1.   What’s the membership dues every year and when are they due?

Membership dues have been set at $500 for the winter season. We strongly stress that membership dues are required to pay for the many expenses required of a competitive winter guard. The staff of Venice Effect does not get paid. Cast Member dues are to be paid in full by the official start of the season in August. These dues will last through the entire calendar year for Venice Effect.

   2.   What equipment do I need to buy?

Each member is required to purchase and maintain their own weapons (rifle and/or sabre), if they want to train on that equipment.

   3.   How do you determine who spins what?

We encourage everyone to train on the equipment they want to. Our philosophy on the guard is that with hard work and determination, individuals can be successful on all pieces of equipment.

For performance, individuals can self select which lines they would like to be a part of – and other times the Directors may make a change based on the skill set and talent level of a particular individual (making sure that each line is equally weighted with talent and ability).

We like individuals to self select if they feel they are not prepared or ready to perform the work that has been assigned. The Directors of the group maintain a very open communication line in order to communicate any performance problems on equipment. Our main goal in the organization is to provide an environment to individuals to learn and to improve technique and performance skills. We are a competitive guard, but our focus is the individual and not the final performance evaluation.

   4.   Are your performances more on the Week nights or Weekends?

Performance schedule for the winter season is generally Saturday’s or Sunday’s, depending on the schedule for the Midwest Color Guard Circuit. If a decision is made to compete at WGI, WGI Finals are in Dayton, and we will need to be in Dayton, Ohio from Wednesday through Friday.

   5.   Other than the Sunday practices what other times do you practice and what is your policy on practices and being able to perform?

Currently our schedule is to incorporate a Sunday evening rehearsal, and only use week nights for special sectionals. These would be an “as needed” basis, and therefore will usually be flexible to a member’s schedule.

Our schedule is set to maximize our short time together and accomplish certain goals each Sunday. Attendance at all scheduled rehearsals is mandatory. Attendance at performances is mandatory. We understand that, at times, cast members will have family commitments that they must attend to. The staff will never tell a member that they cannot attend a family event, but we also expect the cast member to understand that the guard relies on everyone being at all rehearsals and performances. When these family situations arise, the staff expects all cast members to work out the best possible solution to attending both their family and guard obligations. We also require all cast members “catch up” and learn work that was missed on their own time. Rehearsal schedules will not be altered to help individuals who missed prior rehearsals. If a cast member misses scheduled rehearsals before a performance, the decision to have the cast member perform will be at the discretion of the Directors.

   6.   What are the uniforms like and what portion does the member have to pay?

Uniform designs have not been decided on for the winter season. Members are required to purchase their own uniforms for the winter season, although fundraising opportunities may be provided to reduce the cost for each cast member.

   7.   What kind of trips do you guys do?

We will be traveling to the Midwest Color Guard Circuit competitions throughout the Chicagoland area. It is the cast member’s responsibility to secure transportation to all guard practices, performances and meeting locations. If the decision is made to travel to any WGI sanctioned events it is the cast member’s responsibility to incur all costs associated with individual travel needs, including but not limited to, transportation, hotel, food, and any other incidental that individuals may incur.

   8.   What kind of fund raising do you do?

Specific fundraising campaigns have not been decided for the 2009 season. Fundraising is driven by cast members and not organized by the staff of Venice Effect Senior Guard.