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Originally posted by CutiePie2000
[B]I think in 99.99% of the cases, the pins that we're seeing up on E-Bay are from deceased members, and what is happening is that the surviving family members are not aware that the proper disposal of the badge is to return the pin to the GLO's headquarters
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Actually, we have found quite a few badges that were not from deceased members, but were lost or stolen. Those women are almost always more than overjoyed that their badge has been found. They have said our group shows the true spirit of sisterhood and, as I mentioned before, go on to actively support the Fraternity in other ways, thereby strengthening it.
Quote:
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Originally posted by CutiePie2000 It seems like a big waste of money to me, and money that could be better spent elsewhere. There are more important things in life to get worried over and better avenues into which an organization's money can be channelled.
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As has been mentioned time and time again, not
every badge is bid on and it is very rarely,
if ever the Fraternity's funds that are being used to purchase badges (and other historical items). Our funding is
completley 100% from our group members' own pockets. If that's the way we see fit to spend our personal money, so what? Everytime a member buys a new handbag or a new ring or a new pair of shoes, should she have instead sent her money to her Fraternity? It's the same concept, only we derive personal enjoyment from Fraternity-related items.
As
SmartBlondeGPhiB mentioned, a majority of the focus of our group
is to educate our members and their families on proper badge disposal after the member has passed away. That's why there are badge disposition forms printed in every issue of our magazine; that's why members of our group give presentations to their own alumnae associations and chapters on what our group does; that's why we have a website. To
educate and
inform our members to lessen the chances of their badges someday showing up at an estate sale or flea market or antique store or eBay. No, we will probably never completely stop them from being sold, but we can greatly decrease the amount that do.
I don't have an issue with collectors; if they can properly take care of and respect our badges then that's all I ask. Yes, I would much rather see them in the hands of members, especially our older, historical badges, but I know that's not feasible.