Association Blueprints
March 16th, 2003
After approximately five years of researching and testing ideas, we are working on a proposed starting point for a Pipe Band Association for South America.
We have reached the conclusion that the major barriers we are facing are the following:
This would be a Pipe Band Association beginning with 7 pipe bands, at first spread throughout 4 countries (other pipe band associations have at least 20-30 pipe bands and concentrated in only one country, or region within one country).
What kind of structure allows a dynamic management throughout 4 countries? (5 countries if we include the solo piper in Paraguay).
What can be done to foster piping, drumming, pipebanding, etc. in these conditions? i.e. what can an association do that pipers, drummers and pipe bands can not do for themselves?
How will this project be funded?
Many of the above issues have been initially answered within the proposal, briefly explained as follows.
Throughout the last few years, more and more has been said about gathering the pipe bands into one event. With views to the First South American Pipe Band Gathering scheduled for April 2004 in Montevideo, this is a proposal for standardising such type of events, in order to have grounds for generalising the know-how and experience for future events of this kind. Furthermore, this proposal includes another set of ideas conceived for pipe band competitions with views to other future events. The standardising of the events aims at pipe bands and soloists knowing what to expect when they are invited to take part in a gathering/competition. This is especially important in this part of the world, given that there is very little collective knowledge about these issues, and initial feelings may not embrace the gathering or competition concepts. These ideas are organised in two approaches: on one side the competitor/judges' point of view, and on the other side the event organiser's point of view.
The idea is to start with a frame agreement for the region's pipe bands, at first only internet-based, and eventually both internet-based and legally-recognized branches in each country. All branches would follow the same Constitution, but legal aspects must be on a local-basis.
Until we agree on a name for the Association, these documents have been published on this website (making use of some 2Mb my IP very generously includes in my connection combo!). Please continue reading below and click on "Constitution draft" and "Sanctioned Events" for more detailed documents.
Looking forward to your comments. Kind regards to all.
SUMMARY
Pipe Bands invited to become founding members (in alphabetical order)
Andes Highlanders Pipe Band (AHPB)
Highland Thistle Pipe Band (HTPB)
Riverside Pipe Band (RPB)
Scottish Link Pipe Band (SLPB)
South American Piping Association (SAPA)
Southern Cross Pipe Band (SCPB)
St. Andrew’s Society of the River Plate Pipe Band (SASRPPB)
Proposed Master plan
| Year | Legal context | Events | Year's main objective |
| 2003 | Internet-based organization | Stakeholders meeting (MVD) | Set general guidelines and objectives (constitution, rules and guidelines for events, logo, etc.) |
| 2004 | First South American Pipe Band Gathering (MVD) | Gain experience in non-competitive issues | |
| 2005 | Legally-recognized Branches (or Headquarter & Branches) | Gathering
(?) Competitions with local judges (?) |
Legal Non-Profit Organisation (for allowing
administration of funds). Fund raising for 2006 competition. www._____.org |
| 2006 | Competitions with international judges | Competitions with international judges, workshops, recitals, etc. | |
| 2007 | ... | Fully operative Association. |