The Significance of the Badge

The Badge is the emblem of membership in IODE. The seven-pointed star on a dark blue background has at its centre the Royal Union Flag (Union Jack) showing our pride that Canada is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 

The surrounding white circle embodying the name of the Organization in gold lettering is securely clasped at the base and symbolizes the unity of purpose of all members. The crown surmounting the Badge represents loyalty to the Queen of Canada. 

Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth and the Head of State in Canada. The Governor General is the representative of the Queen in Canada.
 
In 2012, Canada celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, or 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne as Queen of Canada. Queen Elizabeth II is the Patron of IODE Canada. 

Some IODE members will also have a bar (or several bars) above their badge designating them as a past president/regent and/or a life member in either their own chapter and/or at the Municipal, Provincial or National levels.

The badge is always worn over a member’s heart.

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REGULATIONS for IODE BADGES, BARS AND PINS

Primary Badge

The wearing of the primary badge denotes IODE membership.  The badge is worn to the left side approximately five to six inches from the shoulder.

IODE Bars and Pins

(a)   A past primary president/past regent bar is attached by links directly above the badge.

(b)   Life membership bars are attached by links to the badge or the past primary president/past regent bar, with the primary bar directly above, followed by municipal, provincial and national bars in order of seniority.

(c)   A past municipal president bar is attached by links above any primary bars and below any provincial bars.

(d)   A past provincial president bar is attached by links above any primary, municipal and provincial life membership bars and below a National life membership bar.

(e)   A National life membership bar takes precedence over all the above named.

(f)    War service bars are attached by links above any or all the above named; the United Nations bar above the 1939 bar and the 1939 bar above the 1914 bar.

NOTE: To be eligible to wear war service bars one must have been a member of IODE during the years of personal service or of the service of a spouse, son or daughter, granddaughter or grandson.  Badges with war bars are not transferrable.

(g)   A past National president bar pin is not attached to the badge and is worn above the badge and bars. This bar pin may be worn by itself at anytime.


(h)   Ten, twenty-five or fifty-year pins are worn to the left and level with the primary badge (and junior badge if any).  If the primary badge has bars attached, the pins are worn level with the badge. 

 
Note:  The fifty year pin replaces the twenty-five year pin and the twenty-five year pin replaces the ten year pin.  Only one should be worn. 

NOTES:
(a)   A junior badge when worn with a primary badge is not attached but worn to the left and level with the primary badge.  If the primary badge has bars attached, the junior badge is worn level with the badge, not the bars.

(b)   The IODE badge should not be referred to as a "pin".

(c)   Only IODE badges, bars and pins are to be worn on the left side.

(d)   It is suggested that brooches, pins and corsages may be worn on the opposite (right) shoulder.  Badges should not be worn to fasten scarves, even on the left side.

(e)   Name tags should be worn on the right side.