These rules supersede all other rules heretofore published by the Association, and shall remain in effect until they are amended or rescinded by the executive committee.

The First Vice-President of the Association shall oversee and have the final say over Competition and interpretation of the judging criteria and competition guidelines.

 A. Conduct and discipline

The promotion and advancement of Shrine clowning is the primary reason for competition participation. For this reason, conduct of all individuals and units must be consistent with the Shrine Code of Conduct.

While each individual must govern himself, it remains necessary that each unit head assist by governing the conduct of his members. Any conduct that would be likely to bring unfavorable criticism upon the Shrine, a Shrine clown unit, or clowning in general, may result in the disqualification of an individual or an entire unit from competition.

2. In accordance with AAONMS rules, participating clowns, acts, or stunts, shall observe the following:
a) Not use any operating flashing emergency type lights or sirens.
b) Not drink any intoxicating beverages before, during or after any parades, performance or public event while in costume.
c) Not wear a costume or use any equipment that will be offensive to this Association or to the general public.
d) Not touch any woman while in costume in public.
e) Not throw items of any kind, including candy, gum, novelties, and/or balloons.
f) Not use any obscene gestures or language while appearing in costume, makeup, or uniform.
g) Not impersonate a woman, race, or minority group which might reflect unfavorably unfavorably upon the Association or the Imperial Shrine.
h) Not smoke in public (the use of dead cigar butts will be allowed for tramp costumes),
i) Not use any live animal, domestic or wild, whether fowl, reptile, etc.
j) Not use full or partial face mask of any type.
k) Strive to look their best as a true clown.
l) Not abuse any spectator by subjecting him/her to practical or humiliating jokes, or by squirting or shocking them.

NOTE: The Competition Director shall have full authority to impose sanctions, up to and including ejection from the functions of this Association, any member who fails to abide by the Code of Conduct enumerated above.

 1. General Rules

B. Eligibility

1. All Units or individuals must be in good standing with their member Temple, (which, likewise, must be a member in good standing of the Great Lakes Shrine Association), and the Great Lakes Shrine Clown Unit Association,.

2. Host Temple Clown Units will provide judges as well as locations for individual competition. In matters of competition judging, judge's decisions shall be considered final.

3. Incumbent officers of the GLSCUA shall not compete in individual competition, but may participate in Unit competition.,

4. The GLSCUA patch shall be permanently attached to the left sleeve, approximately three inches below the shoulder seam of the costume to qualify as a competitor for competition,.

5. An individual clown or clown unit wishing to parade when his/their Temple's units and/or divan are not present, must obtain permission and position assignment from the GLSA. Parade Marshall.

C. Drawing for Positions

1. Drawing for positions of unit skits will be accomplished at the competition site iummediately preceeding competition.

2. A representative of each unit must be present to draw for position. If the unit representative is not present for the drawing, that unit will be ineligible to participate in competition.

D. Presentation of Awards

1. Trophies and awards will be presented at the awards affair following competition, or at such time and place as the resident may direct. Winners will be announced at that time.

 II Judging

A. The GLSCUA First Vice-President shall have the final determination in the selection of judges.

B. Judges will not be selected from units which are participating in competition. Judges should not be vendors at the convention.

C. A minimum of three (3) judges will be utilized. It is preferable that all three have extensive clowning experience and/or a substantial background in make-up experience.

D. Each judge will complete the appropriate score sheets as directed by the Director of Competition. Score sheets will be turned in to the Director for final tallying at the end of competition.

E. No One is permitted to speak to judges during competition., unless answering a direct question from a judge. EXCEPTION: The Director of Competition, or his personal delegate, at the Director's direction.

F. Judging at the GLSCUA Ceremonial Convention will consist of a) Individual Clown Makeup and Costume Competition. b) One Man Paradability, and c) Parade Unit Competition.

G. Judging at the Mid-Year Convention will consist of a) individual Makeup and Costume b) One man skit, c) Unit Skit, and, d) Balloon Competition.

III Categories for Competition and Specific Rules.

A. Parade Units

1) Judging for the parade units will be done at the GLSA parade during the convention session.

2) A minimum of three (3) GLSCUA clowns participating in costume is required for a unit to compete in parade competition.

3) First, Second and Third place awards will be made for both the BEST PARADE UNIT-APPEARANCE and BEST PARADE UNIT-EXECUTION

4) BEST PARADE UNIT-APPEARANCE will be judged on the basis of appearance of the unit, the individuals, and any mobile equipment used.

5) BEST PARADE UNIT - EXECUTION will be judged on the basis of how the Unit is working the crowd with gimmicks, walking stunts, mobile equipment, stunts, etc.

6) Motorized vehicles shall maintain a sufficient distance from the sidelines in order to assure proper safety measures are observed for the protection of parade spectators.

B. Unit Skits

1) Unit skits will consist of two or more members of the same Temple unit.

2) First, Second, and Third place awards will be awarded.

3) Each unit participating in this event shall be allowed only ONE skit with no minimum time limit, and a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes. Each unit will be allowed one (1) minute to set up their props, and one (1) minute to remove the same from the competition ring. These times are in addition to the five minute presentation time. Units not using props will be allowed only the five minute presentation time. Unit skits will be penalized one (1) point per second over the five minute time limit with disqualification one (1) minute in excess of the five minutes for presentation. Time begins at commencement of any introduction or the beginning of any taped sound effect or music.

4) Each unit will confine their skit or stunt to an area not to exceed 40 feet square. (This area will be marked out before the event starts, and may be reduced in size depending on available space in competition facility). Each participating member of the Unit may enter or leave the ring at any time during the five minute presentation alloted. However, once having left the 'ring', a clown MAY NOT return. If any member of the unit leaves the 'ring' and returns, the Unit will be penalized 10 points. Re-entering the 'ring' during the one minute setup and/or cleanup period is allowed, and will not result in penalty.

5) Use of explosive devices (where ot restricted by local regulations), pies, water, props, and slapstick comedy, are helpful tools for good skits. Each skit or stunt must always be in good taste, as children are our audience at every performance. Consider that crowd appeal and laughter influences judges: govern yourself accordingly.

6) The participating unit must restore the skit area to its original condition as soon as the skit is completed (within one minute time limit).

7) Confetti may be used, and may be tossed into the crowd if appropriate. The area where confetti lands need not be cleaned up immediately. It must, however, be swept up by the unit using the same at the conclusion of skit competition.

8) Any skit that causes injury to a spectator will automatically result in disqualification of the competitor(s).

C. Individual Clown Makeup and Costume Competition.

As stated in the following rules, a clown may enter competition in only one category. The individual must decide which category clown he is portraying and declare himself accordingly. There are few absolute rules regarding the various categories. One clown will look upon himself as a Whiteface, while another clown might consider him an Auguste. Certainly the costume and makeup must go hand-in-hand.

1) Any individual clown who meets the eligibility requirements may enter competition.

2) a) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards in each of th four categories will be awarded:

(i) Whiteface (Costumes and Makeup only)

(ii) Auguste (Costumes and Makeup only)

(iii) Tramp (Costumes and Makeup only)

(iv) Character (Costumes and Makeup only)

b) In addition, Top Ten Certificates of Merit will be presented to the top ten clowns in each category upon conclusion of the judging.

3) Clowns will be grouped and presented for judging according to the category they wish to enter. A clown may enter only one category. A clown is eligible to enter a) Makeup and Costume, b) One man skit, and c) one man paradability category. Before each clown enters the competition judging area, dues cards and shoulder patches will be examined, and his name and Unit will be recorded. Judges will know competitors by competition identification number only.

4) Clowns will walk onto the prescribed platform or dias, measuring a minimum of 3' x 3', at the direction of the 'Ring Boss' or Master of Ceremonies. Each clown will make four (4) one quarter (1/4) turns to the right, then strike a pose. When the judges are satisfied, the competitor will be dismissed from the judging area. The next contestant will not enter the judging area until the previous contestant has been cleared.

5) Costume and Makeup: In the four (4) categories, judging will be done from the afforementioned dias. The judges may leave their seats and examine each competitor closely if they choose. However, no judge may touch a competitor's makeup, wig, or costume. During the judgung there will be no objects in a competitor's hand (except for the Character category). Character clowns may carry objects that compliment their character's appearance. They may not, however, 'work' the prop during judging. No movement will be allowed by any competitor other than as detailed in Rule 4 above. No electrical, mechanical, or flashing light(s) may be used.

6) Judging will be based on costume, makeup, facial expression, etc. Talking is not allowed by contestants unless answering a direct question of a judge.

7) Clowns shall observe the Code of Conduct.

8) Makeup must be complete. Exposed areas areas of flesh around the ears and the back of the neck are as important to the clown image as his face and throat areas, and must be covered.

9) Makeup must powdered-down as appropriate.

10) Makeup should compliment the character being portrayed, and should not detract from the overall effect.

11) Gloves are required of all Whiteface and Auguste clowns. Tramp or Hobo clowns may wear gloves as an option.

12) Competition Identification Number: Each member participating in competition will be issued a competition identification which shall be worn on the outside of the costume on front and above the waist, for all competition except balloon competition. For balloon competition, the competition identification number shall be placed with the participant's entry.

D. One man Paradability

Basically a sight gag. An object or prop using signs or vocal expression, which can evoke laughter. It can be anything which can be carried, pushed, pulled, or driven, and does not require setup or teardown time. It should be an object which can be 'reloaded' as the competition is moving, and must be done twice within a one (1) minute time limit. Judging of the One Man Paradability will be done immediately following the Makeup and Costume Competition.

E. One man skit

The use of any magic, illusion, puppet, juggling, equipment, gimmick, etc., which may require a setup or clean-up time. This could include any signs or props which themselves could evoke laughter, but the sight of them is only necessary to complete the skit. Each clwn will confine his skit or stunt to an area appoximately 40 feet square (see skit area discussion under Unit Skit). This are will be delineated prior to the start of competition. The clown may enter or leave the ring at any time during the three (3) minutes presentation allotment. However, once having left the 'ring', a clown MAY NOT RETURN--- his skit is determined to have ended when he leaves the 'ring'. Re-entering the 'ring' during the one minute setup and/or cleanup periods is permitted, and will NOT result in penalty.

A stage crew will be provided to assist with the placement and removal of props prior to and after the skit ends. No assistance during the skit will be permitted. Clowns will be allowed one (1) minute to setup, three (3) minutes to perform the skit, and one (1) minute to tear it down and cleanup.

All four categories of clowns will compete TOGETHER for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies that will be awarded in single skit and one man paradability.

F. Balloon Competition.

1. Single: Any single unit/sculpture made from one (1) single balloon.

2. Multiple: Any unit/sculpture made by using (1) or more balloons consisting of Pencil, Apple, Birds, and Bee. 3" Happy Faces, or any balloon that works in making the sculpture.

The following rules apply to both single and multiple balloon categories:

a) Glue and/or devices designed to hold the sculpture together is/are prohibited.

b) A member may enter only one (1) class of competition.

c) A member need not be in makeup to compete.

d) A member will have fifteen (15) minutes to make his sculpture. Sculptures will then be placed on a table with the competitor's competition identification number. The competitors will then leave the room while judges select winners in each class. Once judging has been completed, the room will be re-opened for public viewing.

e) There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for each balloon category. Contestants may enter only one (1) of these categories, and must declare the category before competition begins.

G. Best All Around Clown

Best all-around Clown (lifetime award to be awarded one time only), will be judged on the basis of competition points earned in all individual competition at the GLSCUA Mid-Winter Convention, and the GLSA Fall Convention. The award will be present at the GLSA Convention and shall be awarded to only one Clown each calendar year.