Membership is looked upon more as a distiction awarded for academic achievement than an opportunity for literary exchange. Whereas other honorary societies exist to reward scholarship in fields other than the liberal arts and sciences, Phi Beta Kappa is dedicated to the ideal of liberal learning and general education. The basic unit od Phi Beta Kappa is the local chapter, Membership in the society is attained only through election by chapter. Applications are neither solicited not accepted. At the regional level there are over fifty Phi Beta Kappa Associations whose members meet regularly for lectures and discussions.
Many Associations are active in mobilizing public support for liberal education.
A national legislative body of Phi Beta Kappa is the Council, consisting of elected chapter delegates, which converse every three years to transact business for the society as a whole. The Senate, a permenant executive body, consists of members elected by the Council and meets annually to conduct business. The United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa sponsors a national lecturship, a Visiting Scholar program, annual book awards, a distinguished service award program, a fellowship, and two major publication, The American Scholar and The Key Reporter. Election to Membership Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa originates with a nomication process from within each local chapter. However, it may decide to nominate a lesser number.