Dear Theta Phi Alphas,
Who decides Theta Phi Alpha’s narrative, what names we go by, how we present ourselves to our campuses and the community, and how we identify ourselves on social media? Our Founders named our organization Theta Phi Alpha in 1912. Since that time, the responsibility has been transferred to the Grand Council. In addition to our Articles of Association that were filed in 1912, we now have trademarks, a website, an official color palette, and a new Policy on Branding, Style, and Usage of Name.
The Grand Council approved the Policy on Branding, Style, and Usage of Name in December 2024. This policy (found in the National Policy and Procedure Handbook on page 38 in the Member Portal – effective March 1, 2025) states that our members will follow:
- the Policy on Use of Insignia on page 57 and
- the Usage Guide – Definition of Legal Name, Trade Name, and Trademark
The Name Usage Guide was updated to include the Fraternity’s acceptable names (Theta Phi Alpha, Theta Phi) and unacceptable names (TPA, Theta).
With the Policy on Branding, Style, and Usage of Name, we ask our members, chapters, associations, clubs, and national officers to do the following.
- Say and write only the acceptable names.
- Use Theta Phi Alpha, Theta Phi, or 𝚯𝚽𝚨 on posters, banners, t-shirts, decorations, etc.
- Update official social media account names if TPA or only Theta is included in the name.
- Update official email addresses used for Fraternity communication if TPA or only Theta is included in the name.
- Name documents using acceptable names
- Update documents, folders, accounts, etc, that use TPA or only Theta as you find them
- Kindly correct college panhellenic councils, alumnae panhellenic associations, and others who say or write TPA or Theta – this could include our own members!
- Please consider updating any personal email addresses that use TPA or only Theta. If the email address cannot be updated, consider creating a new one.
- Use the Symbols font or Greek alphabet keyboard to write 𝚯𝚽𝚨
- Use shortcut features on your phone or computer to write Theta Phi Alpha when you start writing our name.
All of us are responsible for ensuring that we are known as Theta Phi Alpha or Theta Phi. Please be proud to be a Theta Phi Alpha, Theta Phi, ӨФA!! If we are unwilling to be true to who we are, how can we expect others to call us by our proper name, know who we are, and be true to our values?
I encourage you to read my September 2024 blog for more information on why it is important that we own and promote our identity. Please share a photo showing Theta Phi Alpha, Theta Phi, or 𝚯𝚽𝚨 using our Photo and Video Submission form. Enjoy some of my pictures!
Yours in the Bonds of Sisterhood,
Kristin Henkenius
National President
