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Colony Education
Beta Theta Pi executes five to six expansions/recolonizations annually. The driving force and key message of each expansion is the Men of Principle initiative. The colonization is led by a three/four person team of professional staff members who will recruit founding fathers for approximately 20 days. Colony eduation consists of a seven-week educational model offset by three weekend retreats. With a dedicated advisory team and the support of the General Fraternity, a strong colony culture can be created that will be successful long term.
Upon accepting a bid, each founding father receives a colony education manual, a Son of the Stars pledge manual, three retreat work booklets, a Beta CD and a song book.
The seven-week educational model is typically conducted on Sunday nights in two-hour meetings. Below is a synopsis of the weekly discussion topics.
Week 1 - Founding Father Education
Week 2 - Cultivation of the Intellect
Week 3 - Leadership Development & Self Governance
Week 4 - Member Education and Commitment to Community
Week 5 - Colony Advisors and Responsible Personal Conduct
Week 6 - Communication and Lifelong Fraternal Brotherhood
Week 7 - Beta Initiation Week
A leadership consultant from the General Fraternity will be on site for the entire duration of the colony education process. A trained five-person advisory team also mentors the colony. At a minimum, the team consists of a chapter counselor, pledge education advisor, risk management advisor, recruitment advisor and financial advisor. Further, the Fraternity looks to place a leadership development advisor, a community service advisor, an alumni-relations advisor and a parents association advisor.
The colony education process is vital to the long-term success of the re-colonization. Beta Theta Pi values this responsibility as a top priority. The recruitment period is not viewed as "hit and run," leaving the founding fathers to educate themselves. Guidance, resources and support back up the colony steering them in the right direction to create a healthy, sustainable culture.
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