Silly chapter guard question...
 

Silly question...

There are a lot of GLOs that use just Greek letters for chapter designations, and you can get a chapter guard with those letters for your badge.

But there are also some GLOs that use states in their chapter designations (e.g. Massachusetts Beta), or that use "deuteron" to designate chapters that have closed and reopened, and I think there's a fraternity that doesn't use Greek letters at all, but refers to its chapters as "the University of ____ chapter" ...

What do these orgs do for chapter guards? For the orgs that use states, do you work in an indicator for the state or just ignore it (i.e. would the Mass. Beta chapter have guards that say MB or just B)? For the orgs that use "deuteron" does it appear on the guard or not?

Just curious :)

In ATO, our chapter names have the state in the designation, but the chapter guard is just the Greek letters. My chapter is the Tennessee Beta Tau chapter and my jeweled badge has a BT chapter guard.

Jason

Many of the jeweler's sites sell guards for just that type of chapter, but I couldn't find any pictures for you.

All above true.

Find the other thread tha discusses this.

But, some Greek Organizatins dont use Guards to designate. I find this silly. The reason you have a Guard is just that. That is to not only to show what Chapter you are from, but incase your Badge Comes lose. Say falls off of your Chest. Is Lost:(

It has happened to me before. When wearing a rare Badge one with opals, very rare or one I got for $325.00 I damn sure do not want to lose it.:(

Some GLOs do not use guards whatsoever, and there are reasons for such a decision. I think they're darned good reasons, too! Of course, since I'm a member of a "no guard chain thingies allowed" GLO, I'm sure I'm biased :)

Trust me, there are other rather effective methods of securing your badge so it doesn't fall off. Bubble guards are your friends!

On the other hand, there may be an official guard that is not specific to a chapter. Pi Beta Phi's official guard is our crest.

A guard is not necessarily simply to 'protect' the badge (and some badges are better suited to bubble guards than others-- our badge is thin enough that most bubble guards and earring backs add weight that makes the angle wrong). Depending on the badge, a guard can add more 'bling' to it that just makes it look nicer, no matter how functional it is. Personally, I like our crest guard... Tri Delta's trident guard is another one that adds to the beauty of the badge.

Is that why they are called chapter guards to protect them from falling off?????

Yes. Using the chapter guard just helps to stack the odds of losing the badge in your favor. Chances are, BOTH pins won't come undone at the same time. At least I hope not! :)

Using an earring back can help keep the badge from falling off. You put the stick through your clothes, put the earring back on, close the latch, and your badge should be secure. This method will probably work on most badges.