Secrecy Article

[Oldest_Pledge]

Interesting article on secrecy in the latest issue of Bete Theta Pi magazine.

What are your views on the subject.

I, for one, would not publish the Key Three. But I could see the rest in the being published. Not that I agree they should be in order for our fraternity to move forward or change. But I could accept the decision of a Convention vote to do so.

[furmanbeta]

Um, no. I was shocked to read that article and more than surprised to learn that this was even considered. Advertise your secrets to the world? Are you f-ing kidding me?

Yes, I realize that we've got an open constitution, but there's got to be some sort of secrecy involved. Think back through the ritual and you will see that this is a completely unacceptable idea.

[sdbeta1]

I would also agree that the secrets should be kept secret. Isn't it our ritual that ties us together throughout the nation? It should not be made public under any circumstances. It will mark the demise of the fraternity.

[Oldest_Pledge]

Originally Posted by furmanbeta

Um, no. I was shocked to read that article and more than surprised to learn that this was even considered. Advertise your secrets to the world? Are you f-ing kidding me?

Yes, I realize that we've got an open constitution, but there's got to be some sort of secrecy involved. Think back through the ritual and you will see that this is a completely unacceptable idea.

Originally Posted by sdbeta1

I would also agree that the secrets should be kept secret. Isn't it our ritual that ties us together throughout the nation? It should not be made public under any circumstances. It will mark the demise of the fraternity.

I agree with both ouf you. But since I am not allowed to vote a the Convention (the only place this issue should be decided, either that or "one man" "one vote" for every Beta Active or Alum).

However, for the sake of discussion, detail your reasoning why this would be the death peal for our Fraternity and support and defend your position why that which is now secret should not be made public.

I will give my "other side" view (taking it for the sake of an open discussion). I will use the example of the Masonic Lodge. The Lodge is still considered to have secrets (grips, words, oaths, obligations, penalties etc). Yet, one can go to many book stores and purchase two books that completely give away the entire ritual, grips, words, oaths, obligations, penalties etc.

Many members have joined knowing the answers where out there yet did not go the store and get them.

I think after the initial "shock and awe" wears off, we will be back to a group of pledges that do not take the time to go get the book and still come into the Beta with no knowledge.

An interesting sidebar to this is what would our Brotherhood be like if the pledges knew more of what Beta was about before they pledged. Members that chose to come to Beta BECAUSE of what they knew, not what they were seeking.

Again, I do not support the idea of giving away our secrets. I will abide by rules of the Brotherhood and support the decision of the Convention of the proper powers that determine what gets published.

Also, for the sake of an open discussion, I have opted to post an alternative viewpoint opposite of what I believe.

I hope more Brothers post here in a calm and thoughtful manner.

[ECUJacob]

If you/we/Beta can't show people what we're about without showing them a few key sentences, then we aren't doing our job. Our actions and words should be clear examples of what our goals and aims are. Therefore, I would think that our most important pieces of information (the 3) should be kept secret.

Just my $.02

[ZZ-kai-]

I read it and was a bit irritated by it, but I think the article was written to spark discussion among our Domain. Just wait til the next issue and read all the 'Letters to the Editor' that are sent in.

If we were to ever, EVER, publish the 7 and the 3 solely to 'show the rest of society that we're not evil', I'll be truly disappointed. I don't think it'll happen though....

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by Oldest_Pledge

An interesting sidebar to this is what would our Brotherhood be like if the pledges knew more of what Beta was about before they pledged. Members that chose to come to Beta BECAUSE of what they knew, not what they were seeking.

Sorry, but that reflects a complete lack of understanding of what Beta, or any fraternity is all about.

You come to it because you are seeking something and you find a common bond during rush with a given chapter which also sees promise in you.

It is about far more than words- and anyone who ever told me they wanted to be a Beta because they liked our secrets is someone I would never want as a brother.

In the hands of someone shopping for a fraternity- our secrets have little meaning beyond some superficial interpretation that anyone could bring to them to suit their own purpose.

To a brother who has successfully earned his place, those secrets mean everything.

And so why divulge them?

Just check out the Alumnae Initiation board on this site and look at all the women who say they want to be in X sorority as alumnae initiates because they like the motto or the national charity involved even though they know nothing of the GLO they want to join- and see the reaction they get from legitimate initiated sisters who joined and earned their place as undergrads via the manner which is traditional for good reason.

Edit- checking the thread again today I see this looks like I am attacking you Oldest_Pledge. Apologies- that was not the case. I know you share my desire to keep ritual private, and I was just reacting to this concept you posted from the opposing viewpoint.

[Coramoor]

Worst. Idea. Ever.

And another reason that the General Fraternity needs a house cleaning. The incestuous relationships up there on their hill are sickening.

Again, I have been saying it for YEARS, but this is just another example that the dorks up on the hill want to turn this Great Fraternity into an academic honor society!

[ECUJacob]

Coramoor, I can't quite figure out why you've become so bitter at the GF that you'd automatically discount anyone who works there and/or their opinion. Have you forgotten that most of the GF "employees" are former Beta undergraduates? Although I disagree with our secrets being made public, I don't think it mature to label people as "incestuous" or "dorks". Lest we forget that the GF can't do anything permanent without the approval of our voting delegates at each Convention. So, in the end, the decisions are up to them.

[EE-BO]

I read the article online when I first saw this post, and got my magazine today which gave me a chance to sit down and read the article through a couple of times and give it more thought.

What strikes me most immediately about this article is that its quality, logic and presentation is not up to the level of the fundamental change it purports to discuss.

Quite simply, while it reads nicely and has lots of historical references- it is certainly not prepared and presented at a level appropriate to the sort of major philosophical change it seeks to promote.

That means one of two things in my book. And this is conjecture to some degree- but if someone comes at me with a big idea I expect a presentation to match!

1- It could indicate there has not been a proper consideration of the implications of what is being proposed. I do not think that is the case here.

2- It could mean that the author has a purpose in mind which he is reluctant to state openly since he is aware of the reaction it would provoke.

I think #2 applies here.

The most troubling part of this article to me, and the one that gives away the real intent in my view (meaning- Coramoor, you are on a good track), is the section on page 18- last 2 paragraphs.

I have received numerous reports from active Betas about going to GF for various trainings and seminars and being "lectured at" by non-Betas who run the events.

These guys are amazed at that.

It is partly the lecturing aspect on "how we should be", but the big question all of them are asking is, "Why does General Fraternity feel the need to have a non-Beta help me be a better Beta?"

The guys will go on to say the program they attended was a great and worthwhile event that had meaning. And eyes light up when they talk about visiting various rooms at our GF which are reserved for brothers only.

The real love and inspiration they bring home seems to be what they learn about Beta from Betas- NOT the lectures they are getting from non-Betas.

The penultimate sentence of the penultimate paragraph on page 18 of our magazine makes an astonishing claim as follows, "This relatively new addition to the Beta family [Friends of Beta] has helped many chapters reach new heights..."

Forget all the references to history and general and repetitive commentary- how about some solid support for that pretty strong statement? That is a very major assumption, and one in which I place no value whatsoever based on personal experience as an active AND an involved alumnus.

The value of outside input in some forms is quite obvious. If someone of another GLO were to post here asking how to do a fundraising for a new house- I think I and many other Betas could offer a world of advice.

But that is guidance on the conduct of business affairs common to all GLOs.

It concerns me greatly to see a proposal to move in the direction of divulging all our secrets in an attempt to get non-Betas to help us be better Betas.

Let's face it, a lot of fraternal ritual is already in the public domain. That book "Pledged" decided to take a swipe at sororities by publishing many sorority secrets.

But reading that one comes to realize that each of our secrets and principles are very much similarly aligned in nature and intent. How could they not be? After all, we all seek to provide the same thing to college students looking for something more in their college days and lives after.

So the words being revealed is not the real point here. The real point is having something that one must attain- and the power such things have. The words themselves are only meaningful to the extent of the reader. It is the experience that matters- and this article seeks to take away that experience.

This article is focusing on the mechanics of our secrets- on the mundane reality of words and principles and how they are spoken about.

This article laments, by strong implication, that guys cannot recite back certain parts of our own obligations or other texts along the same lines.

Never mind if a Beta lives a good life and is a good brother to his chapter even if he remembers nothing of the specific words he once spoke.

It is the same sort of fundamentalism that has plagued religion for centuries. If one takes the Bible literally and then memorizes it, one has merely memorized a text- and will then apply it within the confines of his own prejudices and personal beliefs, never once truly thinking about it or allowing its subtle awe to subconciously have a lifetime's impact. Self-righteousness and judgment take precedence over brotherhood and inspiration in this line of thinking.

As a damn fine brother of this fraternity put it to me recently, "If we need non-Betas to inspire and instruct active members when they go to General Fraternity, something is seriously wrong with us and how we are passing on our own legacy!"

For all the quotes and history in that article, I have one quote in response- and one that no Beta ever forgets. One quote that sums it up perfectly and gets beyond these mundane matters of memorizing words and babysitting the very young men we have chosen to carry on our legacy supposedly on the basis that we trust them,

"THE FIRST MARK OF A BETA SHALL BE HIS BETA SPIRIT"

Try putting that in a training manual for a "Friend of Beta" to explain to a room full of new initiates.

[Oldest_Pledge]

Finally, a response of the type that needs to be posted. Unfortunately, I am not as eloquent.

It will be interesting to see what the future brings to our Brotherhood.

[EE-BO]

Thanks man.

I wasn't feeling too eloquent when I wrote it. This just really disturbs me.

If time permits, I plan to condense and refine the above post into a letter I will send in and we'll see if it gets published.

Every time I really get to know someone from General Fraternity, I find a brother who I can really respect and has good ideas. I have yet to run into the sort of person who seems to be actively promoting what many of us are worried about.

So maybe it is a communication thing? I just don't know. But something is not making sense here.

[Coramoor]

The guys I have met in person from the GF all seem like good guys also...however never judge a person by their words, always judge by their actions.

In my observation of their actions many are NOT good brothers.

I know that I come across as having a very negative opinion of the GF. I can assure you that my opinion is founded based on my many experiences working with people there. Not everyone mind you, but I do not want to get into naming people on an internet message board.

[EE-BO]

Interesting side note, I heard this weekend from another GLO member that the same discussion is happening over there too.

So this is something to watch closely. Might not just be a Beta thing but part of a general movement among many GLOs. So, it could be indicative of something that many GLO leaderships are considering.

If that is the case, then I would be a bit more open-minded to hearing the reasons why- assuming someone wants to state them clearly and then back them up with supported evidence for the conclusions.

[ZZ-kai-]

I don't think it'll ever happen. If it's the talk-of-the-town among greeks, I assure you it'll pan out like 'dry housing'. Phi Delt and FIJI will go first, nobody else will follow - three years from now, it's no big deal.