My first post here acts as an explanation - why use the chapter motto as the blog's title? It's one of those facts that some pledge education programs include, whereas other programs just expect the savvy pledges to stumble upon it themselves. Name the fraternity's colors. "Delicate shades of pink and blue." What direction does the dragon face? "Westward, always." What is the chapter motto? "Umm..."
I was one of those pledges who only knew what it took to feign being a knowledgeable pledge. I wasn't ashamed of becoming a Beta - just disinterested in the mundane parts of the process. Facts are great, but that's not what I signed up for. I liked the brothers I met in the chapter and their personalities. These were great men who aspired to inspire, who worked hard for the sake of self-edification. I could laugh with them, and I was told that someday I would be comfortable crying with them (I wasn't convinced of that at the time, but I have certainly shown comfort in that realm since then). I drew inspiration and information from the PEOPLE that I was with, not the books that I was given.
The motto was useless to me as a fact in a book, but I soon found out that "the best for us" was exactly what I savored in the fraternity. Those personalities? Those laughing fits? That genuine spirit of friendship? We are deserving of those things. For the many things that collegians dedicate time energy to on campuses (all virtues and vices implied), how many can say that they gave of themselves to create the best group of men or women possible, united by values and purpose? I am proud to say that we do. With all the many things we participate in (sports, partisan groups, service organizations, etc), where do we go to find a constant source of support, enlightenment, and brotherhood? We look to our brothers for these things. We want the best for our band.
It turns out that our chapter motto, much like most other things in Beta, is learned best as a practice, not a fact. Most of us cannot recall the date and site of the first convention in Beta history, but we do remember what it was personally like to attend our first convention. To be swallowed up by hoards of brothers from across cities, states, nations even. To sing songs in conference halls and hear the notes ring clearly from each man's mouth. To feel physically tired from offering the grip to each and every worthy member of the fraternity. That is what we remember. That is the best.
That is the best for us.
_kai_,
Mark
