Alumni - When Do You Wear Your Badge

[NutBrnHair]

Usually only at Chi Omega or NPC events, but sometimes when I attend board meetings for other volunteer community organizations.

[Katmandu]

I wear crest and letter jewelry all the time... rings, bracelets etc. I have a white gold and pearl dagger pin with AOT down the side that I also wear frequently.

I wear one of my vintage badges to work at least once a week and wear a badge to church frequently. Because of the dagger symbol at the top of the pin, (and because I work in a church environment) I am often asked if it is a religious badge or award because at a quick glance, the dagger can look like a cross. When I say it is my sorority pin, people typically say, "ooo it's beautiful, what sorority?". I have never had a negative reaction, and have met a couple of sisters because of it, who always say, "I should wear mine sometime!"

I would love to see more alumni wearing their badges, especially now since rules are relaxed in many groups and the pin can be worn on a lapel, as a ring or necklace. I suspect the main barrier is the fact that many people work in a very relaxed environment and aren't "dressed to pin" most days.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Katmandu

[snip]I suspect the main barrier is the fact that many people work in a very relaxed environment and aren't "dressed to pin" most days.

I wholeheartedly agree! If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: I'd rather seen a pin worn incorrectly yet respectfully than a thousand pins in a drawer!

[groovypq]

I wear mine every Tuesday during the academic year! :-) I'm a chapter adviser and that's my chapter's meeting day. I'm dressed up anyway.

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by SilverTurtle

What other times/places/events do you wear your badge? We don't have actual requirements for dress, although it's sort of customary that it's only worn with business casual or nicer clothing.

Aside from sorority events, I wear mine on the anniversary of my initiation (November 18), as well as Founders' Day (March 4), International Badge Day (first week of March), and my birthday (March 6). Obviously, this means I sometimes wear it three days in a row, but I rather enjoy that. I sometimes wear it on our actual day of founding (January 4) as well.

So basically, it's days that are special to me and to my fraternity. I rarely wear my badge on "any old day," which makes me wish we had an actual recognition pin I could wear "any old day."

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by honeychile

But I do wear my pin to church at this time of year. Lots of students heading to college, and it's my way of promoting Greek. I've seen other alumnae wear theirs to church now, too.

I'm ashamed I hadn't thought of that!! Bad Liz! Bad! I shall start this Sunday.

[SthrnZeta]

I totally forgot that I also have worn mine on Founder's Day and on my chapter's founding date (two days before our national date, lol).

I think badge attire day is Mondays where I work so maybe I'll start wearing it on Mondays as well. I had always worried about trying to look like a student or "re-live glory days" but I think maybe I'll try to stop worrying about if people perceive me as doing that and just rep Zeta The chapter that I advise has their meetings on Sundays so that wouldn't work for me.

[AZTheta]

I wear my badge at least once a week to work. Now that I have a badge holder that I can use, I think I'll be wearing the standard badge as a necklace, often.

I love my badge; I love all badges, but you all already know that. Each one is so unique and beautiful. It's a not-so-secret wish of mine that more people would wear their badges out and about.

[SWTXBelle]

I wear my badge ring every day at school, church, and of course Alumnae Panhellenic meetings. I will start to wear my "badge badge" to church - thanks for the idea, honeychile!

[Sister Havana]

Originally Posted by steelerbear

Aside from sorority events, I wear mine on the anniversary of my initiation (November 18), as well as Founders' Day (March 4), International Badge Day (first week of March), and my birthday (March 6). Obviously, this means I sometimes wear it three days in a row, but I rather enjoy that. I sometimes wear it on our actual day of founding (January 4) as well.

So basically, it's days that are special to me and to my fraternity. I rarely wear my badge on "any old day," which makes me wish we had an actual recognition pin I could wear "any old day."

Oooh! I love the idea of wearing the badge on the anniversary of initiation. I may do that myself!

[jessica.lanelle]

I wear mine on Founder's Day, NPC Badge Day, and sometimes to work. I sometimes wear it for good luck, as well.

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

I had always worried about trying to look like a student or "re-live glory days" but I think maybe I'll try to stop worrying about if people perceive me as doing that and just rep Zeta

Amen!! I think a lot of alums hesitate because they fear that others may be "amused" at them trying to re-live younger days.. but our collegian membership is only a tiny portion of our sorority membership and we shouldn't care if some random person thinks it's strange. Our pins are so beautiful, and they represent such high and wonderful ideals. Every time I pin it to my lapel, I think, "Ok, today... ta kala diokomen...strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, highest". Somedays, I need all of the reminders of that I can get.

[LucyKKG]

I wear mine on Founders' Day (Oct 13), International Bade Day (March 4ish), and my chapter's founding date (April 29). I haven't worn it at my new workplace yet, but I did wear my lavalier once. Hmm...

[Alumiyum]

I haven't worn mine since I "went alum", but that's mostly because the diamond fell out and I haven't replaced it yet, so it's been sitting in a box with a ring that I need fixed for a long time now. I'll wear it to any sorority functions I show up to, and on Badge Day once I get it fixed. I don't plan on wearing it otherwise for a while...I'm a recent alum and am once again a student on the same campus where I was a collegian and I like to separate myself so that I don't get mistaken for a collegian, especially during Recruitment.

[SilverTurtle]

These are some great suggestions - keep 'em coming!

I haven't thought to wear it on our Founders Day - that's a great suggestion. (Of course, it also coincides with Cinqo De Mayo, so I'll have to remember to take if off if I go out )