You mean beyond what's covered in ritual(s)? hmmm...I've never even thought to question why our founder chose those specific objects. I guess they could've used something else.

If you want to read some great info. on Beta, and really get some good facts and fun trivia stuff, read the Faithful Home of the Three Stars. It's similar to the Pledge Manual in terms of teaching, but it has 10 times as much info., and most of it is more interesting. Trust me, it's a book that once you get going on it, you can't put it down. If it's not in your Beta library, it's available on the Beta HQ website for $10 I think.

Oh, heavens, yes, there's tons more to know... (hee hee)

Even before initiation, a good pledge should be curious. But one of the things which makes a good brother is staying curious.

For example... Have you read Linton's speech recently? Do you know what it is about? You should. It is about one of the Stars.

Think about it. Do you realize what an awesome thing it is to have such a long document recording exactly what a Founder thought about one of the most important things in the whole fraternity??? It is amazing. Read it.

(Sure - go ahead and read it, even if you are not a Beta - and see what YOU will make of it. Hee hee. It's a great thing to give to pledges as an appetizer.)

But to a Beta... well... read it and you will understand. And wish that we had the part of his speech that was extemporaneous. And feel a glimpse of that real friendship for this guy who had just graduated that morning - a 23-year-old and an alumnus - who was telling his brothers about what really mattered. (Yes, here you can taste a little of old Alpha...) Get another brother to read it too, then go somewhere and talk about it.

And what is even more amazing is that this is fully relevant to the main point of this thread - for the selection of the NAME of the fraternity is far more than the selection of the letters, but the laying of a foundation.