Pledges and Greek Clothing

[Alumiyum]

I would stick with 33girl's suggestion and get items in the colors or with the mascot until you know for sure.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I usually find that pencils and doodads (note pads, makeup bags, etc.) are okay. Or they usually don't have letters on them to begin with. This is just based on my observances of campus culture and not a solid guideline. It used to be that people'd complain if a new member had a makeup bag with letters, but typically now as long as she's not wearing it it's "safe" as a gift. I think things have changed now that there is more insistence from many HQs on providing new members with letters and watching chapters attempt to "get around" these things over time without being obvious and trying to remain in compliance.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

I think things have changed now that there is more insistence from many HQs on providing new members with letters and watching chapters attempt to "get around" these things over time without being obvious and trying to remain in compliance.

They can "insist" all they want but if you go out wearing letters and hear "OMG! MY chapter doesn't let you wear letters (crest, block letters etc) till initiation...you guys must be REALLY lame" there's not a strong enough edict from any HQ that will get people into them. If HQs force the issue, that's kind of like reverse hazing.

[XEbabypanda]

i know personally i was told i could wear my letters from day one as soon as i accepted my bid. im an AOII at ohio state, and whether this is a chapter rule or it comes from the national level im not sure. the reasoning behind it is that they want us to feel included and a part of our chapter. i truly didnt start wearing blocks though til my big got me my first shirt, but i did have a pan hel shirt that spelled out "alpha omicron pi" across the back. i would wait til your daughter was initiated to send her block shirts or anything like that, because the letters AOII will mean nothing to her til she experiences ritual & such. however, things like pens/pencils, notepads, little stuffed pandas (or whatever mascot she is) are totally fine & super cute! plus, be aware that her big may be giving her things along the way!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by XEbabypanda

i know personally i was told i could wear my letters from day one as soon as i accepted my bid. im an AOII at ohio state, and whether this is a chapter rule or it comes from the national level im not sure. the reasoning behind it is that they want us to feel included and a part of our chapter. i truly didnt start wearing blocks though til my big got me my first shirt, but i did have a pan hel shirt that spelled out "alpha omicron pi" across the back. i would wait til your daughter was initiated to send her block shirts or anything like that, because the letters AOII will mean nothing to her til she experiences ritual & such. however, things like pens/pencils, notepads, little stuffed pandas (or whatever mascot she is) are totally fine & super cute! plus, be aware that her big may be giving her things along the way!

You were reading my mind. Perhaps get items in colors or mascots that she could use, maybe even a school shirt in her AOII colors if that's a campus trend. I'd cruise www.aoiiemporium.com as those items are licensed and approved by AOII, and may help fund programming. You could also maybe find out who her big sister (panda pal?) is and be in cahoots for gifting so you're not repeating items and learn the traditions of the chapter.

Pandas are way cute and pretty easy to find, you're lucky!

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by XEbabypanda

i know personally i was told i could wear my letters from day one as soon as i accepted my bid. im an AOII at ohio state, and whether this is a chapter rule or it comes from the national level im not sure. the reasoning behind it is that they want us to feel included and a part of our chapter. i truly didnt start wearing blocks though til my big got me my first shirt, but i did have a pan hel shirt that spelled out "alpha omicron pi" across the back. i would wait til your daughter was initiated to send her block shirts or anything like that, because the letters AOII will mean nothing to her til she experiences ritual & such. however, things like pens/pencils, notepads, little stuffed pandas (or whatever mascot she is) are totally fine & super cute! plus, be aware that her big may be giving her things along the way!

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

You were reading my mind. Perhaps get items in colors or mascots that she could use, maybe even a school shirt in her AOII colors if that's a campus trend. I'd cruise www.aoiiemporium.com as those items are licensed and approved by AOII, and may help fund programming. You could also maybe find out who her big sister (panda pal?) is and be in cahoots for gifting so you're not repeating items and learn the traditions of the chapter.

Pandas are way cute and pretty easy to find, you're lucky!

She's an AOII; her daughters pledged Pi Phi and AXO.

[FleurGirl]

I've heard that Kappas are allowed to wear letters as soon as they pledge. However, it's sort of a tradition for the bigs to give their littles their first letter shirt on her initiation, so girls typically don't buy them before initiation.