Eastern United States Pipe Band Association EUSPBA
Members of the EUSPBA,
I am writing this letter (sorry for the length) in an effort to keep everybody up to date on what the Executive Committee (EC) and Music Board are currently working on along with some future projects. There have been many positive changes over the past few months to streamline a number of internal processes. These changes have been made with the goal of being good stewards of the EUSPBA and its finances. As costs rise and membership fluctuates, the EUSPBA has been running a roughly 5K deficit for well over 10 years. The promise of this EC is to get the Association on the right financial track and set a course for the future. I believe we are well on our way!
A major step in achieving this goal was the elimination of carbon copy score sheets. Because of massive printing and shipping costs, the Association will immediately save roughly $7,000 per year. The feedback from Piping and Drumming Directors at games utilizing the new score sheets has been overwhelmingly positive, saving them considerable time and effort.
Completion of our new Membership Portal will be achieved in the coming weeks. Jerry Finnegan deserves much credit for taking on this project. Soon everyone will be able to utilize this new solo and band registration system, saving roughly $5,000. In the test phase, it took me less than two minutes to register two bands. Credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal will be available to register. Band rosters are uploaded during the process and can be monitored by the EUSPBA.
As most know, the Annual General Meeting takes place every November with the Music Board and EC meeting the first week of December to discuss upgrades and other issues. What most don’t know is the tremendous cost of these two weekends. These events can cost between $17,000 to $19,000 for facilities rental, travel, and other administrative expenses. The EC has decided to combine both meetings to be held this year Nov 30th through Dec 2nd with the Northeast Branch slated to host. We estimate saving roughly $10,000. The NE Branch Chair has been tasked with finding a low or no cost venue to hold our meetings near an easily accessible airport hopefully producing even more savings.
It’s not just about saving money, however. Service to our members needs to be a primary goal. We are pleased by the overwhelmingly positive response to the addition of the new Grade 5 competition level. This has not only bolstered our overall membership numbers but has provided a place for truly beginner players to compete. Judges, competitors, and piping and drumming directors have provided wonderful feedback to the EC, and we are very encouraged by the growing Grade 5 solo numbers. We are still on track to add the “Ground Only” event to Grade 5 starting next year.
The EUSPBA mission statement states clearly that this Association has a responsibility to do whatever we can to “assist individuals and bands in reaching, not only their highest competitive potential, but also raising the level of our art.” Education, for me, has been a passion and vocation. Since 2003, my full time job has been Director of Piping at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. I also serve as an instructor at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming in Valle Crucis, NC. I have seen first-hand the importance of quality instruction. We should not simply be an organization built on competition. Rather, this is just one function the EUSPBA serves. Education should truly be another function. I have asked the Music Board, and will soon be asking the Educational Board, for help in creating educational videos, articles, as well as sound files to help those who do not have a full time instructor. These could also supplement any instruction for those who do have a full time teacher. Our video channel will be used as well as other forms of media to accomplish the goal of creating a multimedia storehouse of educational material for members to use at all levels and in all disciplines. We will be reaching out to experts within and outside the EUSPBA for content.
To help support this education initiative I have informed the Executive Committee that I would like to spearhead an effort to start an educational fund separate from the EUSPBA general operating account. While the EUSPBA can donate funds to this, the main purpose would be to work with our members, St. Andrew’s societies, and other organizations to support the education of our arts through our nonprofit status. I envision these funds going toward workshops, helping support our young musicians in attending the Sherriff, McGregor, and Nicol Brown competitions, and the educational efforts mentioned in the previous paragraph. Branch efforts to support educational opportunities not organized by the Executive Committee are another area of possible funding.
I will be meeting with the Association of Scottish Games & Festivals at their annual meeting the first weekend in November. It has been many years since we have had a representative present at their meeting. I hope discussions are fruitful since we are always trying to find ways to improve the relationship between the Games and the EUSPBA. Both organizations have common goals but different sets of challenges, and we can help and learn much from each other.
Other items currently tasked to the EC are the strengthening of the Sanctioning process, refreshing of all EUSPBA documents, setting a budget forecast, and compiling and posting the results of a completed survey sent to our inactive and lapsed members. We are also resurrecting a committee to be led by Tommy Key to look into future Circle of Honor members. In an effort to include some of our most experienced members, I would like to invite the 12 living past EUSPBA Presidents to contribute to this important committee.
In this letter, I wanted to inform you of the activities we have initiated to better the EUSPBA as well as give a thumbnail sketch of our future direction. I will do my absolute best to keep you all informed and involved in the conversation. Communication between the Executive Committee and the membership is key. If I can do anything to help you or your band, or if you have any comments or concerns, please feel free to email me at President@EUSPBA.org. If you have an interest in donating to our new educational fund or if you would like to donate with some special opportunity in mind, please contact me directly at the above email address. I hope to hear from you! Band representatives, please circulate this letter to your band members as they are integral to our present and our future!
Last, but certainly not least, I want to announce the appointment of Past President David Hall to our vacant vice president position. The entire EC looks forward to working with David.
As always, thank you for your time.
V/R,
Jim Dillahey
EUSPBA President
Director of Piping – The Citadel
