See also: Recruitment | Tuition Terms | Uniform & Equipment | Band Constitution

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Name

1. The Band shall be registered with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) and known as ‘East Kilbride Pipe Band’ (hereinafter called “the Band”).

Objectives

2. The objectives of the Band shall be the furtherance of piping and drumming in both competitive and social fields, as well as to promote and advance the education of the public in bagpipe music, particularly young people living in and around East Kilbride.

Membership

3. In determining who shall be admitted membership, the Committee shall not in any way discriminate between applicants by reason of race, colour, creed or sex.  However, the Band shall be non-political and non-sectarian in both outlook and personnel.
    
4. The Committee shall keep a register of all Members including the following data:
    
   1. Name and address
   2. Admission and termination dates
   3. Phone number and email address
   4. Membership type – playing (piper/drummer) or non-playing (student)
       
5. Membership of the Band shall cease:
    
   1. On intimation to the Secretary/Pipe Major of a Member’s wish to resign
   2. On the death of a Member
   3. If a resolution is passed by the Committee to remove a Member
       
6. Where the Pipe Major considers that a Member has acted in a manner detrimental to the Band, the player may be suspended forthwith and the matter shall be considered fully and determined at the next Committee Meeting.  At this Meeting, the suspended player shall be given the opportunity to put their case forward, but the Committee’s decision shall be final.
    
7. All Members of the Band are expected to:
    
   1. Respect and abide by the rules of the Constitution
   2. Promote the Band and its activities in a positive way
   3. Attend all practice sessions and public performances
       
8. The Pipe Major or Leading Drummer must be informed as early as possible should any playing Member be unable to attend any practice session or public performance.
    
9. A monthly subscription fee shall be paid by all playing Members of the Band – student Members are required to pay a separate tuition fee on a monthly basis.
    
10. All playing Members of the Band must be registered annually with the RSPBA.

Office Bearers

11. The Members shall elect a Pipe Major for each band, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Quartermaster, each of whom will hold office for a period of 3 years, but who will thereafter be eligible for re-election.
     
12. The Pipe Major is the Musical Director of the Band and is responsible for:
     
    1. The playing efficiency and harmony between its playing sections
    2. The selection and arrangement of all music played by the Band
    3. Ensuring that the pipe corps meet the required standard of performance
    4. Determining the composition of the Band at all public performances
    5. The appearance of all bandsmen when out representing the Band
        
13. Immediately after being appointed, the Pipe Major shall appoint the Pipe Sergeant and Leading Drummer.  The Pipe Major may change these appointments at any time in the best interests of the Band.
     
    1. The Pipe Sergeant carries out such duties as detailed by the Pipe Major and acts as an additional instructor to the pipers.  In the absence of the Pipe Major, the Pipe Sergeant assumes command of the Band and has full powers in that temporary capacity.
    2. The Leading Drummer is responsible to the Pipe Major for the efficiency of the drum corps, arranging suitable drum scores and ensuring that the drum corps meet the required standard of performance.

Band Committee

14. The Band shall be managed by a Committee comprising of 11 Members:
     
1. Pipe Majors and Leading Drummers (from each band)
2. Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Quartermaster
3. Head Tutor and Fundraiser (both elected annually)
4. Playing Member (floating, elected at each committee meeting)
    
15. Should any Member fill duplicate committee roles, then additional Playing Member positions will be added to ensure the correct number of committee members.
     
16. The Committee shall meet once every quarter (minimum) with 7 Members needed to form a quorum.

General Meetings

17. The purpose of the Band Annual General Meeting (AGM) is for:
     
1. Considering the previous Meeting minutes for approval
2. Receiving the Annual Report from the Committee
3. Considering the audited accounts for approval
4. The election of Office Bearers and other Committee
5. Any other competent business of the Band
    
18. The AGM shall be held around the end of September each year with 10 playing Members including either the Pipe Major or Chairman needed to form a quorum.
     
19. The Secretary shall provide not less than 14 days prior notice of all General Meetings and shall keep minutes of each.
     
20. The Chairman shall preside at all General Meetings, and in the event of a tie in voting will exercise a casting as well as a deliberative vote.
     
21. Votes shall be cast by hand only, and only playing Members in attendance at the General Meeting are entitled to vote.  The rights and privileges of a Member are personal and shall not be transferable for whatever reason.
     
22. The Committee may call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) at any time provided that at least 14 days written notice is given to all Members disclosing the nature of the business intended to be discussed at the Meeting.

Finance

23. The Treasurer shall record all financial transactions and bank all monies collected on behalf of the Band. The signatures of the Treasurer and one other Office Bearer shall be necessary for all withdrawals and cheques.
     
24. For the purpose of accounting, the financial year shall end on 31st August each year and the accounts shall be properly audited prior to being presented at the AGM.

Property

25. All items of inventory issued to any Member remain the sole property of the Band at all times and are loaned to that Member during their membership term.
     
26. All Band equipment shall be signed for on receipt by the Member, and shall be returned immediately to the Quartermaster should the membership be terminated. Any loss or damage to uniform or equipment shall be recompensed to the Band.

Loss, Damage or Injury

27. The Band does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to property or injury to Members, which occur during practice sessions or during public performances and other related activities.

Amendments

28. This Constitution, which supersedes all previous constitutions of the Band, may only be amended by a resolution passed by a majority of those present and voting at any General Meeting of the Band.