- NEW RULE 2025 ANYONE MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING AT THE TIME OF THE CONTEST IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE.
- Contestants must provide a candidate and a flag. Neither will be provided.
- Contestants and Candidate must be in the same position as in the Ritual Contest.
- The Flag Charge Salute must be given as printed on the Official Judge’s form.
- Contestants with their Candidates will need to register 15 minutes before the contest. All contestants will be given their time to compete provided by the Ritualistic Committee once all registration forms are received.
- Contestants and Candidates will wait outside the contest room until the Tiler calls them in to perform. The Chairperson will introduce them, and they will be given an opportunity to compose themselves before beginning.
- When the contestant is ready, the Chairperson will give three raps of the gavel. The contest starts when the contestants look down at the They will then go through the complete charge (following Ritual guidelines), leaves his/her station and presents the Flag to the Candidate.
- The Contest will end after the Exalted Ruler returns to his/her station and faces the “New Member” after presenting the Flag and completing the last paragraph ending in “in the preservation and defense of all it represents”.
- After competing, contestants may remain in the room but must be seated in the audience.
- There is a .25 penalty for a repeat performer (one who has competed in this Contest at Grand Lodge) in the Flag Charge Contest. In the Florida State competition if you have not competed in the State competition in the prior 3 years the penalty will be waived.
- Dress Code – Contestants must either wear a SUIT, JACKET & TIE or LODGE JACKET & TIE. Contestants will be downgraded if not conveying to rules 0.25 points or not permitted to compete.
- The judging will be the same as the Ritual Contest, except for:
- PRONUNCIATION (10%)
- WORD ACCURACY (30%)
- DEPORTMENT (10%)
- IMPRESSIVENESS (50%)
- Judges will mark in the same manner as in the Ritual Contest.
- All Judges shall be Grand Lodge Certified Judges.
- Only the Official Judges Form is to be used.
- Scores are to be computed immediately after the conclusion of each contest.
- Scores and final results should be announced on the same day the contest took place.
- Winners will be contacted by contact phone # on Contest Entry Form so they can be present at the General Session Meeting under Ritual to receive their awards.