Mission Statement: Alpha Phi International Fraternity is a membership organization dedicated to promoting sisterhood, cultivating leadership, encouraging intellectual curiosity and advocating service. Alpha Phi develops character for a lifetime. Purpose: The objectives of our Fraternity are the promotion of growth in character; unity of feeling, sisterly affection, and social communion among our members. In all that we do, we try to obey God’s principles of justice and right. We have banded ourselves together to improve our minds and hearts, and we seek to aid each other through a constant WatchCare always given in love. We believe ourselves to be sincere searchers for truth. We seek the highest ideal of womanhood, and we try to gain this
	ideal by cultivating not only the power and passion for seeking intellectual development but, also, the spirit of love and charity. And we who are thus united are under a solemn pledge to lend a helping hand to one another. - Constitution of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, Incorporated, Article II
	Alpha Phi Badge The official badge of Alpha Phi is an unjeweled monogram of gold showing the symbol of Alpha superimposed upon the symbol of Phi. Alpha Phi was the first women’s organization to use Greek letters as an emblem. Originally there was no standard badge. Until 1906 when the current badge was adopted, each member went to the jeweler of her choice to have her pin designed. New Member Pin In 1898 the Fraternity adopted a special badge to honor her newest members. The badge they selected is in the shape of an ivy leaf, set in silver pewter. An ever-growing vine, the ivy symbolizes the growth of the Alpha Phi sisterhood. Symbol The ivy leaf is perhaps our most recognizable symbol. The ivy leaf is reflected in our new member pin and is part of our crest. Ivy symbolizes the intertwining of intellectual, philanthropical and social pursuits. It is also symbolic of the way in which our lives become intertwined with one another's as we become friends and sisters in Alpha Phi. Mascot Our mascot is the "Phi Bear," whose name is taken from the Greek words "Ursa Major," or the "Great Bear." Alpha Phi International adopted the Phi Bear as its mascot in 1974. Many sisters choose to give each other bears as a token of friendship and sisterhood. Coat of Arms The Fraternity Crest is the Alpha Phi coat-of-arms, adopted by Convention delegates in 1922. The shield is bordeaux with a scroll and ivy leaf above it. Inscribed on the scroll is the public motto, "Union Hand In Hand." A bar of silver crosses the shield from left to right; the upper half of the shield contains a Roman lamp in silver and the lower half, Ursa Major. Colors Silver and Bordeaux are Alpha Phi's rich and distinct colors. Alpha Phi's original colors were blue and gold. In 1879, noting that a fraternity had colors too similar to hers, Alpha Phi adopted the more distinctive colors of silver and bordeaux. Members wear their colors in the form of a ribbon of silver/gray and bordeaux, under their badge to acknowledge special occasions, the installation of a new chapter, the anniversary of their chapter's installation or the celebration of Alpha Phi Founders' Day, October 10. Flowers The flowers of Alpha Phi are the Lily-of-the-Valley and the sentimental Forget-Me-Not. The blue and gold of the forget-me-not remind us of our fraternity's original colors. This flower also reminds Alpha Phis to always remember their sisters. Constellation The Fraternity constellation is Ursa Major, the Great Bear. This symbol can be seen on the Alpha Phi crest and is displayed on the ceiling of the Alpha Phi Executive Office in Evanston, Illinois. • More Information Can Be Found at AlphaPhi.org