Kudos to Chi Omega HQs regarding badges
 

Hey all! I was just taking a look at my best friend's newest issue of the Eleusis, which is the Chi Omega National Magazine, for those who don't know. In it, there was a very informative article on badges and how to deal with badges in case of death, disaffiliation, etc. It mentioned that badges end up in pawn shops and on E-bay. It also mentioned that the price that they pay for the badge isn't to buy the badge, but for the privilege of wearing it for as long as they feel the Chi Omega pride. So kudos to Chi O for bringing this issue up to their membership!

??
 

Why does everyone spend so much time worrying about stuff on ebay? Have you ever actually seen a non-member wearing your letters. I think most of the people buying jewelry on ebay are probably new members of the same organization. Even if ebay stopped selling greek jewelry, it wouldn't be that tough for a motivated collector to go to a national website and order the same badge or pin direct from your national. I think most nationals are selling the same stuff on the net. They have no way of knowing who the buyers are.

They could go right to the XO website and say "this is amykat from USC, and here is my credit card # and I want to order an entire truck load of badges or pins".

I can't speak for Chi O, but AXD doesn't just sell their badges to anyone who claims to be a member. They do a little more info verification than that.

Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that an extremely motivated buyer couldn't manage to snark the system. But why bother when it's easier to get them via not only eBay but other web sites and pawn shops?

I don't know about other organizations, but Delta Zeta doesn't sell badges to just anyone. First of all, the badges aren't for sale on the public side of our website, so no one other than a Delta Zeta has access to the part of the site where badges are located. Secondly, National HQ verifies that the person ordering the badge is a member in good standing. So, yes, DZ HQ does know who the buyer is, and has security in place to prevent a non-DZ from purchasing a badge.

As a Chi Omega, I can assure you that we just don't see badges to anyone either! Our Pledge Educator ordered our badges when we were near the end of our pledge semester. The whole ordeal with badges being bought and sold on ebay is just really annoying. As most greeks can identify with, badges are something to be treasured, and seeing a badge being sold on ebay is just very irritating!!!

I assure you, that Delta Gamma does not sell the badges to just anyone either. You must provide your initiation number.

As for the badge issue, if someone wants to buy a badge off of eBay because they collect them and think they're beautiful to look at and to admire them...well, I don't like it, but I can live with it. (I'm not independently wealthy enough to outbid someone)....

But....if someone is buying the badge to wear it and intentionally mislead or misrepresent themselves as an initiated member of that GLO, then *THAT* I definitely have a problem with.

Alpha Gamma Delta
 

Alpha Gamma Delta also DOES NOT sell its badges on the internet. We do show the different types of badges that a member can get on our national site that links to our official jewelers site, but all purchases MUST be made through our IHQ. I know that Burrs, Patterson and Auld (the jeweler) has a brouchure that comes out, but I dont believe that you can even purchase the badges off of that anymore. Someone correct me if I am wrong. If you want to have a badge and want to know the price, gotta go to IHQ and I am sure they ask questions such as your chapter, member ID etc and check you on the comp to see whether you are a valid (and in good standing) member.

Phi Mu also has strict guidelines on who can purchase a badge. It has to be ordered directly through the Executive Office. They require your chapter of initiation, year, etc. Our badges are not viewable on the website - only via a brochure mailed to the chapter treasurers.

Kudos
 

My apologies - I also meant to say that I thought what Chi O put in their magazine was a great idea. It's that kind of information that needs to be said every year - as our membership continually changes. Phi Mu has that information available as well - but we all need to continually educate our members and alums of how to treat our badges.

Pi Beta Phi had a cover story last year on our badge in our magazine, The ARROW. It was interesting and educational. It was also fun to see pictures of members wearing our arrow on their hats, their collars -- pretty much anywhere they could pin it. Thank goodness our Grand Council finally decreed it must be worn over the heart, pointing up.

Alpha Phi also requires verification before you can purchase a badge, but I don't think the mere ownership of the badge is what matters to people. It is what the badge represents, membership in our fraternal organization and the heritage and ritual that goes with it.

Another problem is that the historical badges that are being sold on ebay should be in the hands of our fraternities because of their significance to our history. Badge styles and materials have changed over the years and antique badges should be kept by our members. In addition, there are special types of badges that you only receive for certain honors. Those badges should never leave the possession of those who have received the distinction of wearing them or the fraternity that granted the honor/distinction.

I have to agree here, but I guess I'm more irritated than most of you about the selling of badges on e-bay and the like. I've seen numerous ZTA badges on there and there's nothing I can do to prevent their sale to non-affiliated people. There is this one guy that has a lot of money and he keeps buying all sorts of badges. I just don't understand why people would want to buy something like that if it carries with it sooo much meaning: they have no idea what symbolism the badge represents.

I feel strongly that badges should be returned to IO. I know I had to buy my badge through our NM coordinator so it's not that easy to purchase a badge, although, I did send for a brochure for the badges off the internet and it included prices and everything, so probably any Joe Shmoe could get a ZTA badge and that makes me sad :( But there is thankfully Barbara, a ZTA alumna who watches e-bay and reports all badges to IO.

I guess I can understand wanting to collect badges because they are beautiful, but those antique ones should be returned to IO without question. Especially in Alpha Phi where they have changed their design so significantly and I know those early ones are really treasured. I remember seeing one with a "lazy phi" and it sold for quite a bit of money and I remember thinking that I hoped it went to an Alpha Phi member. Sorry to rant y'all, but this subject really bothers me...

~Melissa

Re: Alpha Gamma Delta
 

I just ordered a catalog from BPA and they do have the prices listed in the catalog (although no prices are listed on the website), but it states explicitly on the order form that all badges must be ordered through IHQ.

Re: ??
 

I think most GLO's dont just give their badges to anyone who owns a credit card. I just lost my pin so I had to go through our member educaction officer to purchase a new one.

The whole ebay thing just gets me really worked up because one of my sisters had a nasty runin with this "skidmarks" guy who basically makes money off of what he called "stupid sorority girls who will do anything to keep their trash jewerly in their chapter." Personally i was deeply offended. I understand everyone collects something but there is a reason that we dont freely give our badges out to anyone and it should remain that way.

This post wasn't meant to start an ebay war :) I just thought the article Chi O had in the Eleusis was informative and well written, and a great idea. As for Pi Phi and others, sorry, I only know so many sorority girls, and I didn't see your articles ;) but kudos go to all national groups who make this information known!

D Phi E does not sell pins on their website OR through any publications. Badges may only be ordered by NMEs. Mind you, if I lost my badge, I could order another one, but I would need to provide a lot of relevant information to do so. Most national organizations have these safeguards in place.