You cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do.
Warren Central
High School
Beta Club
Membership Handbook
Beta Club Pledge
I do solemnly declare that I shall always strive to hold fast to the principles of honesty to endeavor constantly to maintain a creditable record; to cultivate in my life and conduct the principles of morality, service, and leadership. I further pledge myself to cooperate with the members of the National Beta Club in the promotion of a sense of individual responsibility to our school, community, state and nation to make right the master of might; and to consecrate our comradeship to mutual helpfulness and to the betterment of our fellow students.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the National Beta Club shall be to promote the ideals of character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students, to reward meritorious achievement and to encourage and assist students in continuing their education after high school.
Vision Statement
The National Beta Club, a student-centered organization, continually develops and nurtures individuals by providing opportunities and experiences enabling them to demonstrate the ideals of character, achievement, service and leadership in a global community.
Beta Creed
Honesty, Justice, Service, Cooperation, Responsibility, Industriousness, Humility, and Charity
Motto
The motto of the club shall be “Ducamus aliis serviendo”
“Let us lead by serving others.”
Colors
The colors of the Beta Club shall be gold gold and black.
Scholarship
Scholarship means a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study, knowing the lasting benefit of a cultivated mind. We should continue to learn even when formal education has ended, for education ends only with the end of life. Knowledge is one great element in life which leads to the highest success, and it can be the lamp by which we read the past, and the light which illuminates the future. Members have the charge to continually expand their world through the opportunities inherent in scholarship.
Service
Service can be described in various ways. In routine of the day’s work, many opportunities to help others arise. Willingness to work for the benefit of those in need, without monetary compensation or without recognition, is the quality we promote in our members. We are committed to the idea of volunteering our time and abilities to the creation of a better tomorrow.
Leadership
Leadership should exert a wholesome influence on the school. In taking the initiative in class and school activities, the real leader strives to train and aid others to attain the same objective. The price of leadership is sacrifice--the willingness to yield one’s personal interest for the interest of others. A leader has self-confidence and a will to go forward when others hesitate. No matter what power and resources may exist in a country, they are ineffectual without the guidance of a wise leader. Leadership is always needed. Thus, to lead is a substantive charge to each of our members and to the candidates for membership.
Character
Character is the force within each individual which distinguishes that person from others. It gives one individuality. It is that without which no one can respect oneself, nor hope to attain the respect of others. It is the force of character that guides one through life and, when once developed, grows steadily. Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant action and the daily striving to make the right choice. The problem of character is the problem of self-control. We must be in reality what we wish to appear to others. By demonstrating such qualities as reliability, honesty, and sincerity, we may hope to prove by example that we value character.
Citizenship
Citizenship is vital to the strength of our country. It requires effort and commitment. Without it, there would be a lack of democracy. In the words of the late President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Citizenship is the willingness of each person to participate responsibly in the affairs that govern America--the country that will boast our Beta members as the future leaders and successful citizens.
Beta History
The National Beta Club began with 15 members in Landrum, South Carolina. There are now more than 416,000 active members in Junior and Senior divisions and more than 7,700 clubs in 44 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Guam, Russia and Germany.
The founder of the National Beta Club is Dr. John West Harris – who gave life and continuity to Beta--founding it upon the tenets of: Character, Leadership, Achievement, Scholarship, Service…these became key words associated with the National Beta Club. “Let us lead by serving others” became the motto.
Formation of the club at Landrum was followed by the chartering of eight others in South Carolina before the end of 1934. At the end of the following year, there were 75 Beta Clubs in four states. Endorsements continued to flow in as the Beta Club expanded. The first Beta journal was printed in September 1934.
Membership Statement
The Beta Club has a total membership of over 417,000 members. The total number of alumni is in excess of 5,200,000 members.
Membership is made up of grades 10-12. There is a one-time membership fee of $25 for the Senior division of the National Beta Club with a $15 yearly fee. All members must be performing on or above grade level.
Membership is a privilege and not a right. The qualification for membership on the part of the student shall be: (a) worthy, moral and ethical character, (b) good mentality, (c) creditable achievement, and (d) commendable attitude. The standards and means for appraising these qualities shall be determined by the advisors and administration of the school where the club is located.
About Beta at WCHS
· WCHS Beta Club is a nationally recognized academic and service club.
· Members are chosen based on their 9th grade academic achievement.
· Members must pay dues the year they are inducted.
· In order to remain in the club members must maintain a “B” average. If the student’s average falls below a “B” average, he/she will be placed on academic probation for one nine-week period. If grades improve, he/she will remain an active member. If grades do not improve, the student will only have one more nine weeks to resolve the probationary period before exclusion from the club.
WCHS Beta Club Chapter By-Laws
Selection of Candidates for Membership
Candidates will be selected upon the previously mentioned criteria. Invitation for membership will occur only once and during the freshmen year. This will be the only opportunity for invitation to membership.
Member Duties and Responsibilities
Meetings
All meetings are mandatory. Students are expected to attend at least two meetings each year. The secretary will be at the door and will initial members’ names from the roster as they enter the meetings.
Beta Activities/Events
All Beta activities/involve planning and preparation and are to be considered mandatory. A one day written notice is required of any extenuating circumstance that prevents participation. At each activity/event roll will be taken.
Specifically, Beta Club Induction Ceremony attendance and participation is required of ALL current members and inductees.
All members are expected to be active participants in all other fundraising, service learning, and enrichment activities including preparation for and/or attendance at the annual Kentucky Beta Club Convention.
All deadlines will be adhered to and not deviated from under any circumstances unless it is authorized by the advisors and extended to every member of the club. This is enacted to ensure all fairness and to promote responsibility among the members of this organization. Please do not ask for special considerations.
Fundraising & Community Service Projects
Mandatory Service Learning opportunities are CLUB Efforts and will require the active participation of every member.
Any activity/event completed for any immediate family member cannot count as out of school service hours.
Proper paperwork must be completed for all out of school hours. Paperwork must be submitted to advisors during the nine weeks in which the activity/event occurs. Beta Club members’ parents may not sign out of school paperwork. Service hours submitted outside of this process (on notebook paper, etc.) will be discarded.
Required Number of Service Hours
All students are required to complete a minimum of four (4) service hours per school year to maintain membership.
Beta Member Status
Excellent – Members have attended all meetings and have completed all service hours by the due dates.
Good-Standing – Member has missed 1-2 meetings for the year. Member has completed all service hours by the due dates.
Probationary – Member has missed three meetings. Member has not completed all service hours by the due dates. Member has not maintained a “B” average.
Expulsion – Member has missed all meetings. Member has not completed at least half of the service hours by the due dates. Member has not maintained a “B” average.
Disciplinary Measures
Since the National Beta Club is a merit organization, members who fail to maintain a creditable record, or who give evidence of personal conduct unbecoming members of this club, may be disqualified from membership. Personal conduct unbecoming members of this club includes, but is not limited to, criminal activity, violation of school rules, and other conduct which falls below the moral and ethical standards of the community. However, the administrator may at any time and for reasons which appear to him/her to be sufficient, disqualify a member from the club.
A member may be reinstated, with no additional membership fee, when the administrator determines that the student is once again worthy of membership. All reinstatements must be reported promptly to the Executive Director by the administrator and secretary.
Beta Club Member Guidebook Receipt and Acknowledgement
Every Beta member has the responsibility to thoroughly read and uphold the expectations and guidelines included in this handbook. Parents are expected to read the guidebook as well. A signature from the student and parent indicates agreement to uphold the expectations and guidelines included in this handbook. Please return this guidebook to your advisors with the Receipt and Acknowledgement Form.