West Houston Girls Cotillion
Rules & Regulations, Consent, Waiver and
Release of Liability Contract
1. In consideration of an offer to register or otherwise participate in West Houston Girls Cotillion (WHGC), or an event sponsored by WHGC, each member of WHGC (“Member”) and her escort (“Escort”), as well as aparent or legal guardian (“Parent”) of each Member and each Escort,must consent and agree to the terms of this Rules & Regulations, Consent, Waiver & Release of Liability Contract (“Contract”). Such Contract shall be effectuated by completing, signing (this) Contract. Members and Escorts may not consent on behalf of their Parents.
2. Membership in WHGC is by invitation only by schools associated, St. Agnes Academy, St. Francis Episcopal, Houston Christian, Lamar High School. Registration to the event is complete when this Contract is signed by the Member, Member’s Parent, Member’s Escort, and Escort’s Parent, and received by the WHGC Executive Board. Membership is not transferrable unless approved by the Board. Memberships are not refundable under any circumstances.
3. Registration and payment information is provided on the WHGC website: www.westhoustongirlscotillion.com
4. Attendance at the event is limited to Members and their gentleman Escorts. Attire is a long, floor-length formal gown for Members and a full tuxedo for gentleman Escorts. Texas tux, boots and hats of any kind are not allowed. Inappropriate attire will be determined by and at the discretion of the Board, and Members and Escorts with inappropriate attire will not be admitted to the event and will not be eligible for any refund of monies.
5. No alcohol, tobacco or drugs are allowed at the event. Members, their Escorts, and personal belongings are subject to search. Breathalyzer testing may be required at the discretion of the Board or security hired by the Board for the event. Any Member or Escort who engages in unlawful acts or inappropriate behavior, as determined by the Board, will be asked to leave immediately, and the Member’s membership will be terminated with no refund.
6. Any Member or Escort exhibiting unacceptable behavior (e.g., under the influence of alcohol, drugs, smoking, fighting, lewd dancing, or foul language) or in the possession of alcohol, drugs or tobacco will not be allowed into the event or will be asked to leave immediately. If asked to leave, the Member’s membership will be terminated and will not be eligible for any refund.
7. The Parents of each Member and each Escort accept full responsibility for their student’s observance of all rules and are responsible for any damage caused directly or indirectly by their student to the venue, any service provider, and/or any attendee or chaperone at the event.
8. Parking & Transportation: Parking is not available for Members at the event. Members and Escorts will not be allowed to drive to the event. Members and Escorts must arrive and leave by driver; driver can be a Parent, professional car service, party bus or Uber/Lift. All vehicles are subject to inspection prior to the event.
9. Members and Escorts must arrive to the event by 8:15 p.m. Members and Escorts are required to register with the check-in table upon arrival. Members and Escorts may not leave the event until 10:30 p.m.
10. Prior approval from the Board must be obtained for any late arrivals or early departures, and the Member and Escort must check-in and/or check-out with an WHGC representative.
11. Members and Escorts will not be admitted to the event unless the Board has received a complete registration for the Member and Escort, including a signed event Reply Card and a signed Contract acknowledging that the Member, her Escort and each of their Parents agree to the terms of this Contract.
12. Backpacks, oversized purses, and overnight bags are not allowed. Coats, shoes and purses may be checked, but WHGC is not responsible for any damage or loss relating thereto.
13. Failure to comply with the terms of this Contract is grounds for dismissal from the event without any refund.
14. Members who have their membership terminated are not eligible for membership the following year.
15. WHGC is an organization of volunteers. In consideration of an offer to register or otherwise participate in an event sponsored by WHGC, each Member, Escort, and Parent agrees, for themselves and for and on behalf of their minors, to indemnify, waive, release (the “Indemnity”) and hold WHGC, its Members, Board and volunteers (collectively the “WHGCParties”) harmless from any and all damages, liabilities, causes of action, claims, and losses and related expenses whatsoever arising from or relating to WHGC or the event including as a result of the negligence of the WHGC Parties; provided that such Indemnity shall not be available to the WHGC Parties to the extent that such damages, liabilities, causes of action, claims, and losses and related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the WHGC Parties. Each Member, Escort, and Parent further agrees to indemnify the WHGC Parties with regard to any losses, damages, claims, or causes of action directly or indirectly relating to their, or their minor’s, participation in WHGC, including, but not limited to, the event, and any activities prior to and after the event. Participation in the event is voluntary and the Member, Escort, and Parents assume all risk associated therewith. The WHGC Parties are not responsible for the safety or conduct of any Member or Escort.
16. The Board reserves full discretion in admitting and dismissing Members and Escorts from the event.
17. Members may attend the event with or without a gentleman Escort.
18. Each Member, Escort and Parent acknowledges that there will be photographs and video taken during the event and each consent and agree to the use of these photos and video on the website of WHGC or any photographer designated by WHGC as the event photographer. WHGC is not responsible for the content of the photos or video and any complaints related thereto should be directed to the photographer. This consent and release is without further compensation for the use of such photos and video.