I have to agree here, but I guess I'm more irritated than most of you about the selling of badges on e-bay and the like. I've seen numerous ZTA badges on there and there's nothing I can do to prevent their sale to non-affiliated people. There is this one guy that has a lot of money and he keeps buying all sorts of badges. I just don't understand why people would want to buy something like that if it carries with it sooo much meaning: they have no idea what symbolism the badge represents.
I feel strongly that badges should be returned to IO. I know I had to buy my badge through our NM coordinator so it's not that easy to purchase a badge, although, I did send for a brochure for the badges off the internet and it included prices and everything, so probably any Joe Shmoe could get a ZTA badge and that makes me sad
But there is thankfully Barbara, a ZTA alumna who watches e-bay and reports all badges to IO.
I guess I can understand wanting to collect badges because they are beautiful, but those antique ones should be returned to IO without question. Especially in Alpha Phi where they have changed their design so significantly and I know those early ones are really treasured. I remember seeing one with a "lazy phi" and it sold for quite a bit of money and I remember thinking that I hoped it went to an Alpha Phi member. Sorry to rant y'all, but this subject really bothers me...
~Melissa