KREWE OF CLEOPATRA

RULES, CONDUCT & SAFETY POLICY

The following is the Krewe of Cleopatra’s (the “Krewe”) policy with respect to conduct of, and safety for, float riders and for members at Krewe functions, including but not limited to the Krewe Coronation Ball, Krewe Rendezvous Ball, Parade, pre and post parade parties, meetings, luncheons, and other functions (“Krewe Functions”).  The reading, understanding and acknowledgment of this Policy is a requisite to participate in the parade or other Krewe Functions. Failure to acknowledge this policy will result in a member being prohibited from riding in the parade, without exception and/or participating in other Krewe Functions.  A member/rider must always conduct herself as a lady, in accordance with Krewe rules, regulations, policies and traditions, including but not limited to the Krewe Rules, Conduct and Safety Policy.  Accordingly:

MEMBERSHIP:

• 1. Members must be 18 years of age or older by the date of the parade to apply for membership.
  2. Membership Dues and fees are nonrefundable.
  3. Membership in the Krewe is strictly personal to the member, and memberships are not transferable or inheritable. Although the Krewe currently permits a riding member to allow a female guest to ride in her place if she follows the substitute rules, this is not a right or membership, and the Krewe may prohibit or limit substitute riders in the future.
  4. All substitute riders must be registered with the Krewe prior to riding in the manner prescribed by the Krewe.
  5. The Krewe member permitting a substitute to ride in her place is responsible for paying the administrative sub fee imposed by the Krewe. Administrative Substitution Fee: $225.00. No member may charge a substitute more than the actual amount spent by the member for dues and throws.
  6. Should the Krewe or a (any) member be unable to parade because of bad weather, and if the state, city or parish will not allow a rain out date, refund of dues will not be issued.
  7. Should the Krewe or a (any) member not be able to ride due to mechanical failure of a float, refund of dues will not be issued.
  8. Should the Krewe or a (any) be unable to parade due to local, city, parish, state, and/or federal government mandate, policy, direct or indirect action, or for any other unforeseen occurrence, refund of dues will not be issued.

BEHAVE YOURSELF AND BE SAFE WHILE RIDING:

Violation of any of these rules may result in a fine or dismissal from the Krewe.

1. 1. A rider must be in good health to ride. It is the rider’s responsibility to determine whether they are capable of riding or should be riding in the Krewe parade or participating in Krewe Functions whether due to health or safety reasons. In the event of any question regarding a rider’s health, it will be necessary for her to produce a doctor’s communication note certifying that she is sufficiently healthy to ride.
   2. No one may smoke on a float or in the den! Floats and throw packaging are flammable! No one may use e-cigarettes or vapes on the float either.
   3. Each rider must wear a safety harness always tied to the float and must remain in her assigned position during the parade (except when using the float’s toilet). A rider cannot change her position on the float without the concurrence of the Float Lieutenant, and cannot ride in any place on the float not designated for riders (i.e. railings, top of float, props, etc.). Each new rider will be provided with a safety harness by her Float Lieutenant for the rider’s protection and safety. Each returning rider is responsible for supplying their own safety harness previously issued by the Krewe. At the end of the parade, please keep your safety harness for future Krewe parades. Any rider that misplaces their safety harness in the future will need to purchase an additional safety harness from the Krewe.
   4. Riders may not board or exit the float until both (i) the float is completely stopped, and (ii) the tractor driver opens the gate and permits riders to board or exit the float.
   5. Public drinking on the float is strictly prohibited. Riders should not consume alcoholic beverages. No member may ride while visibly intoxicated. If a rider is observed to be intoxicated, she will be removed from her float.
   6. Food may be consumed on the float, but out of the clear view of the public.
   7. No throwing (or handing throws) until the float reaches the parade formation or in the disbanding area after the parade is over. Do not toss throws to the front or rear of floats – only to the side.
   8. Do not throw sharp or dangerous objects, discount coupons or redeemable items, objects with a political or religious message, objects that might be considered obscene or sexually explicit, discarded cardboard boxes, or items bearing the name or logo of any commercial or for-profit venture or any organization other than the Krewe of Cleopatra.
   9. Only Krewe members, their substitutes, Krewe authorized personnel, and official guest riders are allowed on the float.
   10. GETTING OFF FLOATS NOT ALLOWED ONCE YOUR HARNESS IS ON.  DO NOT GET OFF FLOAT UNTIL PARADE IS FINISHED!
   11. WIGS, HARNESSES & FACE MASKS
       • Krewe members caught without their masks or wigs on while on a float may either be fined and/or expelled from the Krewe.
       • The wearing of masks is mandated by the state of Louisiana for all Krewe members on floats.
       • There are cameras everywhere in the crowds, and social media posts have made this rule more important than ever to follow.
       • Wigs, harnesses, and silver face (eye) masks must ALWAYS be worn while on the floats.
   12. Each rider must respect and obey her Float Lieutenant and must report rule violations and problems to her.
   13. Advertising or other signage on the float is strictly prohibited.
   14. The following activities are strictly prohibited:
       • Taunting parade viewers either by word or gesture;
       • Engaging, appearing or participating in sexually explicit or oriented, indecent, lewd and/or obscene conduct, gestures, costuming, or other such activity;
       • Rowdy or unruly conduct;
       • Possession on the float or throwing from the float of commercial items or items from another entity or sexually explicit or oriented, indecent, lewd and/or obscene devices or items. (A rider may only throw authorized Krewe items and/or generic throws except as prohibited herein.);
   15. THROWING BRANDED OR OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS IS NOT PERMITTED:
       • The only branded items that are allowed to be thrown are Krewe of Cleopatra purchased throws!
       • No throws that are advertisements for a business organization or person are allowed.
       • No throws that are political, religious, or sexual, or that are lewd or crude, or are offensive to any religious group, racial group or nationality are allowed.  We are a family friendly organization.
       • No spears, no fireworks, no silly string, and no alcohol throws.
       • No Hula Hoops (large or small, regular or light up).
       • No food (perishable or non-perishable).
       • No confetti, confetti hand cannons, streamers, or poppers of any kind or material are allowed to be loaded on the floats, nor can they be set off while on the floats or during the parade at any time.  These items are prohibited from all Cleopatra Events, including but not limited to, the Rendezvous (ball), any parade day activities and parties (pre-parade party and after party).
   16. No rider may have more than 30 signature glasses as throws.
   17. PLASTIC BAGS & GARBAGE:
       • Do not throw plastic bags or garbage of any kind off the floats!  Boxes are not allowed on floats and may not be thrown off floats. Please keep all plastic bead wrappers and garbage on the float in an empty bead bag.
       • This ordinance is enforced by the City of New Orleans.

WEAR THE REQUIRED COSTUME:

• 1. All riders must wear their Krewe-issued masks, wigs and costumes at all times during the parade.
  2. No rider may remove her mask at any time (we will see you, and we will fine you). A rider may make minor but not excessive alterations to her mask for her own comfort; however, the mask must remain a mask covering her face.
  3. No rider may substantially change the appearance of her mask or costume. In particular, no rider may shorten her costume in a way that can be seen from the street (i.e., no shorter than mid-thigh) or cover it with any clothing (other than clear plastic rain gear if necessary, when raining).
  4. Rider may wear warm clothing under their costumes. However, clothing that covers the arms or neck must be solid black, white, or nude and must be free from visible logos or pictures.

LOAD YOUR FLOAT CORRECTLY AND SAFELY:

• 1. No third party vendors may load float positions or enter the float den.
  2. Only riders or other Krewe authorized personnel are allowed on the float at any time.  Any other persons may be ejected summarily from the float.
  3. No one may alter the float in any manner or affix anything to it, including nails, screws, hooks, troughs, buckets, bead racks, or cup holders, without the authorization of the third-party float builder and/or Krewe prior to the parade.
  4. Throws should be stacked and positioned so that each rider has adequate space to stand throughout the parade. Each rider is allocated a certain amount of space. Please do not infringe on your fellow riders’ space.
  5. No throws may cover any artwork on the float, including throws hanging over the sides of the float. No throws may hang from or cover any of the light bulbs.
  6. Each rider must clean up and remove her discarded boxes, bags, and trash at float loading.
  7. The float loading dates and times will be distributed to the riders before the parade. Riders may not enter the float loading area until the times fixed for float loading.

PROTECT THE KREWE NAME, LOGOS AND PRIVACY:

• 1. Any members list (including float lists) are only for personal use, and members may not share the information with others or use it for any business, political, non-profit or other purposes other than for official Krewe business.
  2. Members may not distribute commercial information at Krewe Functions.
  3. No member may fabricate, duplicate, or sell any item bearing the words “Cleopatra” (other than signature throw glasses) without the permission of the Krewe. Such requests can be made to the Captain in writing. If the Captain approves, in writing, of any such item and it is sold, the Krewe shall receive all financial benefits of the sale.
  4. Any discussion of Krewe policies, Emails, website live-chats, business, text messages, events, dues, any other Krewe-related activities, or other Krewe communications of any kind in public forums is prohibited. Members may not share publicly, post online, or forward to any third party the content of communications, notices, policies, or any other Krewe related activities.  It is prohibited to share any communications of any kind from the Krewe with non-members. No member or substitute may use or permit the use of still or video images taken during official Krewe events for commercial purposes. You can post on social media. You can’t be followed by a camera crew.  No member or substitute may share communications from the Krewe.
  5. The Krewe of Cleopatra logo is trademarked. Duplication is not allowed. Any request to use the logo must be put in writing to the Krewe Captain. Only the Krewe Captain can approve such requests.

ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS:

• 1. The New Orleans Police Department, or such other enforcement agency, may remove a rider violating laws from a float during the parade. Such enforcement personnel may even remove an entire float from the parade.
  2. Members may be held responsible for the rule violations of their substitute riders and will be required to pay their fines.
  3. The Krewe may bar a rule violator from participating in the parade or remove her during the parade.
  4. The Krewe may impose a fine, suspend, or terminate the membership of any member that violates Krewe rules or policies or fails to pay amounts due.
  5. No member or substitute rider who owes the Krewe money for any reason will be allowed to participate in the parade.
  6. There is no guarantee of a particular float assignment.
  7. Once paid, dues and fees are non-refundable.
  8. Event tickets and throw purchases (individual throw orders, package orders and payment plan packages) are non refundable.