How much time do I need to commit?
It depends on your role with the Fraternity. If you are president, vice president, etc., you will have different responsibilities than a committee member. Either way your responsibilities will require at least five hours of your time per week the first year.

What is different about being a founding father?
You have the freedom and responsibility to help shape the direction of the fraternity. Rather than adapt to a culture that does not align with your beliefs, you have the ability to build your own positive experience and leave a legacy for those who will become members in the years after you graduate. Simply, immediate leadership opportunities exist instead of having to wait two or three years.  Becoming a founding father provides the chance to help bring positive change to the entire Greek community at your campus and breathe life into Beta Theta Pi.

What opportunities are available for leadership development?
Within Beta on your campus – chapter officer positions, committee chairs and inter-fraternity representative positions.  Within Beta Theta Pi – The John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle, Beta Wilderness Challenge, Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute (UIFI), Futures Quest, Leadership College at the General Convention and Keystone Regional Leadership Conferences.

How much does it cost?
See the Membership Costs page (click here).

What support would founding fathers receive from the General Fraternity?
The newly established Beta colony has a full advisory team consisting of a chapter counselor, risk management advisor, financial advisor, pledge education advisor and recruitment advisor. These advisors have completed General Fraternity advisor training and will support the colony as mentors and advisors. In addition to receiving support from local advisors, the colony will receive on-site assistance from a General Fraternity leadership consultant in its first year and regular visits its second year and beyond. The colony will also receive ongoing support from a colony educator, a traveling leadership consultant, as well as sponsorships to UIFI, The Wooden Institute, and the Beta Wilderness Challenge.

What do we have to do to be installed as a chapter?
Fulfill requirements as set by our Board of Trustees, including at least 40 men initiated, housing arrangements, maintain financial stability, demonstrate academic excellence as a group and completion of all requirements set by the chartering committee at the General Convention. A charter petition must be prepared, voted and passed by the General Convention. (Chartering requirements)

What do we need to concentrate on in the first year, second year?

First year: Focus on becoming a recognized student organization, learn how to function as a chapter (running chapter meetings, writing a constitution and by-laws, holding officer elections, etc.), building bonds of brotherhood with fellow founding fathers, recruit more principled gentlemen, work toward accomplishing the colony’s goals, and live out the values of the Fraternity in your daily actions.

Second year/Third Year: Prepare the petition for chartering to be evaluated at the General Convention, set new Men of Principle goals and work to attain them throughout the year, recruit two pledge classes, educate new members, initiate the first pledge class following the founding fathers and live out the values of the Fraternity in your daily actions.

Fraternities have a bad name, which is why I didn't join to begin with. How will I not be associated with those stereotypes?
Fraternities are idealistic in nature, and founding father groups embody fraternal values. Internationally, many fraternities are moving in the direction of dispelling these stereotypes through programming and initiatives. You can be a part of changing that stereotype and creating the exemplary Fraternity on campus, while creating friendships and bonds that will last throughout your life.

What is the Men of Principle initiative?
The Men of Principle initiative is a broad-based support mechanism that was created to help chapters strive to reach the vision of the Fraternity through the nine goals of The Initiative. It is not a cookie-cutter program, but instead challenges chapters and colonies to set their own goals for their own chapters that are realistic, manageable and attainable. The Men of Principle initiative encourages chapters to continually improve by setting goals and holding themselves accountable to reach those goals. It serves as an opportunity to live up to the founding principles of the organization. To see a more detailed history of Men of Principle over the last 10 years, please click here.

Since the founding father process takes more time than a typical fraternity, how can I be a good founding father and still remain involved?
The founding father process does require work and time, but other commitments can enhance this experience and help with time management. The more involved the founding fathers are, the easier recruitment and campus relations become.

I need a lot of time for studies, and will be taking grad school tests next year (or some time.) Will I be able to balance all of this?
Similar to above, the experience is strengthened by academics, and we mutually support and assist each other to excel in classroom. Beta Theta Pi believes in devotion to the cultivation of the intellect and thus the experience will not come at the expense of the student’s academic pursuits. 

If the General Fraternity and alumni will be selecting the members of the Founding Father class, how can we be sure the group will be to our liking?
We have found that the process is conducive to finding members who believe in similar ideas and ideals. Members find that it is a great learning experience to work together with men of diverse backgrounds. Also, you are welcome to meet all involved at any time.

Why should I "Go Beta?"
We believe life is about relationships. You will surround yourself with kind and intelligent people by “Going Beta.” This organization is full of opportunity. It will enrich your life tremendously if you contribute and open yourself up to experience.

A recent graduate offers his answer:

“I joined Beta because of what it stands for. Being a man of principle is a life goal of mine and an ideal I strive to live by every day. Beta has fashioned me into a more well-rounded individual; a man who is ready to step out into the real world and take on life’s most difficult hurdles.  Most of all, I have brotherhood and friendships that will be there the rest of my life.” - Raveesh Richard, Miami (Fla) '07