RE: [VAL] Re: Flag display

["dtidmore" <dtidmore@xxxxxxx>]

"Correct angle" between the poles?  You've got to be kidding!  You are, 
aren't you?

No, I was not kidding.  Max Carmichael, the Int Pres who pointed out the
rule basically dismissed it as well, but it still is in the Blue Book and
the busy body types always look for rules to use as a hammer (ie the MIA/POW
flag issue for instance).   

Just so that everyone can read for themselves, here is the applicable
section for the Blue Book By-Laws, Section POLICY: Flags and Pennants
starting on page 54 issued 7/5/04.  (I have the complete Blue Book in soft
form if anyone is interested is getting it just email me directly).  As you
will see subsection h: For the display of flags on a recreational vehicle,
see Appendix #12.  (1/17/97), sends you to Appendix 12.

6.	Flag Protocol
	a.	National flags may be displayed outdoors from sunrise to
sunset on buildings, on recreational vehicles and on stationary flagpoles.
(1/17/97)

	b.	National flags may be displayed outdoors at night provided
such flags are illuminated by lighting directed at the flags.  (1/17/97)

	c.	National flags should not be displayed outdoors in inclement
weather.  (1/17/97)

	d.	When two or more national flags are to be flown or displayed
together, such flags should be of approximately the same dimensions and
flown or displayed at the same height on separate staffs.  (1/17/97)

	e.	When in another country, the national flag of your country
should not be the only national flag you fly or display.  When you do not
have the national flag of the country you are visiting, do not fly or
display the national flag of your country.  In the latter circumstances, you
may fly or display the flag of your state or province and your flag of
office, if any, or an International Board of Trustees approved Unit or
Intra-Club flag.  (1/17/97)

	f.	The position of honor for a national flag of a country is
governed by the country's order of flag protocol when visiting such country.
(1/17/97)
		When in the United States of America and the only national
flag to be flown or displayed is the flag of said country, the positi of
honor is the center staff and said staff is higher than the other staffs
which may be flying or displaying state and Officer flags.  (see Appendix
#12)  However, when one or more national flags of other countries are to be
flown or displayed with the national flag of the United States, the position
of honor for the latter national flag is on the left as viewed by persons
facing the flags.  When one or more national flags are to be flown or
displayed with the national flag of the United States, all such flags shuld
be of approximately the same size and each on a separate staff and all flown
or displayed at the same height.  (see Appendix #12)

		When in Canada and only two flags are to be flown or
displayed, e.g. the national flag of Canada and the national flag of another
country, or a provincial flag or a flag of office, the position of honor of
the national flag of Canada is on the left as viewed by persons facing the
flags.  (see Appendix #12)  When three flags are to be flown or displayed
the position of honor for the national flag of Canada is the center staff
and when more than three flags are to be flown or displayed the position of
honor for the national flag of Canada is the left staff. When two or more
flags are to be flown or displayed each flag is to be on a separate staff
and all flown or displayed at the same height.  (see Appendix #12)
(1/17/97)

	g.	At all National, Special Event, Region and State Rallies and
at other events or functions of the International Club being attended by an
International Officer or by a Member of a Unit from another country, the
national flags of the United States of America, Canada and Mexico shall be
honored equally during opening and closing ceremonies and while on display
during the Rally, the event or function.  It should be noted that an elected
International Officer is a representative of the Members and the Units in
the countries of the United States of America, Canada and Mexico and
therefore the national flags of said countries should be honored equally at
a Rally, event or function.  The United States of America's Pledge of
Allegiance may be omitted at all WBCCI rallies, events and functions held
outside the United States.  (1/17/03)

	h.	For the display of flags on a recreational vehicle, see
Appendix #12.  (1/17/97)

	i.	For the display of flags in an auditorium, a hall, a
classroom or a church, see Appendix #12.  (1/17/97)

I am unable to post the drawing as that would require HTML, but a drawing
for a three flag holder is presented with dimensions along with drawings and
protocol for flag presentation depending on single, triple arched, triple
straight (ie equal height) or 5 arched pole configurations.  As it is
referenced from the By-Laws Policy section on Flags and Pennants and the
words suggestion, recommendation or guideline are not included, the drawing
has to taken as the approved and sanctioned way.  Also, the rest of the Flag
Protocol section in Appendix 12 is actually internationally agreed protocol
that is NOT open to interpretation (ie position, height, etc). It is
interesting that Appendix 12, while showing a 5 flag holder makes NO attempt
to define its dimensions.  So the real issue is whether the By-Laws Policy
sections are to be interpreted as By-Laws or guidelines.  

I TOTALLY agree with Forrest on using good judgement and following the
overriding WBCCI constitution purpose statement, but unfortunately the
By-Laws in the Blue Book are more often used to intimidate and threaten and
confuse and as Hunter pointed out, it is the attitude and way they are used
that turns so many of us away from the WBCCI. 

David