American Flag Etiquette for Corporate Use Sample by Charleston School of Protocol

FLAG ETIQUETTE FOR CORPORATE USE What you need to know about the flag in front of your office building, in meetings, with international guests and more.

Cynthia R. Grosso Founder of The Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette

PO Box 41113, Charleston, SC 29418 www.CharlestonSchoolofProtocol.com 843.207.1025

Flag Etiquette for Corporate Use ISBN: 978-0-9767841-0-4 Revised edition ÂŠ 2010. Original Copyright 2005 by Cynthia R. Grosso, Protocol Publishing, a division of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Cynthia R. Grosso Protocol Publishing Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc. P.O. Box 41113 Charleston, SC 29418 (843) 207-1025 cgrosso@charlestonschoolofprotocol.com Notice: This is an e-book licensed to the original purchaser only. Distribution or duplication of this book via email, print, compact disk, or in any other form to anyone else is a violation of copyright law and violators are subject to fines and/or imprisonment. Illustrations by Nicole Seitz of Bounce Designs

About Cynthia R. Grosso Cynthia R. Grosso is a corporate etiquette expert. She has been a speaker, teacher and consultant in this arena for more than 15 years. She is the founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette. Prior to her current business, she owned a prominent international modeling and finishing school. In addition to being an award winning speaker and a business columnist, Ms. Grosso has appeared as an etiquette expert on the Dr. Phil Show, Oprah, Faking It and Perfect Proposal reality shows on TLC. She has been written about in Woman’s Day Magazine, Marie Claire Magazine, The New York Times, Esquire Magazine, BusinessWeek Magazine, Golf Digest, Working Woman Magazine, Women’s World Magazine as well as many others. She has been published well over 100 times and is the author of an audio book and several e-books. She is the host of Your Manners Matter radio show. Ms. Grosso is the author of the Professional Savvy Series, an on-line learning program for Professional Table Manners that is the only one of its kind in the world. This program won the bronze medal in the world for excellence in Elearning. Ms. Grosso’s credentials include certification from the Protocol School of Washington. Ms. Grosso is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Business Administration. She is an award winning adjunct professor of business etiquette and protocol at several local colleges. Ms. Grosso is active in professional and civic organizations and in 1999 received the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” award given by the Chamber of Commerce in her area. She has also received the Outstanding Young American Award for outstanding community service given by the United States Jaycees. Ms. Grosso focuses on the critical ten percent...“the polish”, needed for business people to compete and grow in the corporate environment. She speaks to people on an individual, group or corporate level. Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, Inc P.O. Box 41113 • Charleston, SC 29423 CharlestonSchoolofProtocol.com • cgrosso@charlestonschoolofprotocol.com FAX: (843) 207-1024 • Telephone (843) 207-1025

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction......................................................................................................1 About the Flag .................................................................................................2 Resource ................................................................................................2 Handling............................................................................................................. When To Fly ...................................................................................................... Flag Holidays ..................................................................................................... Display on Staffs................................................................................................ Display on Buildings ......................................................................................... Display in Front of Buildings ............................................................................ Display with Other Domestic Flags .................................................................. Resource .................................................................................................. Display with Other International Flags ............................................................. Resource .................................................................................................. Half Staff............................................................................................................ Resource .................................................................................................. How the Flag is Flown at Half Staff ....................................................... Placement in the Meeting .................................................................................. Pledge of Allegiance ............................................................................... The National Anthem .............................................................................. Resource .................................................................................................. The National Anthem .............................................................................. Display on a Corporate Jet................................................................................. Display on Corporate Yachts ............................................................................. Display on Corporate Vehicles .......................................................................... Resource .................................................................................................. Wearing the American Flag ...............................................................................

Flag Lapel Pin ......................................................................................... Flag Patch ................................................................................................ General Usage .................................................................................................... Retiring the Flag ................................................................................................ The Most Common Question ............................................................................ What to do if you see a flag being flown disrespectfully ................................3 Sample letter ...................................................................................................... In Summary .....................................................................................................4 Definitions ......................................................................................................... Credits ................................................................................................................ Additional Resources ......................................................................................... Web Sites ................................................................................................. Books .......................................................................................................

FLAG ETIQUETTE FOR CORPORATE USE

INTRODUCTION “Flag Etiquette for Corporate Use” is a concise, ready reference guide for corporate America. It is designed as an at-a-glance ready reference to address common American flag issues that corporate America is confronted with on a daily basis. Corporate America is faced with the responsibility to honor, display, and respect the American flag in a way that represents them, as well as the flag in a proper and reverent way. Without understanding the protocol associated with the proper display of the American flag, it is true that in trying to show respect for the flag, many individuals and corporations have in fact, shown disrespect. There are no flag police…no enforcement that will fine or imprison people. But just like knowing proper business etiquette, proper flag etiquette also speaks about the professionalism of you and your company. If you disrespect the flag, it may be reflected as a general tone of lack of respect that you, personally and your company, professionally display. Correct corporate use of the American flag is an important protocol that must not be overlooked. This e-book is to help guide the usage for corporate America.

FLAG ETIQUETTE FOR CORPORATE USE

ABOUT THE FLAG The 50 star flag became the “Official flag of the United States” on July 4, 1960. Put into place by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Executive Order number 10834, it was published on August 25, 1959. The flag of the United States is comprised of 13 horizontal stripes, alternating red and white. The stripes are symbolic of the 13 original colonies The Union of the flag is the blue field with fifty white stars. The stars are symbolic of the 50 states. The color red was selected for courage, white for purity and blue for perseverance and justice. The gold fringe that is sometimes seen on a flag is considered an honorable enrichment. RESOURCE http://www.vexilla-mundi.com/index.htm

FLAG ETIQUETTE FOR CORPORATE USE

DISPLAY ON BUILDINGS There is a proper way to display the flag from an office building. If it is not on a staff, it must be displayed flat against the building (no drape) with the blue field (the Union), at the uppermost point to the flag’s own right (vertical or horizontal). The flag code does not specify where the flag must be flown flat against the building.

Title 4/Chapter 1/Section 7/Paragragh O: When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north; when entrances are to the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.

FLAG ETIQUETTE FOR CORPORATE USE

IN SUMMARY In our effort to show respect for the United States, we want to make sure our good intentions show respect for the American flag. Showing respect for the flag consists of more than we sometimes realize. It is not just about the proper display and handling of the flag—whether on a building, on vehicles or in a meeting —or even the appropriate timing for display. It is also about any images of the flag that may be “impressed” upon items of clothing, products and promotions that may be of disrespect. Respecting the flag also honors the strong emotions often evoked by many who see the flag displayed, raised in ceremony, or draped over a coffin. Knowing how to respect the American flag or the flag of any country has always been and continues to be a sign of respect for that country and its people.