What Defines a Beta

Our Three Pillars

Wisdom · Honor · Courage

"In order to become a true brother, each man must gain an understanding of the characteristics that bond the brotherhood and set them apart from ordinary men."

The brothers of Beta Tau Omega are bound by three pillars that define who we are. These are not just ideals — they are the characteristics that every brother strives to embody every day.

Wisdom

Bearing

  • Setting and maintaining high standards of appearance
  • Avoid using excess profanity
  • Control your gesture and voice, except under certain conditions

Decisiveness

  • Looking at your alternatives and firmly choosing the best course of action
  • Picking alternatives and making decisions quickly when there is a limited amount of time

Judgment

  • Closely considering a range of alternatives before acting
  • Thinking about the possible consequences before performing any actions

Justice

  • Being fair and consistent when punishing or rewarding
  • Listening to all sides of an issue before passing judgment

Knowledge

  • Making sound judgment
  • Doing one's duties well
  • Knowing your job as well as possible

Tact

  • Treating and speaking to people in the same manner of respect that one would expect for oneself
  • Presenting yourself in a proper manner to others

Honor

Dependability

  • Being on time when told to be there or when agreed
  • Doing those tasks that have been assigned to you in a complete and timely manner

Humility

  • Ensuring that the correct people receive the credit due to them
  • Stressing the importance of individual participation in a group
  • Always thinking as a part of a team
  • Never achieving personal gains that hurt the group, unless morally and ethically justified

Loyalty

  • Defending one's brother against unfair treatment from outside
  • Giving your heart and best to the fraternity

Selflessness

  • Ensuring that the needs of one's brother are met before attending to one's own needs
  • Sharing danger, hardship, and discomfort with your brothers to achieve the goal

Integrity

  • Loyalty to the truth under all circumstances
  • Taking responsibility for one's own actions

Courage

Valiancy

  • Acting calmly and firmly in stressful situations
  • Standing up for what is right, regardless of what others think
  • Accepting personal responsibility for your own mistakes without blaming others
  • Working toward your goal, even in the face of major obstacles

Endurance

  • Maintaining the mental and physical stamina to perform duties under stressful conditions
  • Persevering for extended periods of time

Enthusiasm

  • Consistently communicating a positive attitude to others
  • Never complaining or whining
  • Always looking at the positive side
  • Encouraging others to take the initiative

Humor

  • Joking when the going gets tough to bring up others' morale
  • Having fun doing one's job

Initiative

  • Taking charge in a situation where something needs to be done, even in the absence of directions
  • Looking for new and better ways to do things
  • Planning ahead
BTO Crest

"Brothers from Beginning to End"

Once a brother, always a brother. Your brothers become your arms, your legs, your eyes and your ears. Brotherhood lasts from beginning to end.