PPBSO AGM adds Mini-MSR to Grade 4; MacRae returns as Prez

On the one hand, for once, there was a packed room at the Best Western hotel in Brantford, Ontario, for the November 2nd 2013 annual general meeting of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario. On the other hand, the room had seating only for 40 people, representing about three percent of the organization’s total membership, despite upwards of 800 members living within a 100-kilometre radius of the event.

Ultimately, little of note occurred at the meeting, with the most prominent development being the passing of a branch motion to bring in a “Mini MSR” event for Grade 4 pipe band competitions beginning in 2015. The definition of “mini” will be determined by PPBSO’s Music Committee, but is likely to be two parts each of a march, strathspey and reel.

Other branch motions to add amateur solo piping competition events were soundly defeated, and a proposal to recognize Competing Pipers Association gradings and split the PPBSO Professional piobaireachd category was withdrawn. The organization’s Music Committee will reportedly consider the merits of such a move.

The organization reported a positive bottom-line to its 2012-13 financials, with a surplus of more than $12,000, giving the organization close to $60,000 of liquid assets in the bank.

President Duncan MacRae and Treasurer John Allen were re-appointed to two-year terms by acclamation, when no others stood for the positions. McRae stated in his report that the competitions held in 2013 were on track to be held again in 2014, including the Cobourg Highland Games, which returned to the circuit after a long hiatus, flying in the Grade 1 Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band of Scotland.

Two Directors at Large were appointed to the organization’s board, with Peter MacKenzie and Jim Scott accepting nominations and taking the role by acclamation.

MacRae announced the introduction of a new “President’s Award” for extraordinary services to the organization over the year, and presented it for the first time to James van de Ven of Kingston, Ontario.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:45 pm.