Information
JUXTAPOSITION
WINTER GUARD HANDBOOK
In order for any group of individuals to achieve success in the goals they are striving to reach, they must all agree to adhere to a standard set of rules and procedures. It is more important to the director that the members of the Winter Guard program truly desire to be a hard-working, disciplined ensemble rather than a large group of people not willing to work together towards a common goal.
The following is a list of rules and procedures for Juxtaposition Winter Guard. If you find that you cannot follow accordingly to this list, the answer is simple, do not become a member of Juxtaposition Winter Guard.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory at all practices, camps, and shows. You will not be excused from rehearsal unless extreme circumstances come about.
Any conflicts with the rehearsal schedule must be cleared by the director. ****Just because your absence is excused does not mean that you will remain in the section of the show worked on at that rehearsal. It is your responsibility to know the work you missed before you attend the next rehearsal.
Any unexcused rehearsal is grounds for dismissal from the guard.
Any missed performance is grounds for dismissal from the guard. The director is the only one who will make the call to dismiss anyone from the guard. As always, we realize that family problems do come up and we will deal with that on a case by case basis. There are not a lot of allowances to the attendance policy due to the fact that the schedule is set and distributed with plenty of time for you to make plans around the schedule. We only practice once a week and it is not fair to the people that are at every practice to allow you to march if you are not going to make the same commitment. All practices are closed to everyone except the teaching staff and guard members until the last half-hour of practice.
SCHOOL WORK
Unlike most Independent Guards, we are concerned that you have time to do your schoolwork. We do everything on our end to make sure that you have that time, but that means you have to plan and do your part also. If you know you have practice or a show weekend, then get your work done before you come. We have had lots of college and high school students march here who have had no problems in marching guard, going to school, and working during the season. The bottom line is - be prepared and manage your time wisely. You will be happy and so will we.
WORK
Because the schedule for the entire season is handed out at the start of the year, work is not an excuse to miss a practice or show. Take your schedule in and talk to your boss about your schedule, and you will find that most of the time, things can be worked out. If you find that there is just one day that cannot be worked out, you need to speak with us about it and we will see what can be worked out. Having such a problem once is one thing; having it happen all the time will mean that we will probably dismiss you from the guard. You will find that we are usually very reasonable with things as long as you know things in advance and come and speak with us.
FEES
Fees are non-refundable if you decide to quit or if you are dismissed due to behavior problems. A fee schedule is handed out so you can make financial plans that best fit your income. You need to make every effort to pay the fees by the deadline. If it is going to be tough for you to do, you must have a least half of the fees down by the deadline. Once you fill out your payment form you must stick to it. If you do not, you will not be allowed to perform until it is caught up. We understand that there can be issues with money but understand that this guard pays NO staff so all of the fees that you pay go directly to things that you need as a guard. So, please make sure you are ready to deal with your fees. We have never turned a member away because of financial problems. If you have a problem, please come and speak with us.
BEHAVIOR
Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. You must be on your best behavior at all practices and shows, or whenever you are spending the night somewhere. Any inappropriate behavior and you will be dismissed from the guard, no questions asked. The director holds the right to dismiss any member or staff at any time for not representing the guard in an appropriate manner.
RESPECT
You are to respect all staff, members, parents, and members of other guards. We will be spending a lot of time together, so fighting will not be tolerated. You may not like someone but you do have to respect them, so learn to get along. The quicker you become a family, the faster you will become a good guard.
EQUIPMENT & PROPS
Once you have made the guard, we will provide you with the equipment you need for the season. Once your equipment is handed out, you are responsible for it. You need to make sure it gets to and from practice. If equipment is returned to us damaged beyond normal wear and tear, you will be charged to replace the equipment. The floor, props and sound system are very expensive, so please take good care of them and do not eat or drink around them.
GUARD JOBS
We do not use captains, so this means everyone carries equal weight. Each member will be assigned a set job for practice, camps and shows, and are expected to carry them out without having to be told. This puts a lot of responsibilities into your hands and makes you work together as a team.
TRAVEL AND OVERNIGHTS
When we leave to go to shows or camps, you provide the transportation. You can ride with each other, but we all leave as a group and travel as a group. When you arrive at a show, you are there to do what the guard is there to do, which means you will do only what the guard is doing until your performance is over. After the performance, you will all load and put stuff away, then you will meet us to make sure everything is done. Then, and only then, are you free to leave the show site, but you must return to unload the truck in Columbus. Once you are at a show or camp, you are not allowed to get in your car and go anywhere unless we have said it is okay. If you leave without us knowing, you will be dismissed from the guard. When we spend the night somewhere, you stay wherever the guard is staying, no questions asked.
FORMS
If you are under 18, your parents or legal guardian must sign your paperwork. You need to bring a copy of your birth certificate, your medical insurance card and a completed medical release form. We cannot allow you to rehearse or perform without it. Winter Guard International (WGI) requires us to carry a copy of your birth certificate so that we can prove the age of our members if we are ever questioned. All forms must be on file by the 3rd practice or you will not be allowed to practice or perform with the guard.
PARENTS or GUARDIANS
Please get your family and friends involved. We can use help at our major fundraisers with people working them or finding donations. We can use help loading and unloading the truck at show sites. And we can always use them in the stands cheering for you.
RULES and POLICIES
1. There is NO SMOKING on school grounds or at shows. If you need to smoke at a plce that allows it, you must clean up your butts!!!! Or better yet, just don't smoke.
2. NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL - We understand we have a wide range of ages in the guard and some of you are of legal age, however when you are on a trip with the group, there is to be NO PURCHASE OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL BY ANY MEMBER OF THIS GUARD. Please keep in mind that you are considered to be starting your guard weekend from the moment you leave your house until the moment you get in your car to go back home at the end of the weekend. If at any point during that time the director questions a member on consumption or purchase of drugs or alcohol, the member will be questioned and then at the discretion of the director, could be removed from the guard for the rest of the season.
3. No stealing - if cought you will be removed from the group.
4. No destruction of any facility we use. You will be charged for anything you damage or destroy.
5. Always leave any place we use looking better than when we got there. EVERYONE helps clean up.
6. No gum or candy in your mouth while you are on the floor at a show or practice.
7. No rings or watches on during practices or shows.
8. Wear appropriate clothing to practices and shows.
9. EVERYONE helps to load and unload the truck. It is part of being in the guard.
10. Be on time to practice. If you are not there on time, and we have not heard from you, we will attempt to get in touch with you. If we cannot reach you within the first 30 minutes of practice, we will assume you have quit and your spot will be closed that day. So, make sure you call, not email, if you are running late or are sick that day.
11. if you are sick you need to call 2 hours prior to the start of practice to let us know. If you can make it at all you need to try to be there and do what you can for that day.
12. WEATHER - We will practice as scheduled unless you get a call from us. If the weather is bad in your area, you need to call us ASAP and let us know. If you do not hear from us 2 hours prior to the start of practice, then assume we are practicing. Shows are hardly ever cancelled, so if it is a performance weekend, plan that we will have a show.
If you need to see a schedule because you have lost yours, check on the website
www.juxtawg.org
If you need to reach Steph please call 440-915-6830 or email at sfurn@aol.com
