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With the increase of agitation (for political reasons)
at certain parades it must be borne in mind the every adverse reaction
from a bandmember to the orchestrated attempts to disrupt the proceedings
is a victory to those who organized it. Subsequently we urge all member
bands not to allow themselves to be provoked into retaliation. We have
been spat upon in Carnlough and Newcastle, we have been stoned in Toome
and Rasharkin, we all have suffered slights and false accusations.
The answer is simple - do not react! Any deed or action
which would tarnish the reputation of your band or the Association is to
be avoided at all costs.
Another problem area is the rivalry between bands which
exists in most areas. To be, or think yourself to be, better than your
rival is a natural instinct. When that instinct causes you to
intentionally inflict some form of damage or harm to that rival then the
instinct is out of hand. This is where responsible band leadership comes
in. Childish arguments should be discouraged and camaraderie should be
encouraged. We have found that at the Association meeting band
representatives have the ability to pull together to attain a common
cause. This must be transferred to all band members.
With this in mind and to counter the general perception
of bandmember as a whole we have formulated a Code of Conduct to assist
each band.
All bands and their members should remember that they are designed to
enhance our reputation and make parades more attractive to the general
public
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All Association bands
and their respective members shall not, even when provoked, engage in
any action that shames or disgraces their band or the Association.
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All Association bands
and their respective members shall at all times promote a sense of unity
and friendship towards fellow member bands
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No Association band
shall have their color party dressed in paramilitary garb (i.e.combats
and bomber jackets) while on parade
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On arrival for a
parades no Association member of a band should leave their mode of
transport carrying any alcoholic beverages
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No Association member
of a band shall be seen to be urinating in a public place
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All Association bands
whose parades are due to start at a specific time should ensure that it
is advertised as such. Likewise, if their parade is advertised to start
at a specific time, Association bands should ensure that it does so
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Always treat the host
with the respect that you would expect to receive yourself. If you would
like to walk before the main parade has started in order to fulfill
another commitment elsewhere ALWAYS seek permission to do so from your
host.
Never parade early without prior permission from the organizing band. If
it is not permissible or practical to parade early then either wait for
the appointed time or leave the parade and go to the subsequent parade.
We suggest that if the latter applies then a suitable donation be given
to the organizing band
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Always complete the
entire parade route -- Take no “short cuts” without the prior permission
of the host.
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