Latest News
At the 71st Annual General Meeting of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch), held on 27th November 2021, Ray Hall stepped down as chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch).
The branch would like to thank Ray for 9 years of loyal service, in which he has done a tremendous job. We appreciate Ray's continued support within the association as representative of the County Fermanagh Section and he is still a valued member of the team.
The RSPBANI has identified a need to refresh their existing organisational website and is keen to explore whether anyone associated with the organisation might be interested in leading the redevelopment. The site is comprised of static pages as well as dynamic content which is all served from several databases and scripting and we currently require someone to maintain all our content. The site needs a refresh and rebranding, supporting all devices with a simple navigation system, and we would like the ability to create content ourselves via a content management system.
Contact michelle.shilliday@rspbani.org to request Expression of Interest details.
Notice from HQ:
We would like to advise you that HQ is now open for business. After the restrictions of Covid-19 it is nice to be back to some form of normality. The office currently operates between the hours of 10 am until 4 pm Monday to Friday.
In our effort to bring normality and a daily routine we are starting to look at some outstanding items since lockdown. The return of Championship trophies is on our priority list and we would appreciate everyone’s co-operation. Please return to HQ any Championship trophies your band has won.
Note that trophies should be returned to HQ in Scotland
Could we please ask that all bands ensure that their player registration and/or transfer forms are submitted into RSPBA Headquarters at the earliest possible time.
As HQ staff have only recently returned, there is a backlog of administration to get through and it is important that all player's forms are submitted quickly to ensure they are on the system in time.
We hope to give our RSPBANI website a refresh.
If you would like to provide feedback to help us best fit your needs then please complete this short survey. Your time will be much appreciated. https://forms.office.com/r/HpMjHFcPsR
Please remember payment of fees for UK bands and Affiliate Associations is due by 30th November 2021.
Late Payment of fees for UK bands and Affiliated Associations will incur a penalty of 20% of the current registration fee which will be applied on 1st December 2021 for any unpaid fees.
Bands from Affiliated Associations/Societies shall be obliged to pay (in Sterling) free from bank charges and other deductions an amount equal to 50% (fifty per cent) of the United Kingdom Annual Membership fee for the year of competing within the United Kingdom.
Championship entries will not be open until 2022.
Link here... Fees and Registrations - RSPBA
AGM
The Branch AGM will be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, 27th of November 2021 at 11 am.
Further details will be announced nearer the time
Nominations for election of Officers and notices of motion for the AGM must be received from band secretaries by the Branch Secretary three weeks prior to the meeting (6th November 2021 at 11am),
We would like to remind bands that they must have paid their RSPBA fees in order to vote at the AGM
Email contact for the Branch Secretary is secretary@rspbani.org
At the recent Branch Meeting, a short discussion took place regarding the 2022 Season,
As there were only a few bands represented on the meeting, a suggestion was made that we arrange another meeting with Pipe Majors and Leading Drummers to discuss the matter further,
We would like to invite you to a Zoom Meeting on Monday 25th October at 7.30pm,
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how bands feel the Executive should proceed in planning the 2022 Season,
i.e. number of contests, festivals, solos
We would also like to discuss the proposed changes to the RSPBANI Sections,
This was discussed at the Branch Meeting and the bands on the meeting recommended that we discuss it with PMs/LDs,
The meeting will be split into breakout rooms consisting of Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2&1,
We will have questions/topics for discussion so that each breakout room can then feed back into the main meeting on the thoughts of each group,
If PM/LD cannot attend, they can appoint another band/committee member to speak on their behalf,
Please RSVP by Monday 18th October to secretary@rspbani.org
Zoom Details will be sent out after we have received the RSVPs