[OneHeartOneWay]

Based on my conversations with Julia, our national legal counsel, we would not want any chapter or individual member ordering anything made from a non-licensed vendor, be the vendor a national corporation or local department store. It all has to do with our “company” (the sorority) protecting our letters, symbols, insignia, etc. If we don’t take precautions to ensure they are being used correctly and with the sorority’s permission, as another poster pointed out, then we will not have legal action if an individual or another organization began using them as their own. Whether or not the company would get sued shouldn’t be the point; rather, our organization has asked all sisters to follow a protocol in an effort to ensure the integrity of our letters. Every collegiate chapter, for example, is supposed to get every vendor they use to go through the formal process, even if it is a sister’s parents’ screenprinting shop for formal shirts, for example. The process of becoming a licensed vendor is actually very easy and can be completed in a day or two, from what I understand. Now, does this mean this is actually happening, or will every completely happen, no. But by spreading the word and abiding by the policy, we can help ensure only women in our mystic bond can use our letters!

I guess what I'm trying to say that the policy is in place for sisters to follow, not the vendors. Does that make sense?