Divine 9 For Obama t-shirts

[thatgirl]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Ha.



I don't think these candidates have much of a hand in every fundraising venture--or ventures that claim to be fundraising ventures. I also don't trust that Obama's campaign would necessarily know that these shirts conflict with our tax exempt status. So I see there being two issues: one is between Obama's campaign and the owner of the site and the second is between the NPHC and the owner of the site.

I'm positive that the campaign doesn't support any of these things. There are probably hundreds of vendors out here with 'barackawear', etc. t-shirts for sale. Some of them claim that they will donate a portion of the proceeds to the campaign, but those will be individual donations. Official campaign merchandise is only available on the candidate's website. The total purchase price of those items is considered a donation to the campaign and is recorded as such. All of these leeches are just trying to make some money from the popularity of the election. I hate that. And those D9 shirts didn't even look that great. I bought a red and white one (says nothing about delta, though), from barackobama.com. If you want to support the candidates, I say cut out the middle man and we can kill the drama about jeopardizing our non-profit status.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by thatgirl

I'm positive that the campaign doesn't support any of these things. There are probably hundreds of vendors out here with 'barackawear', etc. t-shirts for sale. Some of them claim that they will donate a portion of the proceeds to the campaign, but those will be individual donations. Official campaign merchandise is only available on the candidate's website. The total purchase price of those items is considered a donation to the campaign and is recorded as such. All of these leeches are just trying to make some money from the popularity of the election. I hate that. And those D9 shirts didn't even look that great. I bought a red and white one (says nothing about delta, though), from barackobama.com. If you want to support the candidates, I say cut out the middle man and we can kill the drama about jeopardizing our non-profit status.

Thanks for the insight, Soror. And of course welcome to the Sisterhood.

I am going to check out Obama's site to see the red and white shirt. I might become an Obama supporter soon. We'll see.

[thatgirl]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Thanks for the insight, Soror. And of course welcome to the Sisterhood.

I am going to check out Obama's site to see the red and white shirt. I might become an Obama supporter soon. We'll see.

Thanks! This election really is interesting. It's kind of messy, but all of the candidates would no doubt do a better job than our current guy. Happy shopping!

[Alias_01]

I liked the design of the shirt so I purchased it. As a Omega Man, I endorse Barack Obama so I saw the shirt fitting

However, given the fact that these types of actions can potentially threaten our national organizations I would probably think twice in the future.

There are so many vendors who are not liscensed with our national bodies...as a consumer its hard to regulate even when we are provided with lists of those authorized vendors. I guess your best bet is to do all your nalia shopping during national/ regional meetings.

[5Knowledge1913]

Originally Posted by Alias_01

I liked the design of the shirt so I purchased it. As a Omega Man, I endorse Barack Obama so I saw the shirt fitting

However, given the fact that these types of actions can potentially threaten our national organizations I would probably think twice in the future.

There are so many vendors who are not liscensed with our national bodies...as a consumer its hard to regulate even when we are provided with lists of those authorized vendors. I guess your best bet is to do all your nalia shopping during national/ regional meetings.

The thing is you learned from this experience! That is key!

[jitterbug13]

TTT

I know shirts like this:

http://www.zazzle.com/delta_sigma_th...80415594403900

would violate our tax-exempt status.

This shirt is a little different:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Obama-This-Delta...ayphotohosting

since it shows the opinion of one member, instead of the entire organization. Would you consider the shirt since it addresses your personal views? I wouldn't buy it, but I wanted to get the opinion of others.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

TTT

I know shirts like this:

http://www.zazzle.com/delta_sigma_th...80415594403900

would violate our tax-exempt status.

This shirt is a little different:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Obama-This-Delta...ayphotohosting

since it shows the opinion of one member, instead of the entire organization. Would you consider the shirt since it addresses your personal views? I wouldn't buy it, but I wanted to get the opinion of others.

No. If you want to share your indiviudal view then do so, but not in the name of the sorority.

I guess my bigger question is why the need to mix the two in the first place?

[jitterbug13]

The answer:$$$$$$$$$$

And LG, did you see the disclaimer of the Ebay shirt that says this is not affiliated with NPHC or the campaign?

And there are also shirts available for AKA and Zeta (sorry SGRhos).

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

The answer:$$$$$$$$$$

And LG, did you see the disclaimer of the Ebay shirt that says this is not affiliated with NPHC or the campaign?

And there are also shirts available for AKA and Zeta (sorry SGRhos).

I know why they are being made. I question why sorors feel the need to buy them. Personally my affiliation with Delta stands on its own and I don't need to mix it with another affiliation.

[Senusret I]

You know how consent is not a valid defense against a hazing accusation?

Consent of the person wearing the shirt doesn't make it less of a violation of the tax code.

A member of an organization has the right to represent themselves as a member of the organization but also has the responsibility to not legally compromise that representation. They do not have the right to give consent to compromise that representation.

It puts us on a slippery slope when it comes to the tax code. 501c7s and 501c3s have to be very, very careful. It's just better to not mix the two.

(Or if you want to make a statement, make one that doesn't include trademarked symbols.)

[5Knowledge1913]

I see your point, though, I doubt someone who wanted to question the item would note the "This..." especially since it is followed by the huge red greek letters. The point is the Delta-Sigma-Theta and Obama. Personally, I would not buy any of it!

In response to another post, I too do not see the need to equate my fraternal affiliation with my candidate preference, just like I wouldn't equate my fraternal affiliation with my neighborhood or church or favorite restaurant, etc. To everything there is a season...

Originally Posted by jitterbug13

TTT

I know shirts like this:

http://www.zazzle.com/delta_sigma_th...80415594403900

would violate our tax-exempt status.

This shirt is a little different:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Obama-This-Delta...ayphotohosting

since it shows the opinion of one member, instead of the entire organization. Would you consider the shirt since it addresses your personal views? I wouldn't buy it, but I wanted to get the opinion of others.

[zari71]

Originally Posted by EnlightenedEve

If you guys are still looking for T shirts to support Obama, you can also support James Thompson from the Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi. His company Coliseum Apparel is selling Barack the Vote T-shirts. The website is http://www.ColiseumApparel.com

You can also contact him for orders at:

I ordered a shirt from Coliseum Apparel Oct. 31, 2008. I hat YET to receive a shirt. I spoke with a gentleman on three occasions who promised I would receive my shirt. Then he promised it would be there in 10 business days. In the final call, he told me he would "check into the matter on Monday". The only reason he answered the call was that he "was expecting a call from Atlanta that day." I payed using paypal and opened a claim with them. They made a decision in my favor, but were "unable to recover funds form coliseumapparel's account". I am terribly disappointed by the way my purchase was handled.

I wouldn't advise anyone to make purchases from them-EVER!

[Phrozen1ne]

I had a similar experience with that coliseum apparel. I waited a about a month and half for my Barack the vote shirt. I emailed, filed a claim, and he finally got back to me saying that the shirt is in high demand and he is waiting on a shipment to come in. My response: NOT MY PROBLEM. I paid for a shirt that should have only taken 2wks to get to my house. He didn't have to wait on my payment! Eventually I got my shirt, but I wouldn't advise anyone to buy a product from him.