Phrateres UBC, Theta Chapter

General Information

 letters = Φ |
 name = Phrateres |
 crest =  |
 founded = December 10th, 1924 |
 birthplace = University of California, Los Angeles |
 type = Social |
 scope = International |
 chapters = 1 active collegiate 
(22 inactive collegiate) |
 colors = Blue & Gold |
 motto = Famous for Friendliness |
 flower = Yellow Tea Rose |
 publication = The Thetan (current, Theta Chapter only), 
The Phraterean (former, published by Phrateres International) |
 philanthropy = multiple |
 address = University of British Columbia |
 city = Vancouver |
 state = British Columbia |
 country = Canada |
 free_label = Nickname |
 free = Phis, Phratereans (historically) |
 homepage = http://www.phrateres.com/ |}}

Phrateres (frah|TAIR|eez) is a philanthropic-social organization for female students at university.

History

Phrateres was founded at UCLA in 1924 by the Dean of Women, Helen Matthewson Laughlin. The intention was to bring "independent" women students (i.e. those not in dormitories or sororities) into a collective group for the purposes of socialization and philanthropy. However, the new group proved popular and soon membership was extended to any female student who wished to join. Members now included those who lived in dorms, commuted to campus, as well as members of sororities. Word spread to other colleges, especially those on the West Coast. The Beta Chapter was installed at the University of Washington in 1929. The 1930s saw the installation of ten more chapters: Gamma & Delta in 1930, Epsilon in 1931, Zeta in 1932, Eta in 1933, Theta & Iota in 1935, Kappa in 1936, Lambda in 1937, and Nu in 1939. Phrateres now had chapters in seven states and one province in Canada (Theta at UBC would remain the only Canadian chapter from 1935 to 1961). The 1940s brought four more chapters: Xi & Omicron in 1941, Rho in 1942, and Sigma in 1945, for a total of sixteen Active collegiate chapters (the most ever at one time). However, from 1945 until the late 1950s, three of those chapters closed: Delta, Eta, and Omicron. Their chapter names were later reused for newly installed chapters at different schools in 1950 (Delta), 1958 (Eta), and 1964 (Omicron). Along with those, the final four chapters were installed in the 1960s, including three more in Canada: Omega in 1961, Tau in 1966, Phi in the mid to late 1960s, and Psi in 1967.

From the 1930s to the 1990s, conventions were held every one to two years, with members of the host chapter housing delegates from other chapters. Chapters could win awards, such as "Most Active Chapter" and "Best Scrapbook."

In the 1990s, only three Active collegiate chapters remained: Theta, Lambda, and the second Eta (the former in Canada; the latter two in Arizona, both of which were co-ed by this time). Eta closed during that decade and Lambda closed in 2000. Now, the only Active collegiate chapter was Theta at the University of British Columbia. The Phrateres International Board saw little purpose to its own existence (being that only one Active chapter remained) and disbanded in 2001. As of 2012, the Theta Chapter still exists at UBC in the form of a self-governing AMS (Alma Mater Society, UBC's student society) club.

Phrateres has had 23 chapters installed. Nineteen were in the United States, with Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin each having one chapter; Arizona, Illinois, and Washington each having two; and the remaining eight all in California (three of which were in Los Angeles alone). The remaining four were in Canada, with one in Ontario and three in British Columbia, including Theta, the sole remaining active chapter.

Alumnae Chapters

The collegiate Theta Chapter hosts an annual "Alumnae Tea" each February (celebrating date of installation at UBC). Theta alumnae, some of whom are from the established Theta Alumnae Chapter, are always present. The collegiate Theta Chapter is interested in hearing from any other Alumnae or Alumnae Chapters in existence.

Despite the short life of the collegiate Zeta Chapter at Carroll College, a strong Alumnae Chapter grew and is still in existence.

Theta Chapter

History

The only remaining active chapter was often the largest during the heyday of Phrateres. In the mid-1930s, Clare Brown (President of the Women's Undergraduate Society) petitioned Mary Bollert (Dean of Women) to bring Phrateres to UBC. The Theta Chapter was installed on February 1, 1935. It was the eighth chapter installed, but the first Canadian chapter.

From installation until the 1970s, membership was large enough to support as many as 12 Sub-Chapters. Each Sub-Chapter had its own president and council, with all Sub-Chapters falling under the control of an executive council comprising the Rho Sub-Chapter. Each Sub-Chapter also had a faculty advisor and recruited members separately. This promoted friendly competition between the Sub-Chapters.

4 S's:

Phrateres' activities are based on our 4S's: Sisterhood, Sports, Social, and Service.

Sisterhood

Phrateres has been a way for thousands of women to meet people, and make lifelong friends. This is facilitated through our activities, which include:

• Big/Little Sister program: Each pledge is matched up with an active, who will be an advisor/confidant throughout their Little's pledge period. The bond between big and little is very special, and often times a lifetime bond is forged.

• Girly Nights In/Out: Our sisterhood events are all about having fun, and building our bond together. Our sisterhood events include joint birthday parties, "Beautifulized", fondue and movie nights, and of course, our famous 'Wine n Vibe'.

• Study Tables: Our longer motto includes the words “developing the individual by introducing the members for leadership, unselfish service, scholarship, participation in university activities, and a well-balanced social life.” We hold study table sessions where we try to keep each other accountable and on task.

Of course, our sisterhood extends past these official events. We support each other and celebrate each other's successes.

Sports

• Participation in UBC Rec leagues, tournaments, and events: The athletic ability of Phrateres come in all forms. Our main focus though, is having fun. We have sisters who turned from disliking sports to enjoying it because they joined the Fly Phi teams.

• Watching sports: Phrateres has always supported the UBC Thunderbirds, from our days of being Homecoming Queen. We watch and cheer for our varsity athletes.

Social

• Exchanges with fraternities: Exchanges are basically activities that we do with fraternities. It is a chance to get to know men in fraternities and have fun. As well, we attend frat parties together.

• Semiformal and Formal: Near the end of each term, we have a semiformal and a formal. This is a great time to either get out your grad dress, or buy a new one :) Sisters are expected to either bring a date, or be set up. Semiformal includes a pre-party, and dancing at a venue. Formal includes a dinner, the presentation of awards, and more dancing! We have learned through our experiences that although semi and Phormal are officially classified as 'Social' events, a lot of sisterhood bonding occurs here too. Whose going to go dress/makeup shopping with you, giggle about your date with you, ensure that you get home safely, dance for too many hours, and have epic fun with you? Definitely your Phrateres sisters :)

Philanthropy

The Theta Chapter organizes and participates in various philanthropic events throughout the year. Having no official charity, the club helps a variety of organizations.

Annual events include:

• Terry Fox Run: each September the chapter organizes a Terry Fox Run on the westside of Vancouver. The current route takes participants through the Pacific Spirit Park. The 2005 Run commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. That year, the local run organized by Phrateres raised $26,000.
• Show of Hearts Telethon: each February the Theta Chapter volunteers time to answer phones during the Show of Hearts Telethon. The telethon is a fundraiser for Variety - The Children's Charity. Members usually take shifts from midnight to 4 am and/or 4 am to 8 am.
• 24 Hour Relay: each June the Theta Chapter participates in the 24 Hour Relay. This event is organized by the B.C. Lions Society for Children with Disabilities, a group under the umbrella of Easter Seals. Teams camp at Burnaby's Central Park and send runners and walkers on a 4 km route through the park, starting and ending in Swangard Stadium. In the 2008 relay, held June 14-15th, the Theta Chapter fundraised $2,688.83 and the entire relay raised $1,315,304. All funds raised help send disabled children to specially equipped summer camps in British Columbia.
• Phrateres Party: during the second term of the school year, the chapter hosts a party, benefiting a different organization each year. It is a costume party, and the theme since 2004 has been a Flintstones/general caveman medley, under the name "Bedrock". Until 2008, the party was held at a fraternity house on campus (most recently, Psi Upsilon and Delta Kappa Epsilon), with that fraternity and the Theta Chapter splitting the proceeds. In 2008, the Theta chapter opted to host the party themselves at the Pit Pub in the Student Union Building. The 2008 party proceeds went to Right to Play. Previous to the "Bedrock" theme, the party was held annually under the "Boxer Bash" name.

Pledgeship

All women are encouraged and welcomed to join our organization. Pledgeship involves a year where members get to participate in our organization's events and get to know what we are about. Pledges often form strong bonds with their pledge classes and enjoy this period of flexible fun. Pledges will also have the opportunity to take on leadership roles by running to become their Pledge President, and organizing a pledge project together.

External links

• Theta Chapter