Adventures with the Rotary Canada Flag Program

Posted by Hal Quilliam 
 

Many of us are actively involved in the Rotary Canada Flag Program, and are getting ready  for the first Flag Plantings for the May 24, 2010 long weekend.  Now is the time to   do some sales for new subscribers, and to re-subscribe our existing customers from   2009 for 2010. Those of us who have been active in the program recognize that there   is a high re-subscription rate from previous years and the re-subscription process is easy,   because our subscribers really like to be part of the program.

 

Last week I had an unusual but delightful conversation with a neighbour about the Rotary Canada Flag Program...

 

Editor's note: You can download the 2010 Application From from this website: Form

I was getting something out of the trunk of my car in my driveway, when a car I did not recognize drove up to the end of my driveway and when I looked the driver rolled down his window and indicated he wanted to talk to me.  Maybe he was lost and looking for an address?

 

It turned out to be a neighbour from down the street in his brand new SUV.  He stopped to say "thanks" for starting the Rotary Flag Project in the district.  He said he really enjoyed having all the flags out and seeing the community decorated up to celebrate the three summer long week-ends.  Before he drove away he thanked me again for the Rotary Flag Program, and its success in our district.

 

My continued calls at houses this year confirm the popularity of the Flag Program. It's a great way to introduce Rotary to your friends and neighbours.  Will it promote goodwill and better friendship?  You bet it will! I have lived in this neighbourhood for about twenty years and hardly knew anyone in the district.  Now new friends going by in their cars wave to me.  People talk to me at the shopping centre and address me by name when they see me. 

 

Don't let me have all the fun!  Get involved.  The first few sales are the hardest. After that, people in the neighbourhood want to have a flag.  They want to be part of the celebration of being Canadian and celebrating the three summer long-weekends in Edmonton.  Help us reach our subscription goal for 2010.  Every flag sale counts. Try putting out a few flyers and do some follow ups with your immediate neighbours. You might surprise yourself when they say yes I would like to have a flag.  Of course the

flag outside your own house is your best advertisement.  It's a question provoker.  Our Edmontonians really want to get on board.