Badges on ebay

SmartBlondeGPhB · #1 12-30-2002, 07:47 PM

I noticed this topic is discussed on a number of the specific GLO forums (and people say similar things) but I could not find a general discussion (more specifically, a search didn't reveal one) so I thought I would start one.

I think we should share our opinions/feelings as an Interfraternal group because this is one issue that encompasses most of us.

My sorority (Gamma Phi Beta) has a Task Force researching the issue looking at the reasons behind it and the possible solutions (aside from buying them all up, which none of us can afford).

I'm not looking to start any heated argument, just a constructive discussion.

Any thoughts?

Melanie Kelsey
Chair, Gamma Phi Beta Badge Task Force

Kevin · #2 12-30-2002, 09:49 PM

Badges are symbols for things we believe in. It is how we live out the values that they represent that matters, not how we treat/revere the symbols. If someone who's not a member sees fit to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a symbol they really know nothing about.. more power to them.

I don't think it's realistic to think that you can solve the problem. Just find comfort in the fact that other people like your symbols enough to spend money on them! The letters/symbols that you wear and own are not nearly as important as the way you live your life and honor the vows that you took to uphold what they stand for.

33girl · #3 12-30-2002, 11:50 PM

The solution is to EDUCATE. Make sure our family members know how to dispose of our badges after our death. Make sure members of your family who are Greek have also made arrangements. (sorry if that sounds morbid, but it's part of life)

The buying and selling of badges has been going on for a long time - it's just much easier to do now because of things like ebay.

SmartBlondeGPhB · #4 12-31-2002, 12:02 AM

I fully agree. We started our research with a survey to gauge our members attitudes and I was amazed at a lack of education in most of them (myself included).

My will spells out exactly what to do with all of my things. A "funny" (maybe not the correct word to use) thing is a lot people, when asked why they thought the badges ended up being sold, said that relatives didn't know what else to do with them. But the same people, when asked if they had told their family what to do with their badge, answered no.

I also agree that we'll never solve the problem. Badges will always be sold because there will always be someone willing to buy them. I'd like to see them not get to the market in the first place.

One problem we have is getting badges returned from members who deactivate. Most say they don't know where their badge is, and we leave it at that.

honeychile · #5 12-31-2002, 12:50 AM

I can see both sides to the ebay/collectors debate. While I may admire someone else's pin, I wouldn't think of wearing it. I doubt very much that I would even want to own one that isn't mine. But some people are collectors, and as long as they don't wear the badges, and treat them with the respect due them, that's their business. Unfortunately, regulating that is nigh on impossible.

Interestingly, I was speaking to my mother this very weekend about the disposal of my pins upon my death. I had planned to give 2 of them to legacies who ended up going to schools where there isn't an ADPi chapter, so that's out. Right now, my feeling is that they be given to my chapter as "reward pins", such as the monthly scholarship or spirit member. Barring that (and if I don't have a daughter

), I do think that they should go back to EO. The Kappa pins my mom inherited were sent back to their National - after I went ADPi, that is!

I would think that this would be an interesting topic for everyone's alumnae associations! Thanks for bringing up this timely topic, SmartBlonde!

honeychile

SororgrlADPi · #6 01-03-2003, 09:58 PM

Although I don't agree with the selling of Fraternity and Sorority Badges on Ebay, I just wanted to let everyone know that several badges are being sold for $3.00/badge. For those in the respective organizations (SigPhiEp, SigmaChi, SigmaKappa, Beta, AZD, PiKappaPhi, ChiO, PhiKappaPsi, FIJI, PiKappaSigma), since they are going for so little, I thought someone might want to "rescue" these important pieceof your organization.

http://listings.ebay.com/aw/plisting...html?from=R11s

If the link doesn't work, they were found under "Historical Memorabilia > Fraternal Groups"

Fraternally,
S.