Motion to approve Membership Fee Structure Revision and Membership By-laws

Special General Meeting: September 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM via zoom

Subject: Proposal for Review and Revision of BCPA Membership Fee Structure

Purpose

To seek membership approval of the proposed revision of the current BC Pipers Association (BCPA) membership fee structure. The proposed changes aim to modernize our membership approach, improve communication, inclusivity and fairness, encourage individual engagement, and provide equitable access to association services and competitions.

Background

The current BCPA membership structure, outlined on bcpipers.org, includes several membership types, but does not fully address the evolving needs of our membership base—particularly in areas of:

– Family engagement and affordability
– Clear delineation of individual versus band membership responsibilities
– Consistency of competitor eligibility and data tracking
– A larger personal outreach to our membership with communications

Over time, the structure has become outdated and inconsistent with modern membership practices used by comparable piping and drumming associations. A more transparent, equitable, and inclusive system is needed.

Motion Overview

This motion recommends a revised membership fee structure and associated membership requirements for BCPA members and pipe bands. The revised model will:

• ·         Continue offering a discounted family membership:
  – Up to four individuals in one physical household at the same address.
  – Proposed flat rate: $60 per year with a $10 per member over four
• ·         Implement an individual membership requirement for all competitors, band members  and/or participants: solos or bands
  – Any person wishing to compete in solo or band events must hold an individual BCPA membership, regardless of pipe band affiliation
  – Individuals must be listed on their respective pipe band’s official roster if they are competing in band events along with a current BCPA number
• ·         Introduce a flat-rate individual membership model:
  – Standard Individual Membership: $25 per year  (currently $55, junior$39)
• ·         Revise the Pipe Band Membership fee:
  – Pipe Band Membership: Reduced from current rate to $150 per year (currently $250)
  – This covers band registration, event eligibility, adjudication logistics, and roster management
• ·         Highland Games Competition/Event Membership fee to reduce to $250 with the ability to pay 50% October 1^st and 50% May 1st (currently $275 dur Oct 1st)
• ·         Life Membership no changes as well as Honourary membership language to stay the same

Rationale for Change

• ·         Equity & Transparency: Ensures that every active participant, regardless of solo or band affiliation, contributes equitably to the Association. This ensures that every active member has a say and receives direct communications from the association.
• ·         Affordability: Supports accessibility for families
• ·         Administrative Efficiency: Improves tracking of active members, eligibility status, and participation across events.
• ·         Sustainability: Modest but fair fee adjustments will support continued delivery of high-quality programming, competitions, and educational services to all members.

Proposed Fee Structure Summary

Membership Type	Proposed Fee	Notes
Individual (Standard)	$25/year	Required for all solo competitors and band players
Family (up to 4 members)	$60/year	Flat rate for up to 4 family members in a single household
Pipe Band MembershipHighland Games Competition/Event Membership	$150/year $ 250	Required for all bands competing or affiliatedAbility to split payment 50% in October and May

*Note: Additional family members beyond 4 may be added rate of $10 each.

BYLAW 2 – MEMBERSHIP

• 2.1  The members of the Association shall be those people who are subscribers to the Constitution and Bylaws, and those people who from time to time become members pursuant to the Bylaws.
• 2.2  The members of the Association shall be divided into the following classes: Honourary, Active, Associate, Life, Pipe Band, and Highland Games Association.
• 2.3  Each class of membership shall have the following privileges and/or restrictions:
• 2.3.1  The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint as an Honourary Member any person whose association with the Association may be considered advantageous or who has rendered special service to the Association. Honourary Membership, however, bestows no rights, privileges, or duties of membership and is not recognized as evidence of membership for any other purposes.
• 2.3.2  Active Members shall be active and former musicians of the Highland Bagpipe or Pipe Band Drumming or Drum Major. An Active Member shall be entitled to participate in all the activities and affairs of the Association, and to vote, and to be elected or appointed as a director and to hold office in the Association. The Board of Directors may, in recognition of distinguished service to the Association, appoint an Associate Member as an Active Member. There may not exist on the rolls of Board Members, at any one time, more than three members who have been appointed from the Associate class.
• 2.3.3  Associate Members may be anyone who is not an active or former musician of the Highland Bagpipe or Pipe Band Drumming or Drum Major, and shall be entitled to all the privileges of an Active Member except the right to vote or to nominate.
• 2.3.4  Life Members are Members who are appointed by the Board of Directors in recognition of distinguished service to the Association, and have all privileges of an Active Member.
• 2.3.5  A Pipe Band Member is a group of pipers and drummers that meet the minimum band player requirements as defined in the competition rules of the Association, and is entitled to the same privileges as an Active Member, and shall be entitled to one vote.
• 2.3.6  A Highland Games Association Member is a society, association or corporation that conducts bagpiping competitions, drumming competitions, and/or pipe band competitions under the rules established from time to time by the Association, and is entitled to the same privileges as an Active Member, and shall be entitled to one vote.
• 2.4  Every applicant for membership shall submit to the Association a completed membership application form, agree and adhere to the code of conduct, along with the amount of the current year’s dues and fees and, on receipt by the Association, the Membership chairperson shall enter the applicant on the register of members.

Process for approval

• ·         A Special General Meeting to be held at 7:00 PM on September 18, 2025.  Via zoom.
• ·         Registration will be required and only current active members will be eligible to vote on the changes to the membership structure. 
• ·         The registration information will be distributed via Wild Apricot to all active members in our database.
• ·         The meeting will be to discuss this item only and a secret vote will be held and the proposal accepted or rejected at that meeting.

For comparison to existing Membership information please see the following:

Current Membership Information

Current Membership By-Laws

Current Fee Structure