Cold Spring Fire Company Pipes and Drums Bylaws Article I: NAME - - The name of this organization shall be Cold Spring Fire Company Pipes and Drums. Article II: PURPOSE - The purpose of this organization shall be the promotion of the playing of the Highland bagpipe and its music and tradition through the teaching and playing of the Highland bagpipe and Highland pipe-band style drumming, as well as to support the efforts of the Cold Spring Fire Company by performing at events such as parades, funerals, and other Fire Department Functions. The organization will accomplish these goals by training and performing as a bagpipe and drum band. Article III: MEMBERSHIP - Any person who is interested in the objectives and purpose of this organization shall be eligible for membership subject to the following: 1. Pipers: The Pipe Major shall recommend a piper whom he/she feels has sufficient piping capability for membership. Pipers are responsible for learning and practicing band tunes and the techniques and embellishments required for proficiency on the instrument, as well as good maintenance of their instrument. Upon a majority vote of all Band members in favor of this recommended membership at a general meeting, said person shall become a member of the band. 2. Drummers: The Drum Sergeant shall recommend a drummer whom he/she feels has sufficient drumming capability for membership. Drummers are responsible for learning and practicing band tunes and the techniques required for proficiency on the instrument, as well as good maintenance of their instrument. Upon a majority vote of all Band members in favor of this recommended membership at a general meeting, said person shall become a member of the band. 3. Suspension: The Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant shall be empowered to suspend a member from performing in their respective sections at any engagement or competition if they are of the opinion that the participation of that individual would be detrimental to the Band. 4. Termination: Termination of membership shall be (A) at the request of the individual or (B) by a majority vote of all eligible Band members voting at a general, special or annual meeting 5. Fire Department Membership: Band Members are required to become Associate Cold Spring Fire Department Members. The responsibilities of their Fire Department Final Version: November 2006 page:1 of 5
membership are limited to their roles as Band Members. Band Members are required to provide a Physician s notice as their fitness to perform the activities required as band members, most notably marching in parades. 5. All Band Members: All Band Members shall refer to the total number of persons holding membership in the Band. 6. Honorary Members: At the discretion of the Band, a non-playing person may be elected to membership in the band. Such an honorary member will be eligible to hold executive office but is not eligible to vote on any matter before the Band. 7. Uniforms: Band members shall be responsible for the purchase of any uniform articles not supplied by the band, and shall keep their uniforms clean and presentable. Any uniform articles supplied by the band, shall be returned to the band when membership is terminated. Article IV: FINANCES Section 1.The Fiscal year shall run in accordance with the Fire Company fiscal year, from January 1 to December 31. Section 2. No Band member shall be paid for performing with the Band other than reimbursement or expenses for traveling to out of town performances. Such reimbursement shall be authorized by the Band at a meeting. Article V: OFFICERS 1. The officers of the Band shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Pipe Major, Pipe Sergeant(s), Drum Sergeant and Drum Corporal(s). 2. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting. 3. The following offices shall be elected by a majority vote for a one year term: A. President B. Vice President C. Treasurer D. Secretary E. Quartermaster Final Version: November 2006 page:2 of 5
F. Pipe Major G. Drum Sergeant H. Drum Major 4. The Pipe Sergeant shall be appointed by the Pipe Major. 5. The Drum Corporal(s) shall be appointed by the Drum Sergeant. 6. In the event the office of the President becomes vacant the Vice President shall serve the balance of the unexpired term. In other cases, vacancies shall be filled by election. Article VI: DUTIES OF OFFICE A. Executive Office 1. President: When in attendance at general, special or annual meetings, he/she shall preside. 2. Vice President: Shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President. 3. Secretary: Shall conduct the correspondence of the Band, keep a record of membership, keep a record of minutes of meetings and issue notices convening meetings as required. 4. Treasurer: Shall keep correct accounts and books showing the financial affairs of the band. He/she shall present such accounts books for audit by the other Officers prior each annual meeting. He/she shall pay all debts incurred by the Band. He/she shall deposit the funds of the Band in the Fire Company account to be credited to the Pipe Band line item. Disbursements shall be approved by at least two different individual holders of the following offices: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Pipe Major, and Drum Sergeant. 5. Quartermaster: Shall keep on hand uniforms and equipment, which are the property of the Band and issue and receive such uniforms and equipment as necessary. He/she shall keep an up to date record of such. 6. The offices of Quartermaster and Secretary may be held simultaneously by a holder of another office. 7. The Vice-president may also hold the office of Treasurer. B. Functional Final Version: November 2006 page:3 of 5
1. Pipe Major: Shall be responsible for overall musical and performing direction of the Band, for selecting music to be played by the Band, operating a program of instruction to members of the Pipe Corps, tuning all instruments prior to any engagement or competition and requisitioning routine piping supplies as needed through the Treasurer/Quartermaster. 2. Pipe Sergeant: Shall assume the duties and powers of the Pipe Major in the absence of the Pipe Major and assist the Pipe Major as required. 3. Drum Sergeant: Shall be responsible for the direction of the drum corps, for setting the drumming to music selected by the Pipe Major, coordinating drumming with the bass drummer and tenor drummers, operating a program of drumming instruction to members of the drum corps and requisitioning routine drumming supplies as needed through the Treasurer/Quartermaster. 4. Drum Corporal: Shall assume the duties and powers of the Drum Sergeant in the absence of the Drum Sergeant and assist the Drum Sergeant as required. 5. Drum Major: Shall lead the Band in parades, performances and engagements and be responsible for execution of marching orders and maneuvers at the discretion of the Pipe Major. Article VII: MEETINGS Section 1. The annual meeting shall be held during the month of October or November at a time and place set by the President of which all members shall receive notice in advance. Minutes of this meeting will be distributed to all band members within one month following the meeting. Section 2. General meetings shall be held at the beginning of Band practice on a by-need basis at the discretion of the Band President or Pipe Major. The Band membership will be notified of the meeting in advance. Section 3.The President may convene a Special Meeting at any time and will be bound to do so upon the request of four members. Section 4: Except by special invitation, attendance at all special, general and annual meetings shall be limited to Band members and Fire Company members. Section 5. With the exception of honorary members, a Band member shall have one vote on any motion made and seconded at a general, special or annual meeting. Final Version: November 2006 page:4 of 5
Section 6. One half the total Band membership entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. No annual, special or general meeting shall be held without a quorum present. Article VIII: DISSOLUTION OF THE BAND- The Trustees of the Band shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant. In the event of dissolution, the Trustees shall hold all equipment and funds of the Band for a period of not less than three years from the date of dissolution. If at the end of that period the Band has not been re-established, the equipment shall be disposed of and all funds distributed to the Cold Spring Fire Company. Article IX: AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS.- These bylaws may be amended at any general, special or annual meeting of the Band by one-half of the voting membership provided written notice of the proposed amendment is given prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken. Article X: SUBMISSION OF BYLAWS TO THE FIRE COMPANY- A copy of these bylaws, and any future amendments to them, shall be submitted to the Chief of the Cold Spring Fire Company. Final Version: November 2006 page:5 of 5