Wearing letters

[BadSquirrelBeta]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

So you managed not to lose the tons of stuff from your alma mater in all of your moves but lost your lettered stuff?

Well, honestly, yes, I did lose some favored things from our alma mater--sweatshirts, beautiful christmas ornaments and some jewelry. Two different house fires and multiple moves took care of that. But, as the years have gone on Mr. BSB and I have purchased things for our children to wear to football games, events, etc. either online, at alumni socials when they have their boutiques at events, etc. That's what I meant.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

How do you know they are not contributing?

Did you go up and ask them!

Who gives you the right to belittle people for wearing letters?

I wear mine, so am I wrong?

I have been a member of The Greek Community a heck of a lot longe than you!

Your symbols? You are the only one who feels that You can wear Those symbols?

You better thank God for those people who made it available for you to be able to wear them today!

For the love of all that is good and wholesome, shut the hell up, Tom. Geesh.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by BadSquirrelBeta

Well, honestly, yes, I did lose some favored things from our alma mater--sweatshirts, beautiful christmas ornaments and some jewelry. Two different house fires and multiple moves took care of that. But, as the years have gone on Mr. BSB and I have purchased things for our children to wear to football games, events, etc. either online, at alumni socials when they have their boutiques at events, etc. That's what I meant.

Thanks for clarifying.

[BadSquirrelBeta]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

This is a little random, but it's kind of connected:

How important were/are particular items of clothing to your group, especially ones that you would save and have forever? Which items are they?

In my chapter at the time I was an undergraduate, we wore sweatshirts with letters in beautiful fabrics and we had a lot of event T-shirts, but we didn't do official jerseys with nicknames and bigs and littles names. I've heard folks talk about those kind of jerseys on GreekChat, and I would think that you'd save them forever. Would you wear that as an alum, or would it be weird?

I can see that if you had a line jacket, you would save it forever. And it seems to me that D9 groups are much more likely to display letters with pride throughout your whole membership. (and to stay more active in all aspects of the group.)

In NPC and IFC groups, it seems that what you would wear as an alum would be much subtler. Is that true everywhere, or just in my head?

I am seriously thinking when I get my new car I would like to get a tasteful window cling. I had one of the crest on one of my cars and it looked nice. We have a plate holder from our college on both cars. But the kids' sports stickers come first!

I had one very beautiful sweatshirt that had the crest on it. I would have kept it forever...I just know. It was perfect fit and perfect material, etc. Sadly, it was lost to the ages. I don't know if it was in the move or in the fire at my dad's house because that was one I took along with me most places to put on if I needed something for nice but casual occasions.

And, yes, I agree, if I would have had anything like a special jacket or jersey I would have kept it with my other special jackets, etc. (I did lose my HS letterman's jacket in the fire.)

If I could find something again like my crest sweatshirt I would get it and wear it.

[GDIfly]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

How do you know they are not contributing?

Did you go up and ask them!

Who gives you the right to belittle people for wearing letters?

I wear mine, so am I wrong?

I have been a member of The Greek Community a heck of a lot longe than you!

Your symbols? You are the only one who feels that You can wear Those symbols?

You better thank God for those people who made it available for you to be able to wear them today!

I love how Tom is consistently able to find a different emoticon for every sentence in each of his posts.

[KSUViolet06]

As far as items that I want to keep forever, I actually DO have a few things that I won't be passing down and plan on wearing after graduation:

*My "little sis" hoodie from my big.
*My family letters (my entire sorority family got matching pink lettered hoodies).
*My "name" hoodie. I got a lettered hoodie with my name written under the letters in cursive.
*My "jersey" hoodie. It's a lettered hoodie in Sigma colors with my chapter's letters on the the sleeve.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by PreppyTriDelta

I saw a woman, about 50-55, in the grocery store wearing an Everybody Loves a Delta Gamma Girl shirt. She was so adoreable that I went out and order a Tri Delt one. I thought I may be too old to wear shirts like that, although I do wear my letters and pin, but she really reminded me how nice it is to see other alumnae/i supporting their GLO and that it doesn't just have to be the greek letters.

It is important for us to show the same pride we did as collegians. Membership is for life afterall.

I bet she was too cute! I love seeing "seasoned" members represent.

I have the same sentiments regarding supporting our organizations. Before I became Greek, I met an XYZ at a former workplace who really didn't wear 'nalia because she was inactive. No one really knew she was an XYZ. She told me she didn't even have 'nalia on her car because she couldn't consciously spend money for paraphernalia when she wasn't supporting the national body. That always stayed with me.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by GDIfly

I love how Tom is consistently able to find a different emoticon for every sentence in each of his posts.

Thank You, I love the little smileys!

[agzg]

I think it's a little harsh to jump on alum and say "If you don't contribute, don't wear letters."

If they had disgraced the organization, maybe, but come on. I'm a new alum and I can't afford to contribute much to my organization. I can't even afford to contribute as much as I used to pay in dues. But, I contribute time, and in my mind that might be a more valuable contribution than just sending a wad of cash around every year.

Am I wrong in thinking this? I'd much rather organize a JDRF walk or help my chapter during recruitment time than just pinch pennies and send some small donation along. Plus, a lot of recent alum can't even spare enough time to contribute that way, because they're working hard at starting a career. Should they just not wear letters at all? I'd think they'd be rather deserving, especially if they're setting themselves up to be admirable for their hard work and good character.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

I think it's a little harsh to jump on alum and say "If you don't contribute, don't wear letters."

If they had disgraced the organization, maybe, but come on. I'm a new alum and I can't afford to contribute much to my organization. I can't even afford to contribute as much as I used to pay in dues. But, I contribute time, and in my mind that might be a more valuable contribution than just sending a wad of cash around every year.

Am I wrong in thinking this? I'd much rather organize a JDRF walk or help my chapter during recruitment time than just pinch pennies and send some small donation along. Plus, a lot of recent alum can't even spare enough time to contribute that way, because they're working hard at starting a career. Should they just not wear letters at all? I'd think they'd be rather deserving, especially if they're setting themselves up to be admirable for their hard work and good character.

You suffer from the same condition that Tom Earp does. No one said these people can't do anything or that we would ostracize these people. We are saying that old and young members need to contribute to the organization before they run around thinking that putting on letters means they are "representing" something.

I have found that people typically can afford whatever they want to afford. I rubbed pennies together to pay dues as an undergrad and rubbed pennies together to pay dues for the 7 years after undergrad. I will continue to rub pennies together to pay dues as long as I manage to find pennies to spend on clothes and other things that I probably don't NEED.

Broke is relative and a state of mind. For instance, being a broke grad student is NO JOKE but most of us still manage to do STUFF. Whether that's going out on the weekends, buying some gooblygob to wear, or eating out. Contributing your time is a wonderful thing and sisterhood is about more than dues. But many organizations are non-profit businesses that could use our dues for some important things both administrative and philanthropy-wise.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

You suffer from the same condition that Tom Earp does. No one said these people can't do anything or that we would ostracize these people. We are saying that old and young members need to contribute to the organization before they run around thinking that putting on letters means they are "representing" something.

I have found that people typically can afford whatever they want to afford. I rubbed pennies together to pay dues as an undergrad and rubbed pennies together to pay dues for the 7 years after undergrad. I will continue to rub pennies together to pay dues as long as I manage to find pennies to spend on clothes and other things that I probably don't NEED.

Broke is relative and a state of mind. For instance, being a broke grad student is NO JOKE but most of us still manage to do STUFF. Whether that's going out on the weekends, buying some gooblygob to wear, or eating out. Contributing your time is a wonderful thing and sisterhood is about more than dues. But many organizations are non-profit businesses that could use our dues for some important things both administrative and philanthropy-wise.

Excellent post!

@ alphagamzetagam: It's not about jumping all over alum that don't financially support. It's more important to look at the fact that when you [in the general sense, not specific] were desiring to be a member of your org, you found a way to get that money together to become a member. It's possible to continue to find the money and time now that you are on the official membership rolls for XYZ.

In some cases, it really is a matter of being a brand new grown-up with your degree in hand but not the best paying job. In the case of my sister-in-law, she really does not give back to the org, but she's an executive-turned-stay-at-home mom pushing a beautiful Yukon XL with XYZ on the front and back. She and her two daughters carry beautiful handbags, and they stay fly in every way. She will tell you XYZ hasn't received a membership check from her in years. So, how can you proudly flaunt your membership to others when you "can't" support that national organization with your much needed membership dues? It's akin to pimping your letters.

At least in your case, you support activities and actually serve the community. I know a "seasoned" soror who did the same thing when she couldn't afford the dues. It happens, but you shouldn't stop supporting your org all together just because life happens.

[agzg]

I don't know, I'd just rather not feel like a "money train" when money is a resource I don't have much of (and I don't believe in skimping on food just so I can pay alumnae dues), while I have plenty of time that I can donate. I'd rather spend that money on food, school supplies, classes, paying student loans, rent, car insurance, gas, etc, and if I want to go out to dinner or to get a drink one night a month, then I want to go out one night a month. A person cannot be expected to completely cut out a healthy social life in order to pay alumni dues. When I can live comfortably enough to have an extra hundred dollars or so a month, then I'll start sending in dues. When I can't, or I have to make extra sacrifices in order to be able to pay them, I'm not going to pay them. It's not like I live a super glamerous life (I've never even touched a designer handbag or designer pair of shoes in my life), but I'm not cutting out getting a new suit so I can go on interviews or going out to dinner with a close friend just so I can pay dues.

I think you're not getting my point though, it's not like I'm going out and buying a whole bunch of alpha gam stuff to wear or put on my car. I have the same sticker I recieved when I got my sister-mother. I wear the same sweatshirt I bought when I was a sophomore, the same jacket, the same t-shirts, bid day t-shirts, and most anything that I've got that's got letters or Alpha Gamma Delta written on it was either A. Part of a purchasing project through the chapter, which gives better rates on paraphenalia, B. something I bought shortly after my initiation, C. something that was given to me. I don't even have much of anything after passing everything down to my sister-daughter and granddaughter.

I just don't see how alumni that don't donate every year or pay alumni dues should be judged for wearing letters, especially if those judging them have no idea where they got those lettered items. Pride is pride. It's free advertisement, no matter what way you slice it, no matter if it's good or bad. Hopefully, it's good.

[UGAalum94]

Wow: is it the expectation that you pay as much as an alumna as you do as an undergraduate? That does show a serious life-long committment.

Do any of NPC groups have that expectation? Mine doesn't seem to. You are encouraged to give, and some ladies do get recognized for giving large amounts.

When I was an undergrad, I was at a campus where we had big houses, so I think the dues were a lot higher than they would have been at a chapter that lived on a dorm floor.


(I think that if I were paying in annual dues what the girls at my chapter do today, it'd be more than 1,000 a year ( maybe not, though, I don't know). If you all are paying that at the alum level, and that's just be be in good standing, I salute you!)

[agzg]

Ours are actually ridiculously low, you have nothing to worry about and they are not mandatory to remain in good standing.

[UGAalum94]

I'm afraid of being accused of being completely out of touch with my group again, as I was in a different thread.

I knew that our alumnae dues are super affordable; that's part of what amazed me that in some orgs. you might pay what you did as an undergrad.