Charting a Future for Beta Theta Pi
Grounded in our founding values and inspired by the needs of today’s collegians and alumni, Beta Theta Pi’s strategic plan reflects our order’s shared commitment to excellence, accountability, social and intellectual development, and lasting brotherhood.
Our strategic priorities and initiatives are more than aspirations. They are guideposts for progress. Through measurable goals and transparent reporting, we are building momentum and holding ourselves accountable to the ideals that define Beta today and cement its rightful place in the lives of men of all ages now and in the future.
This plan is not static. It will evolve as our brotherhood continues to grow and as the landscape of higher education and Greek life changes. What remains constant is our dedication to strengthening the Beta experience for every member, at every stage of life.
Mission
To develop men of principle for a principled life.
Vision
Every member will live Beta Theta Pi’s values.
Core Values
To build lasting bonds of friendship and brotherhood, Beta calls for:
Mutual Assistance
Betas believe that men are mutually obligated to help others in the honorable labors and aspirations of life.
Intellectual Growth
Betas are devoted to continually cultivating their minds, including high standards of academic achievement.
Trust
Betas develop absolute faith and confidence in one another by being true to themselves and others.
Responsible Conduct
Betas choose to act responsibly, weighing the consequences of their actions on themselves and those around them.
Integrity
Betas preserve their character by doing what is morally right and demanding the same from their brothers.
“This Fraternity has come down to us as a precious legacy. We have a distinct and definite obligation to cherish it, to add to it and to transmit it to those who are to follow after us in Beta Theta Pi.” – Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883
Our Strategic Plan
Brotherhood
“Friendship gave our order birth.” Cultivating deep and purposeful relationships is the foundation for a sustainable Beta experience. We will advance a powerful brotherhood at every level of the Fraternity and across all audiences – members and supporters – by:
- Fostering relationships based upon significant and shared social experiences.
- Building local and international trust through open and ongoing communication and responsive service.
- Recruiting and developing our members and volunteers through caring and consistent approaches grounded in our values.
Personal Growth
Beta develops brothers “through the cutting of education and the polishing of experience.” Strengthening and broadening the Fraternity’s capacity to develop and educate leaders, Beta will advance the personal growth of our members and supporters by:
- Promoting shared experiences and traditions that raise each man toward his highest moral, social and intellectual potential.
- Providing resources and education that empower brothers and volunteers to challenge and support each other.
- Walking with members through successes and failures to help them grow in relationships based in love and accountability.
Home
Brotherhood lives “within the halls of Beta Theta Pi.” While those “halls” take many forms, creating a healthy, safe and competitive local environment allows a sustainable Beta experience to thrive. The Fraternity will advance a sense of home for members by:
- Cultivating vibrant cultures for chapters and volunteers grounded in the promotion of brotherhood, personal growth and a deep sense
of belonging. - Aligning physical Beta homes, no matter the form, with best practices, policies and resources.
- Engaging local and interfraternal communities through service and principled action.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Advancing Member Development and Safety
The Fraternity will invest in the personal growth of all members by providing high-quality education on Beta-specific topics, including member safety and risk management, and on topics of general interest such as professional development.
Measuring Success
Safe Membership Experience
Every collegiate chapter will provide a safe and enriching experience for its members.
Goal: 90% of all collegiate chapters are in good standing.
This target recognizes that the Fraternity’s discipline and accountability processes give chapters an opportunity to correct missteps through directives and that some status changes are prompted by campus conduct processes.
Impactful Fraternity Programming
Beta will provide world-class educational programs for collegiate members with a focus on skill development for chapter officers.
Goal: 90% or more of targeted students graduate from their educational program.
Our Accomplishments
- Provided officers and volunteers with three days of intensive leadership and skills development during the first-ever Winter Leadership Conclave.
- Offered specialized training to presidents with a focus on delegation and leading through conflict.
- Trained vice presidents of recruitment during a three-day summer Keystone track.
- Exceeded attendance targets for the Wooden Institute, a summer conference built around Beta’s values and the coaching principles of John Wooden, Purdue ’32.
How You Can Help
- Donate to the Beta Foundation.
Gifts to the Foundation help keep program attendance costs low and expand students access to these Beta experiences. - Encourage collegians to attend one of the award-winning programs.
- Complete the Volunteer Interest Form to become a program facilitator.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Fostering Belonging and Wellness
The Fraternity will support the wellness of its members and create experiences that promote belonging and inclusion at all levels.
Measuring Success
Every Member Feels at Home
Every collegiate chapter will create and sustain a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
Goal: 90% of chapters earn a high score on the “inclusive chapter environment” metric of the annual Beta Brotherhood Assessment.
Every Advisor Feels Welcome
Every advising team will create and sustain a high degree of inclusivity and belonging for its volunteers.
Goal: 90% of advising teams earn a high score on the “inclusive and welcoming team environment” metric of the annual Beta Volunteer Assessment.
Our Accomplishments
- Piloted MANUAL, an online interactive tool for mental health support.
- Included stress management training in the Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy curriculum.
- Trained vice presidents of education during a three-day Keystone track focused on creating a safe and welcoming environment for new members and recent initiates.
How You Can Help
- Develop a strategy to address mental health and wellness for students.
- Beta hopes to become a safer, more supportive place by researching and implementing effective interventions and programs to support struggling members.
- Complete the Volunteer Interest Form to become a mentor or career coach.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Growing Our Brotherhood
The Fraternity will focus on expanding opportunities for men to join through values-based recruitment tactics, retention of collegians through graduation and by starting new chapters on campuses where Beta is strategically aligned.
Measuring Success
Sustainable Collegiate Membership
Beta will start and support chapters at colleges and universities across North America at levels that allow us to deliver world-class programs and services.
Goal: Sustain or exceed total membership size year over year.
Average Chapter Size
The Fraternity will prioritize maintaining a Fraternity-wide average chapter size that allows us to aggressively pursue our goals of enhancing the Beta experience.
Goal: Average chapter size of at least 74 men.
Our Accomplishments
- Re/established chapters at Arizona, Auburn, Hanover, Temple and West Virginia.
- Provided recruitment coaching to campuses facing enrollment challenges and/or low membership.
- Trained vice presidents of recruitment on marketing and implementing values-based screening.
- Taught vice presidents of education to facilitate a new member experience that creates deep, meaningful connections between members and fosters engagement through graduation.
- Established affordability scholarships to help new and existing members remain in their chapter.
How You Can Help
- Complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
A variety of roles are available for current re/establishments at UC Berkeley, Chico State, New Hampshire and Mississippi State. - Energize local alumni.
Having alumni mentors, volunteers and career coaches is one of the biggest success factors for new chapters and member retention.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Engaging Talented Volunteers
The Fraternity will widen the pool of potential volunteers and invest in the training and relationships of our local, district, regional and international volunteers.
Measuring Success
Thriving Advising Teams
Every chapter needs a thriving team of local volunteers to provide coaching, support and year-over-year operational consistency.
Goal: 90% of advising teams will be at or above ideal team size, based on unique chapter and campus needs.
Advising Team Leadership
Every thriving advising team needs a capable leader. Beta will focus on recruiting, training, supporting and retaining chapter counselors.
Goal: 100% of advising teams have an engaged and well-trained chapter counselor.
Our Accomplishments
- Hosted in-person and virtual Advisor Academies, focused training for chapters.
- Hosted bi-annual Leadership Summit —live training for regional/district chiefs.
- Created resources for volunteers to support ritual training for chapters.
- Developed new Volunteer Interest Form and intake process.
- Created short-term, focused and task-oriented micro-volunteer opportunities
How You Can Help
- Complete a Volunteer Interest Form.
- Refer a brother or Friend of Beta volunteer.
- Donate to the Beta Foundation to support advisor training.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Strengthening the Lifelong Beta Experience
The Fraternity will invest in programs and services aimed at engaging collegians and alumni in a lifelong brotherhood experience. Through these efforts, we hope more alumni engage in the Fraternity at all levels, including through volunteerism and financial support.
Measuring Success
| It's a 50/50 chance we can reach you digitally. Only 50% of member email and phone information is correct. |
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88% of members have a valid mailing address. |
Obtain Verified Contact Information
To connect with brothers, we must first be able to contact them. Beta will invest in outreach and systems to capture accurate and timely contact information for all members.
Goal: 80% of all members will have an accurate mailing address, personal email and phone number in our data system.
<2% of our living alumni have served as a volunteer in the last 10 years. |
| <7% of our living alumni have donated to the Beta Foundation in the last 10 years. |
Engagement Through Time and Talent
The Fraternity will actively recruit alumni to serve in volunteer roles and educate them on the importance of giving back to the Beta Foundation.
Goal: 10% of alumni will have donated or volunteered in some capacity in the last decade.
Our Accomplishments
- Hired a full-time staff member focused on alumni engagement and alumni association support.
- Expanded the Beta magazine distribution list to ensure 21,000 additional alumni members regularly receive the award-winning publication.
- Provided outreach and support to new and established alumni associations and affinity groups.
- Trained alumni association leaders at a special educational track at General Convention.
How You Can Help
- Update your contact information via MyBeta or by calling 800.800.BETA.
- Complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
You can volunteer yourself or recommend a brother or Friend of Beta. - Make a gift to help fund leadership programs and affordability scholarships.
- Find local alumni associations via the directory.
Call 800.800.BETA if you are interested in starting an alumni group in your city or town.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Investing in Beta-Centric Spaces
The Fraternity will invest in programs that promote safe homes, positive cultures and shared social experiences.
Project Highlights
University of Iowa
The General Fraternity House Corporation acquired the aging Alpha Beta chapter house, investing nearly $600,000 in capital improvements to the bathrooms, main recreational space and outdoor patio which contributed to improved chapter performance, increased membership size and the chapter’s first Knox Award at the 185th General Convention.
Auburn University
The General Fraternity House Corporation successfully preserved the Beta chapter house, ensuring it remained a home for future Betas. This strategic decision allowed for a seamless return in 2024 with a successful recruitment of 50 men. The chapter house remains a strong foundation for their future growth and stability.
Our Accomplishments
- Granted over $21 million to local house corporations since 2017 for capital improvements and operations through the Beta Foundation Designated Education Area Grant Program.
- Grew the Cornerstone Insurance Program for Beta properties to over $224 million in total insured value.
- Managed the billing and financials for many house corporations, freeing local volunteers to focus on capital improvements, fundraising and alumni engagement.
- Collected assessment data about housing and student satisfaction.
How You Can Help
- House corporations offer short- and long-term volunteer roles. Call 800.800.BETA to learn more.
- The Beta Foundation allows donors to direct funding to their local chapter for infrastructure projects and daily operations. Contact your house corporation board president or call 800.800.BETA for more information.
“This Fraternity has come down to us as a precious legacy. We have a distinct and definite obligation to cherish it, to add to it and to transmit it to those who are to follow after us in Beta Theta Pi.” – Francis W. Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883
Be Part of Our Strategic Vision
When we ask new members why they joined Beta Theta Pi, the top two reasons are:
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Friendship and belonging
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Alumni mentoring and career connections
Young men are looking for coaches, mentors and role models to guide them through the critical years of college and beyond, and the success of Beta’s strategic plan hinges on its members forging deep, authentic friendships that will last a lifetime.
A core tenet of the Men of Principle initiative is “We can’t go it alone.” The Fraternity must cast a wide net of support from alumni, Friends of Beta, campus partners, parents and other community members.
Will you help Beta Theta Pi achieve its mission and vision?
Donate Your Talent
The Fraternity offers opportunities for short- and long-term volunteerism, including in-person and remote work. Learn more and complete the Volunteer Interest Form. Then, a member of the Administrative Office staff will be in touch to discuss your interests, skills and availability.
Learn More
Volunteer Interest Form
Refer a Young Man for Membership
Do you know an outstanding young man going off to college? Make sure he gets connected to the Beta chapter on his campus by completing the Member Referral Form.
Recommend a Beta
Donate to the Beta Foundation
Grants from the Foundation fund collegiate leadership programs and provide affordability scholarships so that a broad mix of students can benefit from the Beta.
Donate
Work for Beta
The Administrative Office staff is a highly respected team of new and seasoned professionals — Betas and Friends of Beta alike — who share a common passion for our Great and Good Fraternity. We are always looking for professionals in human resources, nonprofit financial management, volunteer management, communication and fundraising.
Learn More
