[FSUZeta]

You can also get badges with real stones, as a special order. At least you could back in my day. One of my roommates got a badge with real emeralds-stunning!- although it took twice as long for her to receive her badge. Even back then, it was beaucoup $$.

Mom, the girls usually all order their badges at one of their new member meetings. The secretary of the chapter places the badge orders. There is a form that each new member fills out. Some chapters, by tradition, do all where the same style of badge, while in other chapters everyone just gets what they want. The only official badge requirement from our headquarters is that each member must order a badge-it may be the least expensive one, or the most expensive one-that is up to the member.

I.O. (our International Office) sometimes receives badges that have been returned when a member passes away, which I.O. will sell. If your daughter indicates that she wishes she could have a fancier badge than the plain badge, you might try phoning I.O to see if they have any returned badges for sale- the number is 317.872.0540. Even though they are in the central time zone, they operate on EST.

There was so much variety when it came time for me to choose, that I couldn't make up my mind, so I just went got a plain one. I figured i could always upgrade. Years later, I bought a turquoise/alternating pearl silver badge from I.O.(which is beautiful, btw) at considerably less than a brand new badge of the same style. Our colors are turquoise and grey, so I especially liked the turquoise/sterling silver combo for a badge. I returned my original badge at the time of purchase-it was the plain gold one that I got when I was initiated. .There will be plenty of members in her chapter that have the plain badge, so if that is what she wants, or all that your budget will allow, don't worry about it.

FYI- A lot of members attach a chapter guard to their badge. It identifies which chapter they were initiated in, and also serves as a 2nd line of defense to keep from losing the badge. It attaches to the badge with a delicate chain, and the chapter letters are pinned to the clothing. It is rare for both the badge and the chapter guard to come loose at the same time.