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Application for flag days in 1997 invited

Organisations wishing to hold flag days next year to raise funds to finance services which they provide are invited to apply to the Social Welfare Department (SWD).

About 50 flag days will be allocated next year.

"Applicants must be bona-fide non-profit-making charitable organisations registered under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance," a department spokesman said today (Sunday).

"All applicants will be considered by the Subventions and Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee (SLFAC) on the merits of the service or special projects for which fund-raising through a flag day is proposed, the applicant organisation's financial needs, and the organisation's ability to execute such fund-raising activities," the spokesman said.

Explaining the allocation criteria, the spokesman said each application would be considered basically in the following aspects:

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an assessment of the management capability of the applicant organisation. This is important since public collection of money are involved;

the nature of the services provided by the organisation, and the demand for such from the community;

the financial need of the organisation based on its annual budget, operating surplus/deficits, availability of other funding resources, and planned projects; and

the organisation's ability to organise fund-raising activities and to maximise the benefits of a flag day.

The spokesman emphasised that expenses in connection with a flag day should not exceed 10 per cent of the gross receipts, and that successful applicants need to observe the conditions for holding flag days as laid down on a public subscription permit issued under the Summary Offences Ordinance.

Application forms can now be obtained from SWD Headquarters, Room 920, ninth floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, in person or in writing.