Hobbies And Interests
Membership Pins
Greek Letter Organizations bestow pins on members when they are first pledged to the organization, and the pledge is required to wear his or her pin in a visible location at all times it is considered safe (certain activities may prohibit wearing the pin, such as sports, medical procedures, etc). Like the lettered apparel, members and pledges are not to wear material that displays their affiliation with the organization while engaging in certain behaviors, including consumption of alcohol or tobacco products.
Membership Apparel
Fraternities and sororities offer members the opportunity to purchase lettered apparel in a variety of styles and types, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, flip-flop sandals, gym shorts, socks, caps, lanyards and more. There are also key rings, key fobs and other non-wearable lettered items. Members are called to much stricter standards when wearing lettered apparel than pins because of the high visibility factor of the apparel, though like pin etiquette, members should refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol while representing the organization.
Membership Jewelry
Necklace pendants, bracelet charms, rings, bracelets, toe rings, earrings, belly button rings, dog tags, watches, cuff links, tie tacks and rubber wrist bands are all popular ways for members to proclaim their membership and pride in their Greek organization. The jewelry can be composed of base metals and inexpensive detailing, or can be elaborate and expensive items worth hundreds of dollars.
Lavalieres, Charms and Dangles
Officers within Greek organizations receive special charm dangles, specific to their role within the fraternity or sorority. The detailed dangles represent the positions of chaplain, secretary, treasurer and several other sorority- or fraternity-specific positions.
Lavalieres are a popular piece of jewelry among Greek organization members because they are simple charms with the organization's Greek characters stacked vertically. Many Greek organizations have specific rituals pertaining to lavalieres and pass them from one member to another, or from a fraternity member to his girlfriend.
Membership Pin Sale
Auction sites such as eBay have become a hunting ground for people who collect membership pins from fraternities and sororities, whether it be for specific chapters or organizations, or to simply collecting whatever pins are available for purchase. Several organizations have rules regarding the transferral of a pin from the ownership of the original member, with some going so far as to request the return of the pin of a deceased member from that member's kin. Collectors of membership pins often have clandestine meetings to prevent infiltration by Greek members who feel it is their duty to prevent the sale and collection of pins.