Showing our AOII Pride

Robin Lee Beltramini, Iota Chapter (U of Illinois), Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee

Whether we are attending International Convention or a meeting or banquet at home, showing our AOII membership and pride to the world is always available through the wearing of our badge—in ways that make our sisterhood proud to claim us.

Dress codes for organized activities, whether social, group, school, or business have changed over the years. We don’t always wear long dresses during the day as they did in 1897, and for several years afterward. We often wear pants—slacks, nice jeans. We wear skirts, blouses, short and long dresses. We attend formal events and picnics.

Sometimes we must wear a uniform, or work, or play clothes that do not lend themselves to an individualized, polished, put-together look. Not a good time to bring out the badge. If it’s play clothes, maybe an AOII logo tee shirt is more appropriate. Our badge is not appropriate on athletic wear, sweatshirts, or tank tops.
A few years ago, the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee decided, with the approval of AOII’s Executive Board, that better and less restrictive instructions needed to be made regarding when AOIIs needed to wear something specific, such as a white dress. We want all of us to feel comfortable wearing our badge anytime we feel like we reflect credit on our fraternity. So, now there are few restrictions to showing your personality through clothing when wearing our badge. We can wear colors and prints, even under our robes during rituals. We can wear slacks, even under our robes. We can wear sandals as well as more structured shoes, but not flip flops, slippers, or athletic shoes. If you are attending International Convention, there are a few restrictions: convention rituals will require black clothing and shoes.

For many of us, our badge, representing our membership in Alpha Omicron Pi, is one of our most treasured possessions. So, feel free to wear it to a formal event, even yours or another AOII’s wedding. Obviously, our AOII Guide to Badge Wear gives all kinds of examples of when and how to wear your badge. Some say, “You can wear the AOII badge whenever you are dressed as you might be for a professional interview.” I, personally, think, “Would I wear this to meet the Founders?” If my answer is, “Yes,” I wear my badge on my clothing, or as a ring or pendant. If you own multiple badges, you may wear those too, but only one at a time on clothing.

In the end, it is our responsibility to look and act in ways that will reflect credit on the Fraternity. Our badge is like a giant sign to the world that AOII matters in each of our lives. It is a quiet, subtle advertising campaign that reaps huge results because it impacts those we actually touch. Because of our badge and the pride in wearing it, often, Alpha Omicron Pi will recruit more members and make us stronger, together.

You may contact the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee (RT&J) about anything Ritual-related at RT&J@alphaomicronpi.org