Being “flocked” refers to a popular fundraiser done by youth groups, schools, and other organizations. It involves “flocking” someone’s yard or home with plastic flamingos or other decorative birds as a fun surprise.
What is Flocking?
Flocking is a fundraiser where a group temporarily decorates someone’s yard or home with a “flock” of flamingos or other decorative birds. It is done as a fun prank or to celebrate events like birthdays, graduations, or holidays.
The most common version involves placing a flock of pink plastic flamingos in someone’s front yard overnight. The flocking is accompanied by a note explaining that the recipient has been “flocked” and can pay a small fee to have the flamingos removed and re-flocked to someone else’s yard.
Some key features of flocking fundraisers:
- Groups purchase large quantities of plastic flamingos or other decorative birds to use
- Individuals can pay the group to flock someone’s yard as a prank or gift
- Recipient pays a fee to have the flock removed and sent to flock someone else
- Funds raised go towards the group’s needs and activities
Who Typically Does Flocking Fundraisers?
Flocking is popular among:
- High school groups
- Sports teams
- Youth groups and troops
- School clubs and organizations
- Church and religious groups
- Community organizations
It works well as a fundraiser for groups that have large networks to tap for support. Members can pay to flock friends, family, neighbors, teachers, coaches, etc. The novelty of it makes it fun and shareable.
Why Do Groups Flock?
There are several benefits that make flocking an appealing fundraiser:
- Fun and unique: Receiving a flock of flamingos in your yard is unusual and humorous. The surprise factor makes it entertaining.
- Great visibility: The flocks are eye-catching and get the group’s name out there as people see the birds around town.
- Engages networks: Group members can participate by flocking those in their personal networks.
- Interactive: Recipients can pass the flock onto someone else to keep the fundraiser spreading.
- Low overhead: After the initial purchase of birds, it is an inexpensive fundraiser to run. No costs for facilities or supplies.
The fun, interactive nature of flocking and its visual appeal make it a popular fundraiser option. The funds raised go towards expenses like travel, equipment, fees, and other costs.
How Does the Flocking Fundraiser Work?
Flocking fundraisers generally work as follows:
- The group purchases a large quantity of plastic flamingos or other decorative birds.
- Group members advertise flocking options and collect payment from individuals who want to flock someone.
- On the requested date, the group flocks the yard overnight with plastic birds and a note explaining the person has been flocked.
- The recipient can pay a fee to have the flock removed from their yard and re-flocked to someone else as a prank.
- The flocking continues as recipients pay to have the birds removed and placed elsewhere, raising ongoing funds.
Groups can flock recipients themselves or hire youth group members to do it. Fees are charged per flocking or to remove a flock. Online payment makes it easy to collect flocking fees.
Setting Up a Flocking Fundraiser
Key steps for running a flamingo flocking fundraiser include:
- Getting approval from your school, organization, HOA, etc. Make sure flocking is allowed in the area.
- Ordering birds: Buy at least 50-100 plastic flamingos or other decorative birds. Flock sizes are typically 20-50 birds.
- Setting fees: Determine what to charge to flock someone and to remove the flock. $20-50 per flocking is typical.
- Promoting: Spread the word on social media, flyers, emails, etc. Get people excited to flock others.
- Taking orders: Have a way to collect online payments or cash/check payments from flocking purchasers.
- Flocking: Send out youth volunteers to flock yards quietly overnight.
- Collecting: Gather payment from recipients to have flocks removed and moved.
Promotion is key to getting a lot of initial purchases. Marketing the fun, silly nature encourages participation.
Flocking Etiquette and Rules
To keep the fundraiser fun for everyone, it’s important to establish some etiquette guidelines. This includes:
- Getting permission first before flocking someone’s yard.
- Avoiding flocking anyone who has declined participation.
- Flocking neatly – not blocking walkways, damaging landscaping, etc.
- Removing flocks within a week even if payment isn’t made.
- Being respectful of wishes to opt out of the fundraiser.
- Having group members do the flocking, not hiring third party services.
It’s also a good idea to confirm if flocking is allowed in a neighborhood or by a HOA before launching a widespread fundraiser. Being thoughtful keeps it fun for everyone.
Flocking for Graduations, Birthdays & Events
In additional to flocking randomly for fundraising, people often pay to have flocks placed to celebrate or embarrass someone for a special occasion, such as:
- Birthdays
- Graduations
- Weddings
- Baby showers
- Major milestones
The flock can be accompanied by a fun message like “Happy Flocking 40th Birthday!” or “Congrats on the New Baby Flock!”. It adds to the surprise and excitement of the event.
Different Types of Birds Used for Flocking
While pink plastic flamingos are the classic choice, groups get creative with the types of decorative birds used for flocking, including:
- Ducks
- Parrots
- Toucans
- Chickens
- Blue jays
- Swans and other water birds
Diversity makes the flock more colorful and interesting. The birds are reusable, so groups can continue using them for fundraising over many years.
Flocking Year-Round for Fundraising
Flocking fundraisers can take place year-round, not just during warmer months. People enjoy the novelty even during winter. Some tips for cold weather flocking:
- Use plastic birds designed for outdoor use in all weather.
- Secure birds with stakes or adhesive if needed in windy areas.
- Avoid flocking right before or during snow storms.
- Make arrangements for prompt removal to avoid damage.
- Use winter holidays as a theme – penguins, snowbirds, etc.
With proper planning, flocking can provide funding for groups and organizations throughout the entire year. The flock doesn’t need to fly south for winter.
Pros of Running a Flocking Fundraiser
There are many benefits that make flamingo flock fundraisers an appealing choice:
- Interactive and social: People enjoy participating together to flock friends and neighbors.
- Visually fun: The flocks are colorful, making the fundraiser more exciting.
- Low maintenance: Once purchased, the birds can be reused indefinitely.
- Simple logistics: No facilities or complex planning required.
- Engages networks: Participants spread the word organically through their social circles.
- Unique: Standing out from other common fundraisers like cookie dough sales adds appeal.
- Year-round: Can flock during any season with proper birds.
The interactive nature, visual fun, and simplicity make flocking fundraisers a great recurring option for many types of groups.
Cons of Running a Flocking Fundraiser
While flamingo flocking has many advantages, potential drawbacks include:
- Upfront cost for birds: You need to purchase at least 50-100 birds to start.
- Storage: Storing a large number of birds takes space when not in use.
- Logistics: Transporting and placing flocks takes volunteer work.
- Limited control: Can’t dictate who purchases flockings or where they’re placed.
- Requires promotion: Need to drive ongoing purchases and participation.
- May annoy some: A few people will dislike repetitive flockings.
Proper planning and promotion helps maximize the positives while reducing the negatives of flocking events. Overall, most see it as a fun way to raise funds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flocking
Why do people flock yards with flamingos?
It is done as a fundraiser for organizations and groups. Individuals pay to have groups flock someone’s yard as a fun prank or to celebrate an event or milestone. The recipient then pays to have the flock removed.
Where can I buy birds for flocking?
Plastic flamingos and other decorative birds can be purchased from party supply stores, Amazon, discount retailers like Oriental Trading Company and through promotional product companies that support fundraising groups.
How much does it cost to flock someone?
Typical flocking fees range from $20-50 to have a yard flocked. Removal fees are usually $10-30. Bulk bird purchases can be as low as $1 per bird for basic pink flamingos.
How long do the birds stay up?
Most groups leave the flock up for 2-7 days. It is removed sooner if the recipient pays the fee. Temporary stakes or lawn markings are used to avoid damaging the lawn.
How many birds are used to flock?
Flock sizes vary but often range between 20-50 birds. The number should be large enough to generate the desired surprise and excitement when placed on a lawn.
Is flocking legal? Are there limits or restrictions?
Most public areas permit flocking. But always check HOA rules and local ordinances. Participation should be limited to those who consent and opt in to the fundraiser.
Conclusion
Flocking can be summarized as a fun, interactive fundraiser where flocks of flamingos or other decorative birds are placed on lawns as pranks or celebrations. Recipients pay to move the flock to a new location.
Groups purchase birds then set fees to place and remove flocks. Flocking works well as a recurring fundraiser because of its visual appeal, ability to engage networks through sharing, and straightforward logistics.
By establishing flocking etiquette and guidelines, groups can create a lively fundraiser that is enjoyed by recipients and benefits the organization. Flocking brings people together under pink plastic flamingo wings to support important causes.