PPBSO ’06 AGM on Remembrance Day causes upset
October 4, 2006
The Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario has scheduled its annual general meeting and Champion Supreme awards ceremonies on November 11, Remembrance Day, a date that Commonwealth countries in particular hold in solemn esteem to honour those who gave up their lives fighting for their country.
The choice of date has resulted in many members being unable or refusing to attend, include the Toronto Police Pipe and the Glengarry Pipe Band, respectively the Grade 1 and Grade 2 PPBSO Champion Supreme winners.
“I [am] sorry for the date chosen for this event, however we are bound by our PPBSO rules to have the AGM / award ceremonies in November,” said Ron Rollo, PPBSO president. “We tried to change the date but all other Saturdays were booked. We have changed the time to 2 p.m . . . in the hope that it will allow the members to observe the minute of silence at 11 a.m. We also found in trying to find other suitable places to meet that we had to stay with what we had.”
The events are to be held at the Lion’s Club Memorial Arena in Milton, Ontario.
Remembrance Day, known as Veteran’s Day in the United States, is also one of the most active dates for pipe bands and solo pipers who are in demand for parades and official ceremonies.
One band commented, “[We] find it disrespectful and offensive to hold the Highland ball, a night where we celebrate our summer hobby, on the same day that we honour hundreds of thousands of people for risking their lives to uphold the rights and freedoms we all take for granted every day. The band currently has a member serving in Afghanistan, other serving military members, and many family members who fought and in some cases lost their lives in the Second World War.”
Among the items on the agenda for the PPBSO AGM is election of Vice-President and Secretary on the organization’s Executive administration. The posts are currently held by Willie Connell and Barbara MacRae.
Champion Supreme-winning bands traditionally perform at the awards function. The smaller, more casual event in 2005 replaced the PPBSO’s annual Highland Ball.
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From the Rule Book of the PPBSO 2006 as published on their website: 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
Hold the meeting in the first week of December, then. I’m certain the Society’s membership would approve, rather than have to deal with the divisive embarrassment of holding a meeting on a given day because that’s the rules!” Am I out of line in reminding that most of us are required for duties that extend beyond 1400hrs on 11Nov? My band
The inflexibility of the PPBSO Executive, especially when juxtaposed against the above comment, represent a lack care and consideration for the sacrifices made in armed conflict, to ensure the freedoms we all enjoy. Moving the meeting up a few hours, does very little to change this – as it is REMEMBRANCE DAY, not REMEMBRANCE MINUTE. This is one of those occassions where the executive should have the presence of mind to look for an alternative that does not conflict with a national day of solemn reflection and appreciation for those who have served and sacrificed.
The AGM has been held on this date before. Is the Executive being stubborn? Maybe….can they change the date now? I doubt it. Keep in mind however, that if no one shows up to the AGM itself and motions are pushed through because no one was there to vote them down there is no one to blame but the people who didn’t show up. I wonder what excuses people have had in the past for not showing up? The attendance is always poor but the complaints many.