Participation Rules for Candidates
Upon signing the 2024 Candidate Contract to participate in the Miss Douglas County Scholarship Program (MDCSP), each candidate becomes accountable for following the participation rules below until the day after the annual competition concludes. It is each candidate’s responsibility to read and understand the participation rules below. The parents of any candidates under 18 years of age are also expected to be aware of the participation rules below that apply to them and their child.
All candidates must conduct themselves in accordance with the mission and values of the Miss Douglas County Scholarship Program (MDCSP) at all times.
MISSION STATEMENT: Empowering the next generation of women in Douglas County to lead by providing opportunities for college scholarships, personal and professional development, and community service.
VALUE STATEMENT: Fostering a culture of mentorship and cultivating safe spaces for creativity and individuality among developing leaders.
All candidates must respect the sisterhood by striving to maintain an environment that is supportive and inclusive of all candidates. The MDCSP has a zero tolerance policy for bullying of any kind. Any instances of bullying should be immediately reported to the MDCSP board.
All candidates must conduct themselves professionally and courteously at all times to protect the reputation of the MDCSP and its candidates. These expectations apply to conduct on social media and in public, as well as all interactions with MDCSP sponsors, volunteers, and community members.
All candidates must be dressed modestly and age appropriately at all times, in order to best represent the MDCSP within the community on a daily basis. These wardrobe expectations apply to social media, school, work, and all public appearances.
The MDCSP board has complete charge of all activities during program practices, rehearsals, and events, and has full authority to make decisions governing contacts with candidates.
All candidates must be ready to start practices, rehearsals, and events no later than 10 minutes prior to the start time. Tardiness is not acceptable. A strict schedule is enforced to ensure all candidates have equal and meaningful opportunities for mentorship and help with each category of competition.
All candidates must eat any meals or snacks before arriving at practices and rehearsals. Meals will not be provided by the MDCSP program. It is each candidate’s responsibility to ensure that they have had a proper meal to keep energy levels up during rehearsals.
All cell phones are prohibited during practices, rehearsals, and events. This rule is for the safety and privacy of our candidates. Any cell phone use without prior permission from the MDCSP board will result in the candidate’s phone being taken away until the practice, rehearsal, or event is over.
All practices and rehearsals are considered closed. Only candidates and approved program volunteers are allowed in attendance. Parents may only attend when specifically stated. This rule helps to empower our candidates to be independent and learn valuable skills, like confidence, self-advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
No candidate or their family is allowed to be in the company of or speak to a MDCSP judge, except during sanctioned competition activities. This rule ensures that the competition remains fair and all candidates receive equal treatment.
The following participation rules are specific to dress rehearsal and the day of the competition:
No one is permitted backstage at any time, except security, stage personnel, and program volunteers approved by the MDCSP board.
No one may enter the candidate dressing rooms at any time, except program volunteers approved by the MDCSP board.
No personal hairdressers or make-up artists will be allowed backstage.
All candidates must label their personal property with their first and last names. This includes all shoeboxes, shoes, curlers, make-up kits, clothing bags, etc. Masking tape is suggested because it is easy to remove. Labeling personal property makes it easier to return items when they are left behind after the competition.
There will be limited dressing room space and electric plug-ins backstage during the competition. All candidates must arrive as ready to perform as possible. Only minor touch-ups backstage are recommended.
There will be no additional stage rehearsal time for any candidate, other than that stated on the schedule.
During practices, rehearsals, and events, it is each candidate’s responsibility to stay within earshot of the stage manager and any MDCSP volunteers.
Engaging in any underage or public consumption of alcohol or substance abuse will result in immediate suspension of further participation in practices and rehearsals until the MDCSP board can fully investigate the situation. Any candidate confirmed to be engaging in illegal or criminal activities will be disqualified from the 2024 competition.
All concerns and complaints should be reported to the MDCSP board immediately, especially those that impact our mission and values as an organization. A problem cannot be solved unless we know about it.
Upon receiving a report of potential candidate misconduct, which is defined as any behavior that is not in alignment with these participation rules, the MDCSP board will investigate the claim. If the report is found to be true, then the procedures below will be followed:
A member of the MDCSP board will issue a warning to the candidate and the candidate’s parent will also be notified if the candidate is under 18 years of age.
If the behavior causing this warning is corrected, no further action will be taken.
If the behavior persists, the MDCSP board will review the details of the misconduct and vote on the appropriate course of action. Prior to a decision being made, the MDCSP board will provide the candidate a deadline before which they can submit a statement explaining their perspective on the situation. The resulting decision of the MDCSP board shall be final and binding. The most severe determination shall be disqualification from the 2024 competition.