1. BETA CLUB 2014-2015

2. WHAT IS BETA? Beta is an academic, leadership and service organization. The St. Martha Chapter of the National Junior Beta Club is open to students in grades 5 th – 8 th.

3. CHANGES TO BETA Effective July 1, 2014, there will be changes in membership divisions for the National Beta Club. National Junior Beta will now be separated into two divisions: Elementary Division 1, grades 4- 5 and Junior Division 2, grades 6-8. National Senior Beta will now encompass grades 9-12. (Note: All 9th grade members must be in a Senior Beta Chapter.) Members will pay $15 per division: Elementary Division 1, Junior Division 2, and Senior Beta.

4. WHY BETA DIVISIONS? National Beta is taking this action to better foster academic excellence for its members and to adapt to the curriculum needs of individual grade levels. The newly defined divisions will allow Beta members the opportunity to compete against members of similar academic levels (per division) at Beta Conventions.

5. OFFICER ELECTIONS New BETA Officers are elected each year. Students that wish to run for office may campaign the week before elections take place with campaign signs and speeches.  Elections take place the week of September 15.

6. INDUCTION This is a ceremony to induct new members into the BETA Club. Out-going Officers invite the newly elected Officers to take their place in office. We begin with the installments and proceed to dinner. Dinner Cost TBA.

7. MIDDLE SCHOOL BETA SERVICE HOURS BETA members in middle school that plan on attending the convention must earn a minimum of 24 service hours; 4 Parish hours, 4 Community hours, 4 School hours, plus 12 hours earned anywhere. Chaperone Parents must earn a minimum 12 hours. Examples of ways to earn service hours:  Family Fun Night  Souper Bowl of Caring  Parish Festival  Rosary Guild  Helping Teachers Before or After School

8. 5 TH GRADE BETA SERVICE HOURS BETA members in 5 th Grade are not allowed to attend the convention. They must earn a minimum of 12 service hours; 4 Parish hours, 4 Community hours, 4 School hours. Examples of ways to to earn service hours:  Family Fun Night  Souper Bowl of Caring  Parish Festival  Rosary Guild  Helping Teachers Before or After School

9. BETA SERVICE PROJECTS BETA members in 5 th Grade must attend at least 1 of the following Service Projects. Middle school members that plan on attending the convention must attend a minimum of 2 Service Projects.  Life Chain  Habitat for Humanity  Secret Santa  Wreaths Across America  Eden Terrace

10. FUNDRAISERS In order to help keep convention costs low, we will participate in various fundraisers. You may choose which fundraiser to participate in or may participate in all of them.  Pizza Cards -$5 each – First $10 goes to BETA Club, rest toward student’s convention costs.  Secret Santa Workshop (All proceeds go to Club)  Tickets for Parish Festival (A portion goes to Club)  Wreaths Across America -$15 each - $5 goes to BETA Club

11. BETA SOCIALS In order to build community within BETA Club, we host three social events a year.  Fall Social –Main Event -11/7 @ 5 p.m.-7 p.m.  Winter Social –TBA -1/23 @ 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  End of the Year Social –TBA -4/17 @ 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

12. CONVENTION CATEGORIES Banner Black & White Photography Battle of the Books Color Photography Essay Digitally Enhanced Photography Language Arts Oil or Acrylics Living Literature Sculpture Scrapbooking Math Sketching (pen, pencil or ink) Poetry Sketching (pastels or charcoals) Poster Watercolors Quiz Bowl Cross-stitch Science Hand-made Jewelry Social Studies Quilting Speech Recyclable Art Spotlight Your Club Woodworking Tower of Power Special Talent or Group Talent Wreath Technology Students must enter a minimum of two categories to be eligible for convention.