Gamma Beta Chi

ΓΒΧ (Gamma Beta Chi) is a national fraternity in the United States of America. It was established on April 20, 1959 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and is currently headquartered in Arcadia, Florida. The fraternity has severak active chapters, both collegiate and local city.

History

(ΓΒΧ)- Gamma Beta Chi is a non-profit, African American founded, male organization founded November 15 in Broward County, Florida whose history dates back to 1959 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Gamma Beta Chi takes pride in being the first intercollegiate Greek-letter service fraternity established for men of African descent. Our fraternity's lineage began from an idea, which was initiated by five distinguished Gentlemen of Quality. These young visionaries had a desire to strive and instill not only service in the hearts of all collegiate young men, but new collegiate standards, in accordance with our fraternity's purpose: "To be men striving for academic excellence, self-betterment, and unification of our community; Through tireless service we will help to alleviate social and economic hardships as we work to build a stronger, more intelligent, and business-minded brotherhood." The primary focus of Gamma Beta Chi is EDUCATION; however, Gamma Beta Chi has many community service focuses such as Red Cross of America and Habitat for Humanity. Gamma Beta Chi constantly focuses on blood drives, disaster relief, fire loss, and other major areas. Another major community focus is the GAMMA DEBONAIR Mentor Program for high school men where Gamma Beta Chi serves directly as mentors and tutors, targeting our Primary Focus of Education and showing them that positive men do till exist.

National Programs

The Primary Service Focus of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity is EDUCATION. The following are just a few of the resourceful ways in which our fraternity has given back through National projects which reflect just that.

»Panther Workshop - The members of Gamma Beta Chi hosts workshops such as credit investment and tax seminars, were experts are asked to speak on credit, taxes, investments, APR, along with general women's and men's issues.

»Gamma Academy - The Gamma Academy is designed to provide an opportunity for local chapters of Gamma Beta Chi to collaborate with local elementary and junior high schools and work on educational programs for at-risk children between the ages of 10-15 who under-achieve academically. The program's educational enrichment and personal attention shows the children that they do have a bright future. This Program also includes an Annual FCAT Workshop by the National Fraternity.

»Panther Share Project - The PSP is when members of Gamma Beta Chi receive donations from various patrons, churches, clubs and organizations to distribute them in homes and schools where they are most needed.

»Knowledge Scholarship - The knowledge scholarship is a scholarship in honor of our beloved Supreme Primarch, because of his devotion to educating young African-American men about the fraternity's out-look and goals. Recipients include students in any national organization such as: Youth NAACP, National Urban League, YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Club.

»National Library Project - The National Library Project became a way in which local chapters of Gamma Beta Chi could help supplement, and in some cases, create a library for the community.

»Gamma Debonair Program - Big-brother/Little brother mentor program for high school men where members of Gamma Beta Chi serve directly as mentors and tutors, targeting our primary focus of EDUCATION and showing them that positive men do still exist. Gamma Beta Chi proudly recognizes this program as a national program for the fraternity.

»Room of Knowledge - This is a program in which the brothers travel to various schools and community centers during the day, read books to children and display positive educational movies.

»Habitat for Humanity/Red Cross of America - The members of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity are also proud to work with Habitat for Humanity & the Red Cross of America. Other areas in which Gamma Beta Chi has served are the Y.M.C.A. & the N.A.A.C.P.

Anti-Hazing Policy

Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Inc. does not tolerate hazing. Hazing has been prohibited in Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated since the organization’s lineage began in 1959. We firmly believe all current and prospective members have the right to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Inc. seriously enforces the rights of our current and prospective members by punishing any violation of our hazing policies.

Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated reaffirmed its total opposition to hazing with the publication of a tougher anti-hazing policy and the implementation of new procedures to identify, investigate and punish individuals found guilty of these offenses. Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated is one of the first historically black service organizations with such a tough written policy against hazing. Anyone who violates our hazing policy risks suspension or permanent expulsion from the organization.

Hazing Defined:

Hazing is defined as a series of acts that include, but are not limited to:

Physical and mental aggravation or harassment, such as hitting, striking, or threatening to do bodily harm to any individual(s) while acting in one's capacity as a member of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated.

Behavior that is directed toward any individual(s) for the purpose of causing shame, abuse, insult, humiliation, intimidation or disgrace.

A variety of prohibited practices including but not limited to, "underground hazing," "financial hazing," "pre-pledging," "post-pledging," or "post-intimidation."

Consequences of Violating the Anti-Hazing Policy:

Any violation may result in suspension or revocation of chapter and/or individual privileges, and/or permanent expulsion from membership in Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated. Hazing activities may also result in official discipline by a college or university or even the imposition of civil and criminal penalties for individuals and/or chapters of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated.

How We Educate Our Members:

Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated takes great measures to spell out our total opposition to hazing. For example, we:

Distribute brochures that outline our anti-hazing policies through university officials and graduate advisors who, in turn, distribute them to students likely to go through fraternity initiation;

Train chapters on the anti-hazing policies during workshops conducted before each chapter conducts membership intake (rush) sessions. Along with this, our campus and graduate members must make a formal commitment to treat candidates with respect by signing a Commitment Statement that affirms they will not participate in hazing;

Distribute a letter to all rush participants from the National Intake Director of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated that defines hazing and outlines procedures for reporting hazing incidents. The letter is also read aloud in the formal rush as it is enforced to be included in the rush agenda;

Provide all rush participants with a copy of the Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated anti-hazing policy which must be signed and dated by each potential initiate with the chapter’s advisor as a witness.

During the Gamma Beta Chi Membership Intake process:

Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated provides graduate advisors and/or graduate councils/committees to serve as mentors for undergraduate members to ensure the rush and membership intake process is conducted properly - without hazing incidents

By signing the membership interest form, the candidates acknowledge that they have read, understood, agree with and will abide by fraternity policy.

All candidates are required to fill out the "Membership Intake Bond" and “Liability Contract” forms, which state that they agree to follow the fraternity laws and policies on hazing.

PREFACE

The committees of the National Presidential Council of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Inc. are committed to nurturing the ideals of fraternalism in an atmosphere of responsibility and respect. We are also committed to upholding the dignity and self-respect of all persons seeking membership therein. Hazing is antithetical to this commitment and is prohibited by the rules of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Inc. Recently, the Membership Committee of the NPC made the Official Agreement to disband pledging as a form of admission. At the dawn of a new millennium, we the members of the NPC do hereby reaffirm our unequivocal opposition to hazing and those who seek to perpetuate it.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the NPC, operating through chapters located in the United States, are proud of their commitment since 1959 to scholarship, community service, leadership and the promotion of brotherhood in an atmosphere of respect and responsibility; and

WHEREAS the NPC is likewise committed to promoting the self-respect and dignity of all persons seeking membership in the respective organization; and

WHEREAS hazing is antithetical to this commitment and is strictly prohibited by the constitution, policies and procedures of the Grand National Chapter of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Inc.; and

WHEREAS "pledging" has been officially abolished as a process for membership and pledge "lines" have similarly been abolished, and all members and prospective members are prohibited from engaging in hazing, pledge or pre-pledge "lines"; and

WHEREAS each NPC committee is aware of the stern instituted policies against hazing and has taken steps to reinforce and strengthen the fraternity’s stand against prohibited conduct; and

WHEREAS we begin this new century and renewed commitment to the fundamental principles of brotherhood, human dignity and mutual respect, the NPC committees desire to make their commitment against hazing abundantly clear and fully intend for every member, prospective member, parent, university and the general public to be aware of; and

WHEREAS these NPC committees further desire to make known their respective commitment to hold any person who engages in hazing individually and personally liable to the victim and to answer to the law and the organization; and will hold such persons to respond in monetary damages, civil and criminal penalties and severe disciplinary action by the organization, including expulsion; and

WHEREAS the definition of hazing has been held to include any action taken or situation created that involves or results in abusive, physical contact or mutual harassment of a prospective fraternity member; and that any such action is considered hazing, whether it occurs on or off the fraternity premises, campus or place where chapters or prospective members meet; and that hazing has also been described to include any action that results in excessive mutual or physical discomfort, embarrassment or harassment; that such activities include, but are not limited to, paddling, creation of excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shock, morally degrading or humiliating activities, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities and any other activities inconsistent with fraternal law and regulations and policies of the affiliated educational institution and federal, state or local law; and

WHEREAS such illegal conduct is inimical to the principles for which each chapter stands and fails to foster respect for fellow members or preserve human dignity;

BE IT RESOLVED AND RESTATED WITH EMPHASIS that hazing, pledging, pledge "lines", pre- pledge "lines" or post-intake hazing are strictly prohibited by chapters affiliated with Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Inc. ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, RESTATED AND MADE KNOWN that these affiliated chapters are responsible for commitment to eradicate the scourge of hazing.

To that end, the National Intake Process of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated has been revised by the National Intake and Membership Committee, which permits the conduct of intake only when specifically authorized by the officer placed in charge of the process and only at such times, places and in the presence of persons specifically authorized and certified to conduct the intake process; That prospective members and the parents of collegiate applicants are advised that hazing is not a requirement for membership, nor is it tolerated.

The members and prospective members must attest that they are fully aware of the organization's policy against hazing and will not engage in prohibited conduct and that the organization will fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities and with university officials in the investigation and prosecution of hazing or other illegal activity.

The members and applicants for membership are also put on written notice that they will be held responsible for violation of policies against hazing and the organization will pursue full remedies allowed by law to obtain indemnification for damages caused by the actions of the members or applicants who participated in illegal, unauthorized or prohibited conduct despite notice to refrain from such conduct.

The Intake and Membership Committee shall enforce severe penalties, including expulsion, for proven violations of its policies against hazing and impose sanctions against a chapter involved and cooperate with the university in implementing sanctions by the university.

Members and applicants for membership shall be required to immediately notify the national officers of the fraternity, the local chapter advisor, university officials and law enforcement officials of any observed

Hazing incident or improper activity believed to be in violation of the policy against hazing, without fear of reprisal or their application for membership being affected by doing so. However, failure to report known violations may disqualify a candidate for membership and further initiation opportunities in the future.

The National Presidential Council (NPC) of Gamma Beta Chi National Service Fraternity, Incorporated committees shall continue to encourage the fraternity’s perspective chapters and members to participate in activities which promote high scholastic achievement, brotherhood, loyalty and leadership, and shall continue to affirm sound values and the worth of every member working together to accomplish organizational goals and serve the community.