Form A - Articles of Incorporation
- The name of the Society is: Northwest Territorial Pipe Band.
- The objectives of the Society are
- To form a Highland Pipe Band in the Northwest Territories.
- To assist and train all interested persons in the arts of piping and drumming, and the proper drill related to a pipe band.
- To entertain the general public and be available for ceremonial purposes as may be necessary.
- To receive funds from public and private subscriptions for the aid of the pipe band.
- To promote and endeavour to raise funds through the efforts of the pipe band. [May 2, 1978]
- That the by-laws of the society be changed by rescinding the present by-laws and substituting therefore the by-laws set out in Schedule “A” hereto annexed.
Bylaws
Schedule A
Bylaws of the Northwest Territorial Pipe Band [September 10, 2019]
CAVEAT: Anything in these Bylaws that is inconsistent with the Societies Act is to be read down and the Act must take priority.
Table of Contents
A. Terms of Admission of Members and their Rights and Obligations
B. Withdrawal and Expulsion of Members
C. Mode and Time of Calling Meetings and Quorums and Voting Rights
D. Appointment and Removal of Directors and other Officers and their Duties, Powers and Remuneration
E. Exercise of Borrowing Powers
F. Audit of Accounts
Auditor
Property and Equipment
Instruction Fees
I. Preparation and Custody of Minutes of Meetings of Pipe Band and Directors and of Other Books and
Records
J. Time and Place of Inspection of Minutes, Books and Records
K. Fiscal Year
Official Tartan and Badge
A. Terms of Admission of Members and their Rights and Obligations
1. There are four types of membership in the Northwest Territorial Pipe Band (Pipe Band) as follows:
(a) Band Member -Any person who, in the opinion of the Pipe Major or Drum Major, is considered to be sufficiently proficient in the art of piping or drumming, is eligible for band membership. Band members have right to participate in discussions at meetings, but only those persons who have reached 18 years of age have the right to vote on any issue or business.
(b) Associate Member-Any person interested in promoting or assisting the objectives of the Pipe Band is eligible for Associate Membership. Associate Member have right to participate in discussions at meetings, but do not have the right to vote on any issue or business.
(c) Junior Band Member -Any person, actively pursuing the study and practice of piping or drumming, is eligible for Junior Band Membership. Junior Band Members have right to participate in discussions at meetings, but do not have the right to vote on any issue or business. Junior Band Members can become eligible to be Band Members as in paragraph (a) above.
(d) Honorary Member -Any person who has distinguished himself or herself in the service or assistance of the Pipe Band may be nominated for Honorary Membership by a Band Member or Associate Member or Junior Band Member. Honorary Membership is conferred by a majority vote of Band Members. Honorary members may participate in discussions at meetings and vote on any issue or business, at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
2. Persons eligible for membership shall complete a Pipe Band Membership Application Form, in a form approved by the Secretary-Treasurer, stating the type of membership type solicited, and demonstrate their eligibility. A membership fee, set by the Executive Committee from time to time, must be paid before membership is granted.
- Band Member
- Associate Member
- Junior Member
- Honorary Member
3. Annual membership fees must be levied at the rates set by the Executive Committee from time to time, and must be paid prior to the Annual General Meeting.
4. The application form may be filed with the Secretary-Treasurer.
5. All membership fees must be turned over to the custody of the Secretary-Treasurer.
6. The Executive may determine any other fees to be paid at meetings.
7. The Executive shall decide on membership fees for each of the classes of membership in section 2 at the beginning of the year and provide notice of those fees at the Annual General Meeting.
8. Where two or more members of an immediate family (husband, wife, child) apply for any type of membership in the Pipe Band they shall pay membership fees at the rates given in section 1 above, or at a rate determined by the Executive Committee to be in the mutual interest of the applicants and the Pipe Band, but in no case will the total membership fees exceed twice the rate of a Band Member.
9. All members of the Pipe Band shall have the right to take part in all Pipe Band activities, subject to their conditions of membership as set out in section 1 above. Any member may inspect any book or record on request to the Secretary-Treasurer.
B. Withdrawal and Expulsion of Members
10. Any member may withdraw from membership in the Pipe Band by submitting a notice in writing to the President.
11. Any member may be suspended from the Pipe Band for non-payment of membership or other fees.
12. Any member, whose conduct is considered detrimental to the objectives of the Pipe Band, or who discredits or disgraces the Pipe Band, or who neglects or abuses any property of the Pipe band, may have his membership withdrawn by a resolution passed by a majority of the Band Members.
C. Mode and Time of Calling Meetings and Quorums and Voting Rights
13. An annual general meeting shall be called by the Executive Committee not earlier than 1 October.
14. Special and other meetings of the Pipe Band may be called as needed by the Executive Committee.
15. Notice of any meetings of the Pipe Band may be made by the Executive Committee in any reasonable method it deems appropriate. Such methods may include notice by email.
16. Quorum for any meetings other than Executive Committee meetings is 50% of band members.
17. All Band Members have the right to vote at any meetings of the Pipe Band other than Executive Committee Meetings. Band Members may vote by proxy, in a form approved by the SecretaryTreasurer.
D. Appointment and Removal of Directors and other Officers and their Duties, Powers and Remuneration
18. The following officers must be elected by a simple majority vote from amongst Band Members at the Pipe Band Annual General Meeting:
- Pipe Major
- Drum Major
- Public Relations Officer
- Secretary-Treasurer
- Quartermaster
19. A President and Vice-President must be elected from the Drum Major and Pipe Major only, at the Pipe Band Annual General Meeting.
20. All officers must be Band Members. Any member of the Pipe Band may nominate and second any officer, but voting of these officers to their positions is restricted to Band Members. A simple majority vote is required.
21. All officers are directors under the Societies Act.
22. No officer may receive remuneration from the Pipe Band in respect of performance of their duties or exercise of their powers but may be reimbursed reasonable expenses by the Pipe Band.
23. The following describes the duties of each officer:
(a} Pipe Major: responsible for the selection of tunes to be played by the Pipe Band, progress in piping and standard of piping, and the training of novice pipers, which he or she may delegate. The Pipe Major appoints a Pipe Sergeant to assist him or her and to act as Pipe Major when the Pipe Major is absent. The Pipe Major takes charge of the Pipe Band in the absence of the Drum Major, and takes charge of the pipe section. He or she liaises with the Drum Major to arrange tunes and drill routines for engagements. The Pipe Major assesses Junior Band Members (pipers} for Band Membership.
(b} Drum Major: responsible for the standard of drill and discipline within the Pipe Band, and takes charge of the Pipe Band on parades. Also responsible for the drum section, the standard of drumming, and the training of novice drummers, which he or she may delegate. The Drum Major appoints a Lead Drummer, but may fill the dual role of Drum Major and Lead Drummer. The Drum Major liaises with the Pipe Major to arrange music and drill routines for engagements. The Drum Major assesses Junior Band Members (drummers} for Band Membership.
(c} Secretary-Treasurer: responsible for the keeping of minutes of Annual General Meetings, Special Meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee. He or she is also responsible for the keeping of proper books of the accounts of the Pipe Band, and receives and safeguards dues and donations, or any other income. The Secretary-Treasurer engages in correspondence on behalf of the Pipe Band, obtains quotations on uniforms and instruments and files competition entries as directed by the Executive. He or she also purchases equipment as directed by the Executive. He or she must advise the Quartermaster of all Pipe Band purchases.
{d) Public Relations Officer: responsible for all matters relating to the public relations requirements of the Northwest Territorial Pipe Band. These duties include attending media interviews on behalf of the band and acting as contact person for all band engagements. He or she is responsible for liaison between the band and the general public. He or she is responsible for appointing a Band Member to act on his or her behalf in the event he or she is unable to act. He or she is responsible for coordinating the recruitment of new members and the associated publicity required. He or she is also responsible for maintaining the website.
(e) Quartermaster: stores, issues and receives equipment and property of the Pipe Band as directed by the Pipe Major or Drum Major. He or she keeps an inventory of all Pipe Band equipment and obtains and files receipts for all issues. The Quartermaster may sell to Band Members or Junior Band Members only that equipment purchased by the Pipe Band specifically for the purpose of resale to its musicians and trainees. Income from such resales must be delivered to the Secretary-Treasurer.
24. An Executive Committee of five Band Members must be elected at each Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall consist of a Pipe Major, Drum Major, Public Relations Officer, Secretary-Treasurer and Quartermaster.
25. A quorum of three Band Officers is required for any Executive Committee meeting.
26. A simple majority of decision of the Executive Committee is required for any Executive action.
27. Any Executive member may be expelled by the Executive Committee for proven dishonesty, or for gross misconduct, or for failing or refusing to carry out his duties as an Executive member as provided for in these Bylaws.
28. Executive Committee shall be empowered to enforce all rules and regulations of the Pipe Band.
E. Exercise of Borrowing Powers
29. No authority to borrow is granted under these Bylaws, but the membership may, by resolution at a Special Meeting or Annual General Meeting called for that purpose, grant such authority to the Executive Committee.
F. Audit of Accounts
Auditor
30. At each Annual General Meeting an auditor must be elected for the ensuing year.
31. All funds received by or on behalf of the Pipe Band shall be deposited in the Pipe Band's account in the Bank of Nova Scotia, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
32. All disbursements from the bank account must be made by cheque signed by any two of the following band officers: the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer or Quartermaster.
Property and Equipment
33. All equipment, such as uniforms and parts of uniforms, drums, pipes and accessories or replacement parts of instruments, office equipment and furnishings purchased by or donated to the Pipe Band, including non-returnable trophies awarded to or bestowed upon the Pipe Band, remain at all times the property of the Pipe Band.
34. Uniforms, instruments and any other item which is property of the Pipe Band and issued by the Quartermaster, must be signed out by the recipient member and such items are held in trust by the member for the Pipe Band. The member is charged with responsibility for the proper care of replacement of all such items and has duly acknowledged that these items are held in trust and that he or she is responsible for them as evidenced by the signature of the recipient on the appropriate issue form.
35. The Pipe Band, through the Quartermaster, may issue uniforms and instruments to members, and these items must be returned immediately on request by the Quartermaster or when the members leave the Pipe Band.
Instruction Fees
36. Instruction fees of the Pipe Band and may be levied and set by the Executive at an Executive Committee Meeting.
I. Preparation and Custody of Minutes of Meetings of Pipe Band and Directors and of Other Books and Records
37. The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare or cause to be prepared the minutes of proceedings of the Pipe Band and of the Executive Committee and other books and records of the Pipe Band. The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain these books and records.
J. Time and Place of Inspection of Minutes, Books and Records
38. The Secretary-Treasurer shall allow any Band Member to inspect any Pipe Band minutes, books or records within a reasonable time after the Band Member has requested to inspect them and at a place agreed to by the Secretary-Treasurer and the Band Member.
39. At each annual general meeting, a balance sheet for the preceding year, approved by the auditor, must be available for the inspection of members present.
K. Fiscal Year
40. The fiscal year of the Pipe Band ends on the 31st day of August.
Official Tartan and Badge
41. The official tartan of the Pipe Band is the official tartan of the Northwest Territories as designed by Mrs. Janet Anderson-Thomson (for use by the Pipe Band) and as recorded with the Scottish Tartans Authority, with ITI Number: 662, August 1968 as a Canadian District and styled "North West Territories (District)". This Tartan continues to be recognized as an official emblem of the Northwest Territories under section 5 of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act, S.N.W.T. 2013,c.29. See Figure 1 below.
42. The official badge of the Pipe Band is as shown in Figure 2 below.
*The discontinuous numbering is in order to map onto and comply with specific requirements set out by the Societies Registry.