The idea of creating a national convention for Phi Beta Kappa was nothing new to the organization. The Amherst chapter was bringing it up as early as 1858. They suggested “a general convention of the branches of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, for the purpose of forming a more compact organization,” and to request that each branch appoint a delegate” (Current, 1990, p. 88). Francis Philip Nash, a former Latin professor at Hobart College, was the main catalyst for finally creating a national convention, as well as a national council.
Harvard was the first to provide the necessary steps for a convention,
At the 1880 meeting—the Harvard men drafted up a constitutional amendment to define and limit the chartering power—they also appointed a committee “to arrange a convention of all chapters of the Fraternity,” where they could propose the amendment along with other constitutional reforms. (Current, 1990, p. 88)
The Harvard chapter had their hundredth anniversary coming up on June 30th, 1881. This chapter was also the oldest active chapter. These two circumstances gave them the right to host the first convention for the society.
In attendance at this convention were chapters from a dozen institutions including: Amherst, Bowdoin, Brown, CCNY, Dartmouth, Hamilton, Hobart, New York University, Vermont, and of course Harvard, as they were the hosting chapter. This outcome equaled fifty-six delegates. On top of the already assigned agenda of the convention, Professor Nash brought up a new proposition that would change the way the society operated:
Resolved, That this Convention do hereby earnestly recommend to all chapters of Phi Beta Kappa Society to choose delegates to the number of three for each chapter to meet together at…, on the… day of …, 1881, and from day to day thereafter, who when thus assembled shall constitute the National Council of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and shall have power to express the opinion and sentiment of the Society upon all such questions as may from time to time be presented to said Council for consideration. (Current, 1990, p. 90)
This was the beginning of the National Council, “the nucleus of the national organization” (Current, 1990, p. 90). To work in tandem with Professor Nash’s proposal, Professor John A. De Remer of Union College “suggested a committee of one member from every chapter to meet at the University of the City of New York on October 18, 1881” (Current, 1990, p. 90 ). With this new addition, the amendment passed.
The second Convention meeting happened on September 6th, 1882 in Saratoga Springs. Twenty-eight delegates from fifteen chapters attended, but only seven of those delegates actually had the power to vote. Two other delegates only had the power to vote if there were amendments being added. For the constitution to go into effect, a minimum of twelve chapters were necessary. Because of this, the constitution could not go into effect, which delayed the delegates the opportunity to become members of the National Council. Those present were able to alter some present matters the society was dealing with, resulting in the number needed to ratify changing from twelve to fourteen. Eventually, all the chapters voted in agreeance and delegates were able to start electing members to the Senate. They also elected Charles W. Eliot, the president of Harvard University, the president of the society.
All information was received from: Current, R. N. (1990). Phi beta kappa in american life: The first two hundred years. New York, New York: Oxford University Press.
