NPC Badge Question?
 

Hi everyone,

I searched the memories, but couldn't find the answer to my question.

Basically, what is the purpose of chapter guards and/or dangles? And are they common now, or are they found more often on older badges?

My chapter never really used them, nor does the chapter I advise, so I'm unclear about the purpose. :)

Thanks!
Brittany

Guards and dangles are just another way for jewelers to make money. :D

A guard is an extra pin that keeps your badge affixed to your shirt and shows off your chapter designation. Dangles attach to the guard, which attaches to the badge, to show your sorority leadership and honors. Neither is mandatory.

Personally, and this is solely my own personal opinion-- I think dangles look ridiculous. Look! I was president! Look at my 2" pewter charm! Look! I got a 4.0. Look at the minute and cheaply made cultured pearl I paid $20 for that attaches to my guard!

I'm not knocking anyone who has dangles or loves to collect them. I am sure there are others who love their dangles and are proud of them. More power to you. I just didn't/don't have that kind of money to burn, and if I did, I'd probably spend it on something else. LOL.

The purpose of a guard is exactly what the name implies -- it "guards" against the loss of your badge if, for some reason, your badge falls off your shirt/blouse, etc. As a side benefit, the guard provides a place to show chapter affiliation, but it wasn't always so. I've seen older guards in more than one GLO that showed the GLO's coat-of-arms.

Our chapter all had guards, but very few people had dangles. I've seen some badges that are super duper dangled out though.

When I see badges WITHOUT chapter guards, they always look to me like something is missing. Although some badges are so tiny (like the keys and quills and such) I'm not sure how you would hook them on.

Guards can be very important.

1. Show chapter designation.

2. Keep from losing your badge.

Let just say that I had a $350.00 Badge that came loose and I didn't know it.

One of our Grand High Zeta members pointed it out to me. Wow, would hate to have lost it.

8 pearls, 3 saphires and 8 diamonds on white gold.

That is why one really needs a guard.:)

PS,
one must remember that guards can be expensive depending on if one or two letters, plain, scrolled, or jeweled.

Check your National site to get pricing. Or go to herff jones web site and seach for your group.

Guards can range from: $32.00-$93.00

But as I said, I spent $90.00 to save a $350.00 Badge!

Not true, some organizations do require that correct wearing of the badge includes the use of a guard. Not wearing a badge would be a violation of that org's governing documents.

Does it have to be a chapter guard or is it another kind of guard? (Apologies if I'm being too nebby.)

... And I believe there is one NPC org (AOII?) that prohibits attaching anything, including a guard, to the badge.

I look on my guard as three things:

1. A way of indicating my chapter of initiation.
2. An insurance policy. I'd rather spend $35 on a guard than potentially spend $100+ on a new badge.
3. A way of displaying my dangles. I held several offices during my collegiate years, but I chose to get only two dangles: Panhellenic rep (because it's the highest office I held) and ritualist (because that's the office that meant the most to me).

That is correct- AOII prohibits anything being attached to the badge. We do have a small "guard" on the back of the badge that is supposed to help it from falling off, but most of my sisters never used it correctly!

You are correct about AOII!

From AOII Book of Policies:
"The AOII badge is worn on the left side of the chest over
the heart. It is to be to the right of (as the wearer looks down)
and above any other organizational jewelry. No pin, badge, or
other insignia may be attached to the badge in any way."

You can wear your AOII Life Loyal pin to the left and below the AOII badge.


ETA: Does Tri Delta allow anything attached to their badge? I don't think I've ever seen one with a chapter guard or anything else. Their website just says this. http://www.tridelta.org/events/badge...ring_badge.asp

I have some that have their Coat of Arms as a guard.

LXA allows a local Badge to be attatched as a guard.

But, something to hold it on not to be lost.

Many on ebay can be found and wonder if stolen, lost, or a passed member?

Too bad those aren't NPC badges...

In my chapter everyone gets the same badge (it comes with new member dues) and a guard, and dangles are presented from the chapter to the Exec board officers after their term of service is up, but if you want dangles for other offices you have to buy them youself, and not a lot of our girls do.