National Beta Club Information 

The National Beta Club began as the dream of our founder, Dr. John W. Harris, a professor at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. Since the first Beta Club was formed in Landrum, SC in 1934, The National Beta Club has become the nation's largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. We are committed to recognizing and promoting high academic achievement, encouraging service to others, and developing character and leadership skills. Since its beginnings, The National Beta Club has worked with over five and a half million young people in grades 5-9 (Junior Beta Club) and grades 9-12 (Senior Beta Club). There are now more than 418,000 active members and more than 8,000 clubs in 42 states, District of Columbia, 3 U.S. territories and 4 foreign countries.

 

Being a student-centered organization, The National Beta Club continually seeks ways to develop and nurture elementary and secondary school students by providing opportunities and experiences that enable them to demonstrate the ideals of character, achievement, service and leadership. Some of the many benefits we offer our members include:

 

• Official membership credentials including Beta pins, certificates and membership cards

• Access to BetaWeb, a student-centered website

• Awarding of over $250,000 in scholarships each year to outstanding National Beta Club members in their senior year

• An opportunity to exercise their many talents and abilities, as well as interact socially with others at State and National Conventions

• An extraordinary experience for leadership training, goal-setting, and self-esteem building activities at The Broyhill Leadership Conference held every summer

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Membership

• Earn an unweighted GPA of 3.4 or higher on their scholastic record at SEarCH

• Earn no more than 2 B's with no C's per reporting period

• Exhibit worthy character, good mentality, credible achievement, and a commendable attitude

• Have been approved for membership by the executive head of the Scotland Early College High School

Loss of Membership

• Absent without justifiable reason and/or failing to complete quizzes from 3 consecutive meetings

• GPA falls below 3.4 ​​

  • More than 2 B's and/or earns a C for any reporting period

  • *HOWEVER: No member may be dropped from membership for scholastic deficiency without being accorded to a probationary period of one semester to raise his scholastic record above the minimum requirements for membership*

• Fails to complete 20 volunteer hours each semester

  • Turn in Canvas​

• Probationary periods regarding scholastic deficiency and lack of volunteer hours, there will be 2 levels

  • Level One​

    • Failed to submit volunteer hours

    • Has an unweighted GPA lower than 3.4​

    • More than 2 B's or a C

    • Has one semester to rectify the membership renewal concern

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The Beta Creed

As a member of the Beta Club and as a citizen of my community, state, and nation I believe in and shall strive to promote the principles of:

Honesty:

knowing that honesty is necessary to the formation of good character, and that the principles of honesty dictate that I not only refrain from acts of dishonesty; but that I perform my duties fully and take advantage of the opportunities afforded me by my circumstances;

Justice:

believing that it is only right and proper that I should be just and fair in my dealings with my fellowman; that I should condemn no one without giving him a chance to defend himself; and that I should consider all factors before forming an opinion of another's motives, or before passing judgment upon his actions;

Service:

being convinced that the rendering of helpful service to my fellowman is a duty and privilege conferred upon me by my forbears and by my environment, and that I can attain lasting satisfaction only by rendering such service to the best of my ability;

Cooperation:

knowing that I must work closely and in a friendly manner with others in this day of highly organized social and economic endeavor; and that I must respect authority and strive at all times to be dependable-if I am to be of greatest helpfulness to society;

Responsibility:

believing that full happiness is possible only through full acceptance of responsibility for my actions and for preserving and passing my rich inheritance on to coming generations;

Industriousness:

being aware of the of the fact that-if I am to be a factor for progress in my community and a real help to my associates-my mind must be alert to understand and my hands ready to perform promptly and fully the tasks that come my way;

Humility:

being convinced that humbleness of spirit is the only proper attitude for me to maintain in my relation with my associates, and that such spirit and attitude will make for my own peace of mind and for the well-being of those with whom I come in contact;

Charity:

knowing that if I am- tolerant in my appraisal of the ideas of others; generous in the use of my worldly assets; considerate of the rights of others; courteous in my actions toward all alike; gentle in my efforts to correct errors in others; kind in the exercise of my duties- I shall then be better able to contribute to the happiness of myself and others.