Badge question
 

I searched through previous threads, but didn't really find an answer I was comfortable with. My uncle (deceased) was an LXA and when I was initiated into a sorority, I recieved his badge as a token of his memory/for safekeeping. My mother would like me to wear it during graduation, as they were very close.

I would love to wear it in some way because he is still very much loved and that way a piece of him would be there. I considered pinning his and mine to my cap (material permitting), but I don't want to disrespect his badge in any way and I'm not clear on the rules regarding it.

What is the most respectful way I could do this (given that i'm obviously not a wife or a mother)?

Thank you for any reply you can give.

Disclaimer: I am not a Lambda Chi.

That said, a quick google search turned up the 2008 edition of the Lambda Chi Constitution and Statutory Code. Code VIII-6 says: "The Official Badge of the Fraternity shall be worn only by a fully initiated member in good standing or by his mother, sister, wife, or fiancée. This statute shall apply equally to all sizes of the Official Badge."

If that is so, there is no respectful way for you to wear your uncle's badge, nor would it honor him, or his fraternity, for you to do so. Rather, it would be disrespectful.

I would also question the respectfulness of pinning any badges to your cap, as I think most GLOs specify that badges should be worn over the heart.

If you want to honor and remember your uncle and his fraternity affiliation, pin purple, green and gold ribbons to your gown, or if you prefer, on your cap.

As for the badge, I have mentioned way upthread that I inherited my great-grandfather's fraternity badge. I have it framed in a nice shawbox-type frame, and it is hanging in our home with other items that have special family significance. I think that would be a great way to remember your uncle and care for his badge.

What is up with all the people lately wanting to wear other groups jewelry?

I had always remembered it applying to any closely related female so I would say put it on a chain, wear it as a necklace and call it a day. Anyone gives you any grief, tell them to take a breath and that you are doing to it for a deceased uncle.

Your best course of action is to contact their HQ and ask. Or check their web site for an email address for their rituals person. Personally speaking, I would never wear another organization's badge unless it was my husband's.

I defer to the Lambda Chi. Thanks for chiming in.

Thank you for the reply. I'll do that.

Ok, I know I am going to get flamed for this considering no one likes me and I'm out of my lane, but I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Contact HQ? Really? They're going to tell you no. Why? Because those are the rules, as someone quoted earlier in this thread (even though it was a few years old, doubt THAT rule has changed that much.) How would contacting HQ help? They are likely busy with 10 million more important things. What are you going to do? Try to explain your side about your uncle and try to convince him? Yeah, ok.

Unless a LXA would like to say otherwise, DON'T contact HQ.

I don't think anyone is saying "contact HQ and haggle like you're at the flea market" - rather, "contact HQ and find out what the rule really is." It IS possible that it's changed from what MC dug up. And while one LXA does say it's ok, the next LXA you talk to may remember it differently.

If someone cares enough to ask and try to get a correct answer, don't shoot them down for their effort.

Your mother will be at your graduation right? Since she's his sister, why not have her wear his badge as a tribute? That way there won't be any question about the appropriateness.

There is no 'Badge Police' that goes around telling you where, how, and when to display your badge or that of anothers. After a few years of ebaying, I have come across too many Lambda Chi's (and other organization's) badges that have been altered for some novelty or another. And according to our rules, that would be way out of line in and of itself, so i think it goes back to if you are comfortable displaying it in a manner that you feel respects your organization and our fraternity. Why dont you ask a leader in the chapter what they think? Ultimately it would only be disrespectful to a brother who seen it and who would most likely see it on your campus but a current member. Or just ask them to put out a little notice among the brothers of your intentions that you wish to wear it in conjunction with your badge as an honorific. We also have a little way of denoting respect to groups we have absorbed, especially if you were an original member of the previous group, and that it to attach the pin as a guard to your Organizations pin, would seem appropriate to me as that would be your uncle guarding you and your organization and still be close to your heart (if worn properly). An example would be a small local going national as Lambda Chi, and if the local had a badge it would be the guard to the LXA badge. Hope this helps.

Also remember that alot of our organizations do have rules about wearing and displaying a badge, but when has that stopped members from getting tattoos and other non legislated ways of displaying a badge? It hasnt, just use a little common sense and you will be fine.

If anything I would simply question why you decided to wear it, and upon hearing your story would fully support you, but hey, thats just me

The OP asked, "but I don't want to disrespect his badge in any way and I'm not clear on the rules regarding it."

MysticCat provided the rules, so that answers the question.

The badge is worn by mothers, fiancees, wives and sisters.
The Friendship Badge is worn by girlfriends who are not at the fiancee stage.

If this was the badge of a grandfather of a boyfriend or something, it would be inappropriate.

Wear the badge at graduation if you didn't already because honestly, you are female lineage from the original wearer. I would wear it on the outside of the gown over your heart or under the gown as a silent reminder that even though we lose our loved ones, they are still there to watch over us.

Kappa-Phi 1653