Wearing Pins… very perplexing… August 29, 2007
Posted by balcoholic in Kappa Kappa Psi, Letters & Pins.trackback
I’m sorry to say that I don’t think I have an answer to the wearing pins ordeal. I agree with Jennai Ell in that, you shouldn’t have to wear your pin and I’m pondering the same question of “Why do we wear our pins?”
When I was active, I wore my active pin everyday, all day (exepting the swimming, sleeping, sex, etc). I felt pride to wear my pin; to show that I earned it. That, and I always remember this story that was told to me by one of the alpha brothers of my chapter….
I believe he was in an airport on his way somewhere (correct me if I’m wrong, those who know the story) and he saw a line of military officers (of some sort) none of whom he knew. All of the sudden, one of the officers broke rank, came over and shook his hand (and it wasn’t just a regular shake). Perplexed by the officer breaking rank and coming over to him he was confused as to how he knew that they were brothers and realized that he was wearing his active pin.
I think that for me, I always wore mine in hopes that I would meet someone from somewhere else and have an instant bond with them. You can’t wear letters everyday (well, you can, but you know, that costs a lot to have that many shirts) and I was afraid that I’d miss out on an awesome meeting if I didn’t wear my pin.
Between that and having pride in showing I was an active member, I wanted to wear my pin. Maybe we can encourage in other ways than just positive reinforcement?
I think stories like this can encourage others to wear their pins. If I am going to any sort of large gathering, and definately if that large gathering involves music, I break out my active pin ( I can’t quite afford one of those pretty life member pins yet). I do so for reasons much like the one this story illustrates. You never know who you might meet, and meeting other Brothers or Sisters is always an awesome experience. They can become a contact in a strange city, or just another friend.
As for positive reinforcement (i.e. a prize for having your pin on at rehearsal) I think wearing your pin and having people know you are a Brother should be reinforcement enough. Pride in the Bond can not be created with geegads but has to come from within each Brother and each Chapter.
I’ll get off my soapbox.