Consistent with the provisions of the Corporations Act, the Board of Directors, or in their absence the Executive Committee, 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 Board of Directors and the Executive Committee will perform their duties using their best judgement and experience in providing rulings, interpretations, and conducting the affairs of the Society.

• "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

• "Board of Directors" means the body holding powers and authority under the Corporations Act and By-Law No. 1 to manage the affairs of the Society

• "Champion Supreme" means an overall champion for both bands and solo competitors derived from an established process using a cumulative tally of points, subject to Rule C-17 or D-22

• "Competition" or "Contest" means any piping, drumming, drum major or band competition held under the auspices of the Society

• “Developmental” means a player so identified on a submitted band roster subject to rule D-1.2 and Appendix 2

• “Eligible Juvenile Age” means any competitor whose 19th birthday occurs after the contest being entered

• "Executive Committee" means a PPBSO standing committee established under By-Law No 1, Article 10, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and the  immediate Past President of the Society

• “Music Committee” means a PPBSO standing committee established under By-Law No 1., Article 10

• "Officers" means the Officers of the Society as set out in By-Law No. 1., Article 9, 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

• “Transfer” means the controlled process of leaving one registered band to join another registered band

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

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

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

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

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

A-4. Discipline of Members
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A-4.1 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 Committee and one other Society member to be appointed by the President.

A-4.2 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-4.3 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-4.4 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-4.5 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-4.6 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-4.7 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-4.8 Failure to Follow Procedure. Any action of the Discipline Committee taken not in accordance with the above shall be a nullity

A-5 Ombudsman
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A-5.1 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-5.2 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

A-5.3 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.