NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume VII Number 1; January 2001

WHAT'S UP FOR KUBRICK'S YEAR - A SPACED ODYSSEY?

So the New Millennium really HAS begun at last, and things aren't really any different, are they? WUSPBA still can't publish its magazine, Games organisers still don't know how to run competitions, and no one's come close to making a synthetic chanter reed. Well, as they say, two out of three ain't bad....

I can't really complain - got through the year without too much hassle - except for that little spinal fiasco. We'll take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

Additionally, this column marks the beginning of our FOURTH year on the web, and very enjoyable it's been, too! As Dino used to say, jus' keep those cards an' letters comin', I like the ones with money in'em!

Just spoke to Brian Donaldson of Inveran and looks like we'll be getting some pipes from him in the near future. Inveran, originally Jimmy Tweedie, has been run by Craig Scott since Tweedie's death; Brian came on board just last year after 22 years in the Scots Guards, and a continuing career as one of the top professional players in the world. We'll have pictures up as soon as the pipes come in. You can take a peek at www.inveran.com - we'll be their first Left Coast dealer.

Left: Our new Complaint and Collection Department, headed by Guido on the left and Carmine the Hammer on the right. Shirts and brass knuckles courtesy of Vito's Loan Co., Brooklyn, NY. Many thanks to Vinnie and Maxine for all the help, not to mention the girls at the bar. Hey, Bubbles, keep yer clothes on out heah! Remember, our cheery and professional sales and service staff is ready to serve your needs at all times. Just don't be late with the payments. . . .

 BLACK PART speaks:

Mr. Hossack's recent article, 'Why Do We Have Competitions?' is an excellent essay on what all pipe bands, pipers and drummers should be about. Boiled down to a few words: Stop the politics and just play! Unfortunately, there are quite a few individuals and bands that seem to get more out of the politics than playing. The political shenanigans involve much more than competitions and include the power games played out within the Executive and Advisory Committees: Who shall be allowed to hold an office; who shall be appointed to serve on one of the committees. These power games are played mostly by bands and are used mainly for retribution, including the manipulation of adjudicator lists, and more recently the requirements to be an adjudicator.

I agree with Mr. Hossack that Seamus MacNeil, Donald MacLeod, and Donald Shaw Ramsay would be appalled at the Politics, and the extent that some WUSPBA individuals will go to extract their personal revenge against individuals and bands. These three great men would also be appalled with an organization that treats its solo members like second class citizens. Not one of these great men, who were also great solo performers, would have disagreed with the right of every solo member to cast an absentee ballot. Would they have disagreed with the lawsuit filed last year to gain the right for absentee ballots?

NO!!

 So why the resistance to soloists having the right to cast absentee ballots by the WUSPBA? Well, solo members far outnumber the voting power of member bands. The majority of the soloists are fed up with the petty power games and the politics. Those currently in power, and able to conduct themselves in the manner described would suddenly find themselves voted out office. This is why it is unlikely that the WUSPBA will ever allow absentee balloting. And this is why WUSPBA continues to gain the contempt of most of its solomembers, only a few of which have the backbone to speak out in public. The soloists within the WUSPBA, given the right to vote would end the politics, and redirect the WUSPBA’s focus towards playing and the true fellowship that comes from playing well and helping others to play well.

Congratulations to Jeffery Henderson, Grade 1 Piping and J. Forrest Decker, Professional Piping winners of the year 2000 Angus Macdonald Memorial Competition. Thanks to ByDand and the San Diego Scottish Highland Games Committee for an extremely well run contest.

BLACK PART SPEAKS AGAIN:

Having Just received the proposed amendments to the WUSPBA by-laws I have the following advice, suggestions, and comments:

Proposal #1: The term 'registered competitors' needs definition. Are we talking about just solo competitors here, or bands? If it is bands we are talking about, there could be some very significant impacts on the WUSPBA treasury. For that matter, if it is soloists as well. Imagine having to refund half the registration fees to hundreds of pipers, drummers, and drum majors, if a single event isn't held.

Black Part recommends a NO vote on this proposal.

Proposal #2: Mail in ballots! YES!!! However, the second paragraph requires some discussion as it may still allow a small minority, able to attend the AGM, to impose unfair contest rule changes, or to increase annual dues on the majority, without the majority able to approve, or disapprove such actions.

The argument for this paragraph is that there is discussion, under Parliamentary Procedures, and the ability to amend proposals before voting at the AGM. If the majority of the members, unable to attend the AGM are allowed to vote on such proposals, the discussion and the ability to amend proposed by-law changes would be eliminated. Black Part suggests that any proposal submitted should be well enough thought out that little or no discussion should be required. However, this is a PIPE BAND Association, so no matter what, there will be discussion on most any proposal, no matter how well thought out. This does not relieve the WUSPBA's obligations to the majority of its members to vote on such matters, in fact this is a matter of law in this country. Therefore, if any proposal submitted is changed, or reworded at the AGM, AFTER the AGM it should be submitted to balloting via the mail in method by ALL members. Black Part recommends a YES vote on the first paragraph of this proposal, and a NO vote, or elimination of the second paragraph of this proposal.

Proposal #3: Addition of the Great Basin Branch. Black Part recommends a YES vote. Congratulations, or condolences to Bruce Baxter for taking on leadership of this branch.

Proposal #4: Premier Contests! I thought EVERY contest was important, or premier, or whatever you want to call them. Also the phrase, 'those standards implicit in these contest rules' redefines the 'standards' from recommendations per the opening word of paragraph 5, to whatever the word 'implicit' may be legally manipulated to mean. The fact is, that the WUSPBA RECOMMENDS certain solo events, and that there should be certain numbers of tunes, and/or sets required for the various grades of solo events. Contest sponsors are highly encouraged to follow these RECOMMENDATIONS. However, contest sponsors should have the ability to have 'Kitchen Piping Contests', medley events, and/or exceed the WUSPBA contest recommendations so long as the arts of Highland Piping and Drumming are promoted.

Contest sponsors MUST be encouraged to have as many contests as possible. Solo pipers and drummers MUST be encouraged to participate and attend as many of these contests as possible.

Black Part recommends a NO vote on this proposal as it will actually discourage, rather than encourage more contests and contest participation and attendance.

Proposal #5: Rules and RECOMMENDATIONS for Solo Competitions: Black Part recommends a YES vote on these changes.

Proposal #6: An OFFICIAL Clock. Since this past year the WUSPBA experienced having a band disqualified for appearing late at the contest line, this is probably a good idea. Black Part recommends a YES vote on this proposal.

Proposal #7: And you thought Black Part was the ONLY pirate! Black Part has a lot of empathy on this one for the author. Unfortunately, I don't believe this is an area of concern that the WUSPBA should become involved in. If transferring band members have failed to turn in equipment or met financial obligations there are already clearly defined and established means available for resolution of these matters in the Court System if all else fails. I guess there are some reasons why some pipers and/or drummers may find it necessary to file lawsuits against other pipers and/or drummers after all.

Black Part recommends a NO vote on this proposal.

Proposal #8: The Quick March Medley: Thanks to P/M Bruce Woodley for clarification on this.

Black Part recommends a YES vote on this proposal.

A careful review of the proposals and of the by-laws finds that there may have been an error in the published documents. There seems to be some additional changes proposed to Article IV, paragraph 2). These changes move the deadline for the submission of nominations for officers of the WUSPBA from December 1, to September 1. The names of the nominees who have agreed to run for office are then to be published in the October, and subsequent issues of the WUSPBA newsletter. In addition, nominations for office will NOT be accepted from the floor in the future at the AGM. Black Part believes that the submission of nominations earlier in the year is essential particularly if mail in ballots will be accepted in the future. By no longer accepting nominations from the floor, all band, solo, and contest sponsor members will be aware in advance who may be in office, or not. At any rate, this will greatly enhance the opportunities to become political for those members who like politics more than playing their instruments. It is also bound to enhance member participation overall, as I'm sure there will be some lively debates at band practices and at the social 'gatherings' after band practices. Black Part recommends a YES vote on these changes.

Black Part will see many of you at the AGM in February, unless he gets the flu again, or has some long postponed dental work he has to get done. Until then: Pipers keep your fingers busy; drummers keep your hands to yourself, and contests sponsors, well, we just can't thank you enough for putting up with all of us.

BLACK PART

until next month . . . .