Paraphernalia question
 

Last fall, I rushed the ZTA colony at my school but didn't join. I didn't think I had any ZTA stuff until I was doing some cleaning and found a pen. It's nothing terribly special, just a turquoise Bic with "ZTA Zeta Tau Alpha" written on it in gray letters. What should I do with it? I never use it because the letters written on it aren't mine. I don't know any Zetas IRL who I could give it to. Should I put it up on eBay? To me, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing people would want to bid on.

personally, it is just a pen, so go ahead and use it! if you feel like people are going to think you are a sister, then don't bring it to classes. who cares....it is just one pen! lots of businesses give pens and pencils out as ways to promote themselves. i still use pens with my last school's name on them at my new school. don't stress!

I agree
 

it's just a pen. I really couldn't imagine anyone getting upset over it. If some one asks you if you're a Zeta just say no, I just found this pen. If the person asking you is a Zeta, you could offer it to her. But really don't stress.

Speaking from a different perspective
 

I think you should either throw it out, or drop it in their mailbox. If you are seen using the pen, someone may think that you are being disrespectful to that organization. Though the pen is not a big deal, the letters are.

Use the pen but, if you're worried about someone having an issue with it, maybe just keep it at home...don't take it to class with you.

You could probably get away with using it--- when ZTA expanded onto KU's campus they make a huge publicity push-- I know they passed out buttons with "ZTA" on them to all the other houses on campus--you are probably okay... but if you feel odd using it-- throw it away or leave it laying around somewhere--library, union, etc.

-wendi

That's a good idea. I'm not in school right now, so I don't have to worry about anybody seeing me use it in class. When I return to KU next January, maybe I'll "accidentally" leave it laying around in a public place and maybe a Zeta will pick it up.

Re: Speaking from a different perspective
 

i agree....the fact that there are letters that are not yours means that it's (the pen) not yours.

Re: Re: Speaking from a different perspective
 

And that is precisely why I want to get rid of the pen.

just don't put it on ebay cuz then anyone can get it

Re: Re: Speaking from a different perspective
 

I think this may be one of the fundamental differences between the NPC and the NPHC . . . I can't see any NPC sorority girl getting mad if they saw you using a pen with their letters on it. But if you're really worried about it, just keep it at home, don't take it to class.

That's VERY funny!:D

Why don't you just cover the letters up with stickers or tape or something like that if you actually like the pen. I think you are worrying too much about this.

I agree with those who said to put it in Zeta's mailbox or leave it somewhere where a Zeta is likely to notice it.

Personally, as much as my sorority could use recognition, I wouldn't be pleased to see a non-member using something with my letters on it, even if it is something as measly as a pen. If it was written out, it would be different... but not actual letters.

Re: Paraphernalia question
 

As an NPC person (and you are asking about an NPC group), I really wouldn't stress about it. It was obviously given to you as a gift at that colony presentation as a "promo item", so I would use it whenever and wherever you please. If someone says, "Are you a Zeta?", just say, "no, I went to a ZTA function but did not end up joining..they gave me this pen as a gift".

I don't think every single person who would have checked ou that Zeta colony ended up pledging so there are probably lots of Zeta pens out there with non-Zeta owners.

I also wanted to mention that when Delta Gamma is colonizing at a campus, they blitz everywhere with "Decide DG" pins and buttons. Lots of non-DGs wear these buttons (i.e. other NPC women to show "Greek Unity", Fraternity men to show Greek Unity and even would-be pledges). So I would think a pen falls on the same lines.

I also like the "just use it at home" advice. That's works too...it's all good. :)

The End.

I would take offense at someone wearing my letters or coat of arms if they are not members of my fraternity. With pens, pencils or other disposable items, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Most times, disposable paraphernalia does not contain the Greek letters or the coat of arms. I do like Fiji's rule on the display of their Greek letters... never on anything that could be disposed of (shirts, napkins, pens, etc.)

I wouldn't worry too much about it... as others have said, just keep it at home and use it there, or return it to a Zeta. (Or be prepared for curiosity from Zetas :) )

AEPhi's rule is that only initiated sisters are supposed to wear letters or use anything with letters on it, so if I saw someone with an AEPhi pen I'd assume she's an AEPhi, but I wouldn't be too put out if she weren't. If I saw someone wearing letters who turned out not to be an AEPhi, then I'd explain the rule and ask that she not wear the letters again. But a pen is just an object...

It's just a pen so I wouldn't worry about it. :)

If youre really worried, get the address of a ZTA on GC and mail it to her :) Then #1 you know its going to a ZTA, and a GC ZTA at that!!!

easy solution: trash can.

Keepsake
 

Put it in your keepsake box (all girls have at least one!) to remember an experience from college. Later, you can go through it with your daughter and tell her about something that you went through. I have lots of odd items from different events: concert tickets, bottle cap, Mardi Gras beads, etc... from things I attended. It makes for wonderful memories.:)