Article II – Membership
Section 1. Club Charter Eligibility
Subsection A – Public & Non-public Traditional Schools*
Any public elementary or secondary school which includes any of the grades 4-12 shall be eligible to apply for a charter as a chapter of the National Junior Beta Club, grades 4-8, or the National Senior Beta Club, grades 9-12. Non-public schools are also eligible to apply for a charter provided that the school or schools are accredited through one of the accrediting agencies approved by the National Beta Club Office. The membership of National Beta Club shall be comprised of clubs of those students who qualify for membership according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Beta Club. A minimum of five members is required to charter a club. There are no restrictions on the maximum number of members per club. Membership is not limited to any certain percentage of the students in the various classes.
*Traditional schools are defined as accredited schools housed in a specific building or set of buildings in which students are enrolled and physically present for a defined full-time school day. They do include homeschools or cooperative groups of home-school students.
Subsection B – Public & Non-public Virtual Schools*
Any public virtual elementary or secondary school which includes any of the grades 4-12 shall be eligible to apply for a charter as a chapter of the National Junior Beta Club, grades 4-8 or the National Senior Beta Club, grades 9-12. Non-public online virtual schools are also eligible to apply for a charter provided that the school or schools are accredited through on of the accrediting agencies approved by the National Beta Club Office. In order to be awarded a charter, a virtual school must provide acceptable evidence that it uses effective criteria for identifying exemplary student achievement and high moral character of students applying for club membership. The membership of National Beta shall be comprised of clubs of those students who qualify for membership according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Beta Club. A minimum of five members is required to charter a club. There are no restrictions on the maximum number of members per club. Membership is not limited to any certain percentage of the students in the various classes.
*Virtual schools are defined as accredited online schools in which students are enrolled and receive full-time instructional services.
Any homeschool cooperative, group or association which includes any grades 4-12 shall be eligible to apply for a charter as a chapter of the National Junior Beta Club, grades 4-8 or the National Senior Beta Club, grades 9-12. Students must be working on or above grade level , show exemplary academic achievement and high moral character for membership consideration. The membership of National Beta Club shall be comprised of clubs of those students who qualify for membership according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Beta Club. A minimum of five members is required to charter a club.
Homeschool students not associated with a cooperative or group will charter under the organization of their respective state name. Homeschool students follow guidelines of membership qualifications as stated in membership Section 2. Homeschool student standards are maintained by the respective sponsor. There are no restrictions on the maximum number of members per club. Membership is not limited to any certain percentage of the students in the various classes.
Section 2. Student Membership Qualifications
Requirements of student membership are solely qualitative within the scope and regulations specified in these Bylaws. A student must be a member in good standing of a Beta Club at his/her current school of attendance to be considered an active National Beta Club member. Only active members may participate in state and national competitions and become candidates for and hold state and national office. Membership is a privilege and not a right. The qualifications for membership on the part of the student shall be: (a) worthy, moral and ethical character; (b) exemplary achievement, and commendable attitude. The standards and means for appraising these qualities shall be determined by the administration of the school where the chapter is located. Since the purpose of the organization is to select, honor, and encourage students possessing these characteristics, it shall be within the province of the administration of each school to set up such local standards of membership as shall best serve to bring together in the chapter students who merit distinction because of these qualifications. All students must be performing at or above grade level in order to be eligible for membership. Local school administrations are at liberty to limit membership to certain grades. Specific academic requirements for membership are not established at the national level, as local systems of grading and merit determination vary. Each local school and club shall establish such academic requirements for membership that will insure the selection of students of exemplary qualifications. At no time shall membership in the National Beta Club make it incumbent upon a member to alter his/her religious or political ideas or affiliations.
Section 3. Selection
The method of selecting eligible students for membership shall be determined by the administrative head (principal/administrator) of the school. The administrator shall select students according to standards established for that particular school. Invitations for membership will be provided to all students meeting those standards.
Section 4. Membership Fees
Subsection A – National Fees
There are no charter charges to establish a chapter of the National Beta Club. The per student membership fee into the Elementary Beta Club is sixteen dollars for entry into Division I (Grades 4-5) and twenty-four dollars into the Junior Beta Club (Grades 6-8). The per student membership fee into the Senior Beta Club (Grades 9-12) is thirty-two dollars. There will be no refund of membership fees after the student is certified for membership. The membership fee is payable by each student regardless of the date of affiliation with the organization.
Subsection B – Local Fees
Additional assessments may be made by local clubs for purposes of carrying on their work locally. The cost of membership in the club should be kept at an absolute minimum, so that no worthy student is unable to become a member for financial reasons.
Subsection C – Convention Fees
The National Board of Directors may establish registration fees for attending the National Convention. Each State Council, in conjunction with the National Executive Director, will establish a state registration fee for attending the state convention.
Section 5. Induction
Each local club shall conduct a dignified service for the induction of new members into the organization.
Section 6. Pledge
After a student has been nominated and duly elected to membership, and after his/her certificate has been received from the Executive Director, he/she shall subscribe to a pledge that shall be provided for in the policies enacted by the National Board of Directors before he/she can be considered a member of the National Beta Club.
Section 7. Certificate of Membership
Certificates of membership in the National Beta Club are issued only upon the recommendation of the executive head of the school. No student may become a member of the club unless approved by the head of the school. In all cases an application for membership must be signed by the superintendent or principal of the school in which the prospective member is enrolled as a student.
Section 8. Disqualification and Reinstatement
Since the National Beta Club is a merit organization, members who fail to maintain an exemplary record, or who engage in personal conduct unbecoming members of the Beta Club, may be disqualified from membership pursuant to policies developed by the National Board of Directors.
Section 9. Beta Club Alumni
Upon graduation, all alumni may remain affiliated with the National Beta Club. Alumni shall have access to the alumni website and shall be entitled to attend conferences, upon payment of conference registration fees.