Gammy Bug

[AOII Angel]

I'm not a Gamma Phi or anything, but why do y'all need a mascot?! It makes you different. Personally, I really like your crescent moon...is that not a symbol/mascot? AOII has done fine without a crest for 111 years and the panda is only unofficial anyway!

[SWTXBelle]

No, we don't NEED one - but I wondered how others felt about it. Would they LIKE one?

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

No, we don't NEED one - but I wondered how others felt about it. Would they LIKE one?

Just adding weight to the anti- side of the issue! I'll butt out now!

[breathesgelatin]

It's interesting because there seems (maybe_ to be a national move toward adopting official mascots. ASA just adopted an official mascot at their convention this summer - "Dot," a ladybug. She's really cute!

I actually didn't realize Gamma Phi didn't have a national mascot before this - but I did realize ASA didn't before they selected Dot. As an outsider, I think it's nice to have a mascot for reasons of branding (more important) and so that licensees can make fun plushies and stuff with your mascot (less important - clearly!). In my mind, though, Gamma Phi was always strongly associated with the crescent, so it almost serves as both as a symbol and mascot. Although I don't know if they make crescent plushies. LOL. But I'm sure for other things - coffee mugs and such - the crescent serves just fine in the first place.

I guess I'm rambling at this point, but my main thought is that it's good to have a solid national image/symbol that everyone recognizes - and it seems to me that maybe the crescent already does that for Gamma Phi. In cases like ASA, where there isn't as much of a nationally associated symbol/mascot, adopting a mascot is probably a good strategy...

Just my .02.

[crescent&pearls]

^^^ the unified mascot thing has been tossed around for some time, but you're right, it's the crescent moon that serves as our primary symbol associated with the Gamma Phi Beta brand. It's kind of cool that each chapter can adopt it's own "mascot" or no mascot at all..it gives each chapter an opportunity to express its individuality much like AOII chapters can choose their own motto.

The Gammy bug? well personally I think it's cute but it's time has passed. I sort of like the idea of adopting your campus mascot as your chapter mascot. That makes a meaningful tie to your university and campus involvement and school spirit have always been part of the Gamma Phi story.

As for me...I love the crescent moon, shining in the sky...