HQ's statement about Theta Items on eBay
 

IF any of you are interested in reading the statement made by HQ, go to www.kappaalphatheta.org and the second paragraph on the left side has a lil bit and then a link to more information.

I never realized it before but I think what they have to say on the issue makes sense.

The HQ message does make sense. But that being said, I'm bidding on the ritual book even if just to keep it from being copied one more time. Hopefully it won't go up TOO much as I do have my limits, even for Theta. :) My e-bay user name is "," so don't bid it up!

Good Luck, Hilary! I hope you win this piece of history important to your sisterhood! ... Sorry to crash!

This is a good question. However while it may tick off a lot of us across Panhellenic lines, It may not exactly be feasible to pursue this issue legally due to financial burdens when money can be spent elsewhere improving scholarship, member education, etc etc. I think the main focus now is educating new members with each pledge class and existing members in our collegiate and alumnae chapters about this issue and proper ways to dispose of pins, things on paper, and other items. However, you're always going to have a few disgruntled members that have quit for whatever reason and will never adhere to anything.

Also, a lot of our older members do not have internet access or do anythign with computers whatsoever. A lot of times items are bought and sold through estate sales and then end up on eBay. I think we should educate our members early on this issue as well to make arragements for pins and other items to be returned to HQ in will's or a close friend/family member to see it gets done.

These are just my thoughts and ideas. Anyone else?

I agree with you, Mary. While it is sickening to see things like our ritual book or the original Tri Delt constitution for sale to the highest bidder on such an impersonal forum as Ebay, it would cost us -- and all greeks -- so much in time and financial resources to fight it. I doubt if there is any standard, other than a "do the right thing" act of conscience that this falls under. Almost certainly no legal standard. You are absolutely right in saying the best we can do is make sure they never end up in the wrong hands to begin with. So if anyone has any gorgeous badges just sitting around ;) i know of a very young chapter that would love to have them to wear and care for!

~

Do you know if a Theta won the book? I hope so!

What a great example of greek sister spirit. Thank you, Kappa2, for sharing that good news, and please pass along my thanks to mp22000 who won the ritual book for her generous spirit. She definitely has gone above and beyond! I was looking at some of the other greek items she purchased on ebay, and i figured she was a Kappa or wished she were, but feared that it might just be some collector who would do heaven knows what with it.

I had to run out to a meeting right after I saw that the bidding was quickly getting out of my comfort zone (and into the range that my husband would notice!). As I was driving and feeling very low, it occurred to me that *reading* about our ritual and *knowing* our ritual -- any of our rituals -- are two very different things. I took some comfort in that.

I am so grateful to learn that the winner of this auction is another Greek with character! What a generous and giving spirit she has to return this to our HQ. I plan to send her a little thank you through her Ebay ID... anybody else want to join me?

This kind of thing happening sure scares me. For all we know, this Ritual book was the property of a Theta alumnae who might have passed away. We have to plan for the safe return of these kinds of items BEFORE our time here is over. Sometimes family might not realize the meaning or value to us.

This kind of situation also concerns me when I read that any initiated member can order a copy of the ritual :confused: How many more will we see fall into non-member hands?

I agree that some initiated members probably shouldnt have a copy of the ritual book. Havign said that, I myself recently bought one. However, it stays locked in a trunk, and no one short of here and at HQ knows I bought a copy of the ritual book. I figured if i made it known to people, non-thetas and the irresponsible curious may set out looking for it, hence if they dont know, they wont try to find it.

Patti, you are right for this issue to be dealt with and planned for before we depart this earth. My fiance and myself are starting to draw up wills(for obvious reasons) and living wills(so something like what is going on in FL wont happen to us) for when we get married.I have put that all Theta belongings, in my Theta trunk be sent to HQ assuming I havent passed them down to my legacy or legacies. I think I'd roll in my grave if my pin or book ended up at an auction or eBay.

This is such a good idea, Mary. I don't have a Ritual book, but I will be certain that my badge goes to my chapter or HQ.