National Beta Week

The Legend of Beta Week

The Legend of Beta Week

Once upon a time—not so very long ago—in a school much like yours, a group of bright, kind, and hard-working students gathered in a dusty classroom to talk about something big. They were Beta Club members—leaders in their school, helpers in their communities, and dreamers with goals as high as the stars. But something was missing. 

They worked hard all year long—serving, achieving, leading, and showing strong character—but no one ever stopped to say: 

“Hey! Look at what these students are doing! That’s amazing!” 

Well… almost no one. 

Let’s rewind a bit—all the way back to 1973, when a very important man in a very important office took notice of something special. 

That man was President Richard Nixon.
That something special? The National Beta Club. 

President Nixon had seen the impact Beta students were making across the country—volunteering, leading, learning, and growing into the kind of citizens any nation would be proud of. And so, in 1973, he made it official: 

He proclaimed a National Beta Week, giving students a moment to be recognized for their excellence and reminding the nation of the values they stood for:
Achievement, Character, Leadership, and Service. 

That first proclamation lit a spark. Beta Clubs began to celebrate. Teachers proudly displayed Beta banners. Schools paused to recognize the students who worked behind the scenes, who quietly made things better, who didn’t just talk about change—they led it. 

But like any good story, the tradition evolved.
In 2015, the National Beta Office decided to celebrate Beta Week in full force—bigger, bolder, and more fun than ever. It became a nationwide celebration, held the last full week of October, and students from 4th through 12th grade now had five full days to show what Beta really means. 

From 1973 to today, Beta Week has grown from a presidential proclamation to a powerful tradition—one that stretches from small towns to big cities, from elementary schools to high schools, from one generation to the next. 

And now?
It’s your turn.
This Beta Week, you are part of the story.
You’re part of the legacy. Whether it’s your first year or your fifth, your voice matters. Your actions count. 

You are powered by the pillars—and Beta is better because of you. 

The story of Beta Week is still being written…
What will your chapter say? 

National Beta Week Guide

Prior to Beta Week

Proclamation & Press Release

At least 6 weeks prior to Beta Week, contact your Mayor or town officials to recognize National Beta Week and encourage them to sign the Proclamation. Share a press release with local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations.

Added challenge – Contact the Governor’s office and have them recognize National Beta Week on a state level.  Share the signed Proclamation with all available media outlets and celebrate your success.

Beta Spirit Week!

Host a Beta Spirit Week with each day dedicated to celebrating a specific theme. Send home the printable spirit week flyer to share the theme days with families. Tag National Beta on social media and use the hashtag #betaweek26 to be featured each day.
March 9: Betas Achieve – Future You – Dress as what you imagine yourself to be in the future, highlighting an achievement you’re aiming for (doctor, astronaut, artist, etc.).
March 10: Betas Care – Colors of Kindness – Wear bright and positive colors that bring energy and motivation to everyone around you.
March 11: Betas Lead – Dress as your favorite school leader (i.e. Sponsor, Principal, Coach, Librarian).
March 12: Betas Serve – Service Superheroes – Dress as a superhero (real or fictional) who embodies service to others, like Superman, Wonder Woman, or even someone from history who was a champion of helping others.
March 13: Beta Friday – Wear your Beta Week t-shirt or black and gold to celebrate the spirit of Beta.

Get Local Businesses Involved

Have members reach out to local businesses to participate in a “Show Us Your Membership Card” program. This program empowers Beta members to connect with local businesses, seeking special discounts during Beta Week by presenting their Beta Club membership card. This initiative not only fosters community engagement and support but also provides students with the opportunity to practice leadership and communication skills. By partnering with local businesses, Beta members can enjoy exclusive benefits while highlighting the club’s positive presence and influence within the community.

March 9: Betas Achieve

Pillar Focus: Achievement 
Lesson Objective: Students will understand the importance of setting goals and celebrating progress. 

Discussion Questions: 

• What does “achievement” mean to you? 
• Can you achieve something even if you don’t get it perfect the first time? 
• What are small things we can achieve every day? 

Activity – “Beta Goal Getters” 

1. Have each student write one SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) on a sticky note, index card, or the provided goal cutouts. 
2. They decorate their card and post it on the class’s “Mission Board.” 
3. Revisit these goals on Friday to reflect and celebrate progress. 

Optional Extension: Let older students set short-term academic or personal growth goals, and pair with younger Beta Buddies to share them. 

March 10: Betas Care

Pillar Focus: Character 
Lesson Objective: Students will identify and practice acts of kindness that build strong character. 

Discussion Questions: 

• Why is kindness a sign of strong character? 
• Can one small act of kindness make a big difference? 
• How do you feel when someone does something kind for you? 

Activity – “Kindness Chain Reaction” 

1. Provide strips of colored paper.
2. Each time a student sees or does a kind act, they write it on a strip and add it to the class’s paper chain. 
3. Watch it grow during the week as kindness spreads throughout the school!

Optional Extension: Write anonymous thank-you notes to school staff or other students. 

March 11: Betas Lead

Pillar Focus: Leadership 
Lesson Objective: Students will explore what it means to be a leader and identify ways they can lead right now. 

Discussion Questions: 

• What makes someone a good leader? 
• Is leadership only for people in charge? Why or why not? 
• What’s one way you can lead by example this week? 

Activity – “Leadership Starts with Me” 

1. Give students the printable worksheet provided with the sentence starter: 
   “A leader is someone who…” 
2. Have them complete the sentence and draw or describe a leader they admire. 
3. In pairs or small groups, share ideas and discuss how they can lead today—in their school, home, or community. 

Optional Extension: Older students create a mini leadership workshop for younger grades.

March 12: Betas Serve

Pillar Focus: Service 
Lesson Objective: Students will identify and carry out meaningful service acts that cost nothing but kindness and time. 

Discussion Questions: 

• What does it mean to serve others? 
• How does helping others help us too? 
• Why is service a key part of Beta? 

Activity – “No-Spend Service Challenge” 

1. Brainstorm a class list of service ideas that cost no money. Examples: holding the door, picking up trash, complimenting someone, helping a sibling.
2. Challenge each student to complete 3 acts by the end of the day and write them on a shared poster or Google Doc titled “Our Beta Hearts in Action.” 

Optional Extension: Use the provided service “bingo cards” to complete during the day/week. 

March 13: Pillars Unite

Pillar Focus: All Four Pillars 
Lesson Objective: Students will reflect on the week and recognize how the four Beta pillars guide their actions. 

Discussion Questions: 

• Which of the four pillars did you connect with most this week? 
• How can you keep living out these pillars beyond Beta Week? 
• What Beta moment made you feel proud? 

Activity – “Pillar Shout-Out Celebration” 

1. Create four stations or posters labeled: Achievement, Character, Leadership, Service. 
2. Students rotate around and write or draw a moment this week when they demonstrated that pillar. 
3. End with a mini celebration—cheer, pass out pillar-themed certificates, or take a group photo showing off Beta pride! 

Optional Extension: Host a “Beta Roundtable” where students share their favorite moment from the week. 

Sponsor Idea:

Print and distribute Pillar Certificates to recognize students who go above and beyond. Use our parent letter template to share how students celebrated Beta Week and continue to achieve throughout the year.