Rescuing Badges
 

I'm trying to find out which NPC sororities have programs for rescuing badges and what they are called. So far I have:

Gamma Phi Beta - Crescent Catchers
Alpha Delta Pi - Guardians of the Diamond
Kappa Kappa Gamma - Keepers of the Key

Is there anyone else?

phi mu does not have a program at this time.

sigma kappa doesn't either. they discourage us from bidding on badges.

WOW...that's really interesting. I was going to buy one off Ebay for my brother (the really fancy Phi Tau badge with diamonds n stuff) kinda glad I didn't now.

Delta Zeta has a program to rescue badges, but I don't know if we have a specific name for the group. My friends and I call ourselves "The Ladies of the Lamp."

just out of curiosity, how do these programs work??

I know Alpha Phi doesn't have a program (at least not to my knowledge!) and they won't buy a badge from us but we can "donate" it.

Thank you ladies, for the great information.

I think we all recognize the problem with this black market that has developed for the trading of our organization's symbols.

We think Kappa Kappa Gamma had such a great idea with their Keepers program, we are wanting to start one similar (imitation is intended compliments). But are running into difficulties with the "how to make it successful" issues. Any information on how groups make it work would be great.


We have also been wanting to see if other NPC groups would be interested in an "Exchange" agreement. Basically, if we are at an antique store or estate sale, etc and found a pin from a participating organization, the person would purchase it on behalf of that NPC group, under the ladies agreement that only reimbursement + S/H would be expected from that NPC to retrieve the pin. If we had a ring of contacts between groups, solely for the purpose of communication in this agreement, I think it might be worth a try. Any thoughts?

I have a question-

Why do some people feel so strongly that they have EVERY badge ever made?

Yes, I know they are the property of that organization, but what does it really matter if someone has a collection of pins and badges?

Aren't there more important issues facing young women that need the financial support that who owns a badge?

I don't mean this to criticize organizations who have formal programs in any way, I really just wonder why so much money is being spent on getting these badges.

As far as I know AST doesn't have any program, nor have I seen any restrictions on purchasing items. I periodically check ebay for AST items, but I've never seen any badges. I personally wouldn't want a non member to have my badge, and I would make every effort to retrieve it.

Different strokes for different folks. I agree, Little E, that money is much better served on membership programs, expansion, emergency support and developing the organization. But if people want to collect back historic badges, that's their call and their hard-earned cash to part with as they please. I do applaud these groups for one great reason: they give alumnae a real sense of purpose. I feel that our collegiate focus IS the reason we exist, but with the majority of our membership base being the alumnae, there should be stronger programs in place for graduated post-college members. Badge rescue groups form a great basis for alumnae to really dedicate themselves to something beyond a trip to the pet charity or doling themselves out at recruitment to serve water.

Okay, that's several questions, all good ones, and I'll try to answer them... :D

Why do some people feel so strongly that they have EVERY badge ever made?

Well, that's one I can't answer!

Yes, I know they are the property of that organization, but what does it really matter if someone has a collection of pins and badges?

In Kappa's case, badges are not the property of the organization. And in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with having a collection of pins or badges as long as the badges are not the stolen property of someone else.


Aren't there more important issues facing young women that need the financial support that who owns a badge?

The Fraternity is not funding badge rescue, it's individual members who choose to purchase them with their own funds. Safe to say, those same members are also frequent contributors to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (which is the best funded foundation of any Greek-letter organization's, btw. ;))

I don't mean this to criticize organizations who have formal programs in any way, I really just wonder why so much money is being spent on getting these badges.

The organizations don't have the formal programs, it's individual members who form groups. So, it's their money!

hum... i never really thought about it as a way to get alumnae involved, but I can see that it would make sense.

edited cause i got some answers while writing.

Then what happens to the badges? They get put into archives with one or two on display at the nat'l museums? or they sit in some box in a members house?

*Some are adopted by their chapters of origin, either to be displayed or used as an officer's badge

*Some are returned to their rightful owners, or legacies, perhaps after being stolen decades before.

*Some are used for education. For example, I have a 1938 pearl badge, purchased on ebay, that I sometimes wear with my own. I use it as an opportunity to tell others about the importance of making provisions for the disposition of their badges, so that their badges don't wind up on ebay like this one did.

*And yes, some do sit in members' jewelry boxes. :)