Men of Principle Initiative
Men of Principle
"The man of principle and integrity who has developed character and self-discipline is the man that humanity must always turn to for its salvation."
-- Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence '22
The Men of Principle initiative was established to further align Beta Theta Pi with its time-proven principles and obligations. In Febraury 1997, the Board of Trustees appointed the Strategic Vision Steering Committee, 25 men and women, including collegians, to study the issues in the Greek community and chart a course for the future.
After 10 months of intense work by the dedicated committee members, the Men of Principle initiative was born. Guided by the Fraternity's principles and obligations, the committee developed a mission and vision, focusing collegians and alumni on Beta's original purpose. The committee also identified nine goals which serve as guideposts for chapter programming. These collectively emerged as the Men of Principle initiative.
What is It?
A Higher Commitment: The Men of Principle initiative is a commitment to the vision of our founders. A chapter that chooses to partner is making a public statement to pursue the Mission, Vision and Goals of The Initiative. Further, these chapters have committed to positive pledge education, alcohol-free recruitment and the promotion of the principles and obligations contained in the Ritual of Beta Theta Pi. It is a commitment to being who we say we are.
A Partnership: The Men of Principle initiative is an equal partnership between the undergraduate chapter, advisory team and the Fraternity's staff/volunteer leadership. This partnership is grounded in self-governance and the principles of Beta Theta Pi to ensure long-term chapter success. From the outset, the Fraternity determined that the Initiative would never be used as a punitive measure. The Men of Principle initiative is not mandatory for chapters; chapters choose to partner. At least 80 percent of a chapter's membership must agree to partner, along with 100 percent of the chapter's five-person advisory team. In other words, people support what they help create.
An Influx of Resources: Adding form to the Mission, Vision and Goals of the Men of Principle initiative is an ever-evolving group of supporting programs within the Fraternity. These programs assist the chapter in living the Mission and seeking the Vision. The Fraternity works tirelessly to ensure that there is no division among its chapters. All chapters have access to the supporting programs. Partnered chapters are simply indicating an interest in increasing their support and involvement.
A Framework For Success: Men of Principle is not a cookie-cutter approach; it is not a manual to follow. It is a framework that facilitates complete ownership of the Mission, Vision and Goals. In essence, the higher commitment, partnership and supporting programs create a framework for success year after year.
-- Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence '22
The Men of Principle initiative was established to further align Beta Theta Pi with its time-proven principles and obligations. In Febraury 1997, the Board of Trustees appointed the Strategic Vision Steering Committee, 25 men and women, including collegians, to study the issues in the Greek community and chart a course for the future.
After 10 months of intense work by the dedicated committee members, the Men of Principle initiative was born. Guided by the Fraternity's principles and obligations, the committee developed a mission and vision, focusing collegians and alumni on Beta's original purpose. The committee also identified nine goals which serve as guideposts for chapter programming. These collectively emerged as the Men of Principle initiative.
What is It?
A Higher Commitment: The Men of Principle initiative is a commitment to the vision of our founders. A chapter that chooses to partner is making a public statement to pursue the Mission, Vision and Goals of The Initiative. Further, these chapters have committed to positive pledge education, alcohol-free recruitment and the promotion of the principles and obligations contained in the Ritual of Beta Theta Pi. It is a commitment to being who we say we are.
A Partnership: The Men of Principle initiative is an equal partnership between the undergraduate chapter, advisory team and the Fraternity's staff/volunteer leadership. This partnership is grounded in self-governance and the principles of Beta Theta Pi to ensure long-term chapter success. From the outset, the Fraternity determined that the Initiative would never be used as a punitive measure. The Men of Principle initiative is not mandatory for chapters; chapters choose to partner. At least 80 percent of a chapter's membership must agree to partner, along with 100 percent of the chapter's five-person advisory team. In other words, people support what they help create.
An Influx of Resources: Adding form to the Mission, Vision and Goals of the Men of Principle initiative is an ever-evolving group of supporting programs within the Fraternity. These programs assist the chapter in living the Mission and seeking the Vision. The Fraternity works tirelessly to ensure that there is no division among its chapters. All chapters have access to the supporting programs. Partnered chapters are simply indicating an interest in increasing their support and involvement.
A Framework For Success: Men of Principle is not a cookie-cutter approach; it is not a manual to follow. It is a framework that facilitates complete ownership of the Mission, Vision and Goals. In essence, the higher commitment, partnership and supporting programs create a framework for success year after year.
