.: Steps to Starting a Winter
Guard
This challenging
project will prove to be a very rewarding experience to the
membership, staff, and the management. Many guards are part
of a larger organization or are self supporting. When starting
a competitive guard you should consider the following aspects:
Structure of the Organization
If you are part of a larger organization, the structure will
already be in place. Determine the role of the guard within
the larger framework. Understand the reporting relationships,
job descriptions, goals of the guard relative to the parent
body, etc. Chances are that legal considerations may already
be in place because of the parent body.
If you are starting a new organization,
your structure and foundation is of utmost importance. You
will need to form a management structure taking into consideration
the following:
• Constitution/By laws-Officers
• Philosophy
• Non-Profit status 501 (c) 3
• Tax-Exempt status
• Leadership/reporting relationships
• Job descriptions
• Meetings
• Boosters
• Budget/financial system/insurance
• Goals (long and short term)
Instructors
Instruction will be needed to address the selection of music,
program design, equipment, technique of movement and teaching
and perfecting the product, etc. These duties may be done
by a single individual or several, depending on the resources
available and your needs. In some instances the management
and instructor may be the same individual. If you are a scholastic
guard, don’t overlook the possible talent from your
music faculty.
Members
In order to compete using WGI rules, an Independent A or Open
class unit must all be 22 years of age or UNDER at the time
of the their specific class finals at the WGI World Championships.
An Independent World Class unit may select members of all
ages. Units competing as scholastic guards must have all members
attending the same school or a school that feeds that particular
high school.
Contests
If a local circuit/association is already established in your
general area, contact them for information on membership,
dues, obligations, judging clinics, rules, etc. Most established
circuits have a level of competition for the new/inexperienced
unit. If a circuit is not available in your general area,
contact the WGI office and we will try to help get something
started or direct you to the closest circuit available.
Transportation
The organization will need a mode of transportation to contests;
consider buses, vans, or individual cars. Funds and length
of trips may determine what you wish to use.
Equipment
Obviously, you will need the appropriate equipment which includes
flags, optional rifles and/or sabres. Some units even involve
special props which are an option and these are almost always
designed and/or made by the group.
Rehearsal Facilities
Indoor facilities will be needed with a minimum floor space
of 55’ X 80’.
Housing
From time to time you will need housing for camps or overnight
trips. You will want to check into gyms, hotels, private homes,
rec centers, etc.
Finances and Budgets
This will depend on how ambitious you wish to be. All of the
above considerations involve cost and will have to be considered
in light of your organization and structure. Since the contest
situation does not offer money in a prize structure, fund
raising becomes and important part of your program. There
are tons of websites that offer unique ideas for fundraisers!
Rules and Regulations
Study the rules and score sheets and philosophy of programming
carefully. The staff members should understand them so they
know what is expected of them, and so they can start out with
the greatest opportunity for success. Rules, score sheets
and adjudication manuals can be purchased from the WGI office.
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