO COMPETITIONS
» C-1. Admission Refunds
» C-2. Order and Time of Play
» C-3. Conduct and Tuning
» C-4. Grade Structure
» C-5. Grading and Upgrading
» C-6. Open Piping Contest Requirements
» C-7. Grade 1 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-8. Grade 2 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-9. Grade 3 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-10. Amateur Piobaireachd Contest Requirements
» C-11 Grade 4 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-12. Grade 5 Amateur Piping Contest Requirements
» C-13. Novice Practice Chanter Contest Requirements
» C-14. Tune Selection by Piping Competitors
» C-15. Drumming Contest Requirements
» C-16. Contest Results and Prize Presentation
» C-17. Champion Supreme Point Structure
PART D: RULES GOVERNING PIPE BAND COMPETITIONS
» D-1. Membership and Band Rosters
» D-2. Transfers of Players Between Bands
» D-3. Band Passes
» D-4. Competition Draws and Playing Times
» D-5. Massed Bands
» D-6. Minimum Numbers of Players
» D-7. Substitute Bass Drummer
» D-8. Runners
» D-9. Final Tuning
» D-10. Contest Performance
» D-11 Lateness
» D-12. Tune Requirements
» D-13. Medley Contest Requirements
» D-14. Leaving the Field after Competition
» D-15. Duty Band
» D-16. Method of Determining Winning Positions in Contests
» D-17. Best Pipe Section
» D-18. Best Drum Corps
» D-19. Best Bass Drummer
» D-20. March and Deportment
» D-21. Prizes and Travelling Expenses
» D-22. Band Champion Supreme Awards
POLICY FOR DEALING WITH HARRASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION
APPENDIX I: PROPER HIGHLAND DRESS
PART A: GENERAL RULES OF THE SOCIETY
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The Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario is incorporated under
Ontario laws and, in order of precedence, is bound by the Ontario
Corporations Act and Regulations, Letters Patent, Supplementary Letters
Patent, By-Laws, General Meeting motions carried, Executive Meeting
motions carried, written rules, and unwritten directives of Society
officials. Although every attempt has been made to ensure compliance
and compatibility with these documents, nothing in these rules should
be interpreted as authority to deviate from the provisions of the
documents which take precedence. Part A of this rule book is offered as
a summary for guidance only and is not intended to conflict with the
Ontario Corporations Act and Regulations, Letters Patent, Supplementary
Letters Patent or By-Laws. Consistent with the provisions of the Corporations Act, the
Executive, or in their absence the Officers, are legally empowered to
manage the affairs of the Corporation including the authority to
interpret rules. These rules are as complete as past experience has
deemed appropriate, but as unanticipated circumstances arise, the
Executive and Officers will perform their duties using their best
judgement and experience in providing rulings, interpretations, and
conducting the affairs of the Society.
A-1. Definitions
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“Affiliated Organization” means the Royal Scottish Pipe Band
Association, the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, or any
other organization which is the subject of an affiliation resolution
adopted by the Society; “Champion Supreme Contest” means a contest which has been
designated a Champion Supreme Contest in advance by cumulative tally of
points to determine an overall champion for both bands and individuals;
“Competition” or “Contest” means any piping, drumming, drum major or band competition held under the auspices of the Society;
“Executive” means the Board of Directors of the Society, as created by
the Supplementary Letters Patent of the Society, which consists of not
more than 25 individuals, being the Officers of the Society and the
President, First Vice-President and Second Vice-President of each
Branch of the Society;
“Music Board” means the PPBSO standing committee established under By-Law 96-1
“Officers” means the Officers of the Society: the President, the
Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer of the Society;
“PPBSO” and “Society” mean the Corporation known as The Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario;
“Proper Highland Dress” means a minimum of the requirements as set forth in Appendix 1.
A-2. Membership
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A-2.1 Eligibility. Membership is open to any individual who subscribes
to the objects of the Society as described in its Supplementary Letters
Patent; is registered with a Branch; and has paid prescribed dues.
[1994] A-2.2 Branches. Every member must be registered with a
Branch, but a member may not be registered with more than one Branch at
a time. [1994]
A-2.3 Applications. Application for
membership in the Society is made to the central registry appointed by
the Executive for processing memberships. Applicants must indicate the
branch with which they wish to be registered. [1994]
A-2.4 Membership Cards. Membership cards shall be individually mailed
to each member of the Society unless a submitted band roster indicates
that the member is registered with a band, in which case, membership
cards shall be forwarded to the band representative for distribution.
[1990, 2001 AGMs]
A-3. Membership Dues
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A-3.1 Amount of Dues. The amount of annual membership dues and the
amount of dues credited to the branches shall be as set by the
Executive from time to time. [1994] A-3.2 When Payable. Membership dues shall be due and
payable by the date of each Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the period
following the AGM until the next AGM, or by January 1st of each year
for the following year, whichever is the later, subject to sub-section
(i) and (ii) hereof:
(i) Membership dues shall be paid a
minimum of seventy two (72) hours prior to the member competing in a
PPBSO sanctioned solo event.
(ii) Notwithstanding (i)
above, for an individual wishing to compete with a band in a PPBSO
sanctioned event, membership dues shall be paid a minimum of fourteen
(14) days prior to the event. [Executive, 1988, 2004 AGM]
A-3.3 Discount for Early Payment. Any member paying dues by January 1st
of a year shall be eligible for any discount established by the
Executive from time to time. [1991 AGM; Executive, 2000]
A-4. Society Officers
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A-4.1 Number of Officers. There shall be four officers of the Society:
the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer. A-4.2 Election of Officers. At an annual general meeting
duly called for that purpose, Officers shall be elected for a two-year
term by the membership. The terms of President and Treasurer shall
expire in an alternate year to the expiry of the terms of
Vice-President and Secretary. [Special Resolution, 1998 AGM]
A-4.-3 Eligibility. No person may be an Officer unless he or she is a member of the Society. [Supplementary Letters Patent]
A-5. Executive
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A-5.1 Executive Board of Directors. The affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by a Board of Directors called the “Executive”, and
the Directors may be called “Members of the Executive”.
A-5.2 Size of Executive. The Executive shall be comprised of not more than twenty-five (25) member individuals.
A-5.3 Composition of Executive. The President, Vice-President,
Secretary and Treasurer shall be members of the Executive, as well as
the President, First Vice-President and Second Vice-President of each
Branch.
A-5.4 Standing Committees.
Games
Negotiating Committee. A committee shall be formed and chaired by the
Society President and shall consist of at least three members of the
Society and the Vice President of the Society for the purpose of
negotiating terms with the Games Committees. The results of
negotiations are reported to the Executive for approval.
Highland Ball Committee. A committee shall be formed and chaired by the
Secretary of the Society or delegate and shall consist of at least
seven members, four of whom shall represent the four Champion Supreme
bands receiving awards at the ball. [1997, 2003 AGM] Governance
Committee. A committee shall be formed by the Executive to review
matters related to governance, by-laws and rules and make
recommendations to the Executive. [Executive 2006] Marketing and
Promotions Committee. A committee shall be formed by the
Executive to promote piping and drumming to the public. [2006 AGM]
A-5.5 Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business of the Executive
shall be the lesser of ten Directors present in person or two-fifths of
the Executive present in person. Participation through telephone or
other simultaneous electronic means is also deemed to be present in
person. [Supplementary Letters Patent, 2007 Executive]
A-6. Branches
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A-6.1 Branches. The membership of the Society shall be divided into
seven Branches, as follows: the Toronto Branch; the South Eastern
Branch; the Western Branch; the Niagara Hamilton Branch; the Ottawa
Branch; the Windsor Detroit Branch; and the Northern Ontario Branch. A-6.2 Branch Officers. Each Branch shall elect the following officers:
(i) the Branch President;
(ii) the Branch First Vice-President;
(iii) the Branch Second Vice-President;
(iv) other Officers as may be prescribed by by-law.
A-6.3 Branch Officers Members of Executive. Each Branch President,
Branch First Vice-President and Branch Second Vice-President shall also
be a member of the Executive of the Society.
A-6.4
Branch Annual Meetings. Each Branch shall hold an annual meeting of its
members at least every fifteen (15) months, and the Branch Officers
shall be elected at the meeting. [Supplementary Letters Patent]
A-6.5 Chair of Branch Meetings. All branch meetings shall be chaired by
the Branch President, unless the President is absent or relinquishes
the Chair, in which case the meeting shall be chaired by the Branch
Vice-President as the next most senior Officer. [1994]
A-7. General Meetings
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A-7.1 General Meetings and Annual General Meetings. The Executive may
call general meetings of the members from time to time. The Society
shall hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of its members at least
every fifteen (15) months, and the Officers shall be elected at the
meeting. [1994] A-7.2 Notice of General Meetings. Each member shall be notified of the date of any general meeting by mail. [1990 AGM]
A-7.3 AGM Motions.
(a) Motions made through branches. All motions to be considered at a
Society AGM must be made and approved at a properly constituted Branch
meeting.
(b) Motions provided to members. All motions to
be considered at the Society AGM must be provided to the members in
writing two weeks prior to the date of the AGM. All Branches must have
their motions delivered to the Executive at least one month prior to
the AGM. [1993 AGM]
(c) Motions made at AGM. All motions
must be made at the AGM in person by a duly authorized member of the
Branch which has previously approved the motion.
A-7.4
Votes at Meetings. Subject to Rule A-7.5, each member individual shall
have one vote on each motion before each meeting of members of the
Society or a Branch.
A-7.5 Band Votes at Meetings.
Notwithstanding Rule A-7.4, the Chairman of a meeting of members of the
Society or a Branch may rule any motion to be of relevance solely to
bands, in which case the Chairman’s ruling shall be final, binding and
unappealable, each band shall have one vote on such motion, and member
individuals, as such, shall have no vote on such motion. Band votes may
be cast by the registered pipe major, drum instructor, band manager, or
band member holding written authorization signed by the registered pipe
major, drum instructor, or band manager authorizing the member to vote
on behalf of the band. [Supplementary Letters Patent, 2002 AGM]
A-7.6 Chair of Meetings. All General Meetings and Annual General
Meetings of the Society shall be chaired by the Society President,
unless the President is absent or relinquishes the Chair, in which case
the meeting shall be chaired by the Society Vice-President as the next
most senior Officer. [1994]
A-7.7 Tie Votes. Any tie vote shall be broken by the vote of the Meeting’s Chair. [1994]
A-8. Head Office
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A-8.1 The Head Office of the Society shall be located in Milton, Ontario. [Special Resolution, 1998 AGM]
A-9. Music Board
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A-9.1 Establishment of Music Board. In accordance with By-Law 96-1, a
Music Board consisting of seven members shall be appointed by the
Executive. The number of members of the Music Board may be increased or
decreased by a decision of the Executive.
A-9.2 Function of Music Board. The Music Board members shall elect from
their members a Chair and a Recording Secretary and hold at least four
meetings annually to provide recommendations to the Executive. The
Music Board coordinates the initiatives of the Music Board Committees.
A-9.3 Representation. The Music Board, through the attendance of the
Chair or designate, shall have non-voting observer representation at
Executive meetings. The Executive, through the attendance of the
President or designate, shall have non-voting observer representation
at meetings of the Music Board and Music Board Committees.
A-9.4 Eligibility. The Executive shall consider suitably qualified
candidates for the Music Board and Music Board Committees satisfying at
least three of the following criteria :
(a) Current Adjudicator — holding at least one “A” certificate.
(b) Open Competitor — past or present.
(c) Pipe Major, Pipe Sergeant, Lead Stroke — past or present
(d) Current Teacher.
(e) Specialist expertise such as public relations or promotions. [By-Law 96-1]
A-10. Music Board Committees
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A-10.1 Establishment of Music Board Committees. As set out in By-Law
96-1, the Music Board shall recommend annually, or as necessary,
candidates to the Music Board Committees for approval by the Executive.
A-10.2 Types of Committees. Committees shall be established in support of the Music Board activities as follows:
(a) Grading Committee.
(b) Adjudicators’ Certification Committee.
(c) Teaching Committee.
(d) Incentives and Recognition Committee.
(e) Promotions Committee.
(f) Competitions Committee.
A-10.3 Eligibility. The criteria established in A-9.4 shall apply to
candidates being considered for appointment to Music Board Committees.
A-11. Discipline of Members
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A-11.1 Discipline Committee. A Discipline Committee shall be
established to be composed of the President, Vice President and
Secretary of the Society plus one member of the Music Board and one
other Society member to be appointed by the President. A-11.2 Discipline Committee Meetings. The President
shall call a meeting of the Discipline Committee upon the written
request of any three members of the Society or any one member of the
Executive. The President shall chair all meetings of the Discipline
Committee and shall have the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
A-11.3 Powers of Discipline Committee. The Discipline Committee shall
be empowered to deal in disciplinary terms with either individual or
band members who are alleged to have committed a violation of the Rules
of the Society.
A-11.4 Penalties. The Discipline
Committee shall be empowered to levy the following sanctions against
any members for a breach of the Society’s Rules and Regulations:
(i) reprimand;
(ii) fine;
(iii) suspension;
(iv) expulsion.
These sanctions may be imposed singularly or cumulatively with the
exception of expulsion, which may only be imposed singularly.
A-11.5 Notice to Member to be Disciplined. No such disciplinary action
may be taken against any member without prior written notice to the
member which shall:
(i) set out clearly the date, place and time of the meeting of the Discipline Committee;
(ii) set out the nature of the charges which the member is required to answer;
(iii) contain a warning that in the event of the failure of the member
to attend, the meeting may proceed in his or her absence;
(iv) be received by the Member at least 7 days prior to the meeting.
A-11.6 Appeal.
(a) Notice of Appeal. Any member affected by a decision of the
Committee shall have the right to appeal such decision to the general
membership. Such appeal shall be launched by a notice in writing
received by the President within 7 days of the date of the decision,
which shall be accompanied by the sum of $25.00 to be credited to the
general funds of the Society.
(b) General Meeting. The
President shall call a meeting of the general membership, who shall be
notified in the usual manner. The President shall chair all such
meetings and in the event of a tie shall have the deciding vote.
A-11.7 Suspension of Penalty Pending Appeal. During the period in which
any appeal of a decision of the Discipline Committee is pending, the
decision shall be of no force and effect.
A-11.8 Failure
to Follow Procedure. Any action of the Discipline Committee taken not
in accordance with the above shall be a nullity. [1975 AGM]
A-12 Ombudsman
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A-12.1 Ombudsman. The Executive may establish the duties of the role of
Ombudsman and designate a person to perform these duties. The Ombudsman
is a neutral party, neither an advocate for the members of the PPBSO
nor for the PPBSO Executive. The Ombudsman’s main role should be to
help resolve complaints informally. The Ombudsman is an alternative
channel of communication meant to complement, not replace, the
Executive of the Branches or Parent Body of the PPBSO. A-12.2 Scope and Duties. The Ombudsman shall be
responsive to issues as they apply to the rules and regulations of the
current issue of the PPBSO rulebook. The Ombudsman shall not be
required to address requests nor complaints dealing with issues outside
the bounds of the current issue of the PPBSO rulebook. The duties of
the Ombudsman include:
(i) Remaining impartial to all individuals;
(ii) Listening to members concerns;
(iii) Keeping information confidential;
(iv) Providing information and coaching.
(v) Identifying resolution options and facilitating options with fairness and within the law.
(vi) Addressing the root cause of problems as well as specific issues. [2002 AGM]
A-12.3 Limitations. The Ombudsman avoids taking sides, breaching
confidentiality unless there is a threat to the safety of a member or
legal responsibility to inform, making management decisions for the
Executive of the Branch or Parent Body, or setting policy. [2001 AGM]
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