Constitution & By-Laws:

Revised December 2005/Approved November 2006; Revised February 2016/Approved March 2016; revised November 2017; revised June 2020, revised February 2022/Approved March 2022; revised/Approved November 2023.

PREAMBLE

The mission of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame is to celebrate the Kansas heritage of outstanding business leadership.

Goals:

To promote an appreciation of the role of leadership in the American free enterprise system.
To recognize outstanding examples of Kansas leadership and business excellence.
To provide role models to inspire dreams and guide careers.

Recognition and celebration of outstanding contributions are a noble part of higher education’s heritage. Traditionally, appreciation has been reserved for leaders in music, art, literature, athletics, politics, education, and science. The Kansas Business Hall of Fame seeks to extend this tradition to business leaders.

ARTICLE 1: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame will be selected from business, academic centers, education, government, labor, and the general public. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to contribute annually and /or to provide support for and commitment to the operations and activities of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame. The Executive Director will request monetary contributions from the Kansas Business Hall of Fame Board of Directors for the calendar year. Annual contributions for the calendar year are due no later than November 1st.

Meetings will occur a minimum of twice a year. In person or virtual attendance is encouraged at least once a year.

The Board shall consist of, but not be limited to, representatives from the following:
These individuals are automatically members of the Board of Directors as a consequence of the position held. These individuals have the authority to appoint a proxy to attend meetings and vote on his or her behalf.
1. Kansas Secretary of Commerce
2. President/CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce
3. Deans of the Business Programs from the Kansas Regents Institutions and Washburn University
The business community in, but not limited to, areas such as accounting, agriculture, distribution, energy, finance, insurance, manufacturing, technologies, retail, and transportation.
Officials from government, either elected or appointed.
Others deemed necessary to further the work of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame.

ARTICLE 2: NOMINATION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

The chair of the Board and the executive director of Kansas Business Hall of Fame will comprise the nomination committee. Nominees’ names may be submitted to the nominating committee by any Board member but must be submitted in time to forward the names of the nominees to the Board members in advance of the upcoming meeting for Board approval. All nominees must subscribe to the basic goals of the Hall of Fame program.

ARTICLE 3: TERM OF OFFICE OF BOARD MEMBERS

Board members shall be elected to serve a four-year term and shall be eligible for re-election at the end of each term.

ARTICLE 4: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The business of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame will be guided by an executive committee of seven board members, which includes the following: the Dean of the ESU School of Business, the immediate past Board Chair, and five at-large members how are elected by the entire board for three-year terms. Ex-officio (non-voting) members of the Executive Committee include the Treasurer/Recorder, Executive Director, and the Education and Social Media Coordinator.

The responsibilities of the Executive Committee include: providing smooth transitions of leadership; implementing strategic planning; improving recruitment of and engagement by board members; improving Kansas Business Hall of Fam resources; forming and encouraging relationships with inductees; and others as needed.

ARTICLE 5: OFFICERS

The officers of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame shall include a Board Chair, who is elected by the Executive Committee to a two-year term, and can be reelected once for a maximum of four years; and a Vice-Chair, who is elected by the Executive Committee for a two-year term. The Vice-Chair can be reelected for additional two-year terms.

The Board Chair will lead general board meetings and those of the Executive Committee, be available to assist the Executive Director and other officers as needed, and perform ceremonial duties. The Vice=Chair shall preside over meetings when the Chair is absent and be prepared to step into the Chair role as needed.

ARTICLE 6: WHO WILL BE HONORED IN THE KANSAS BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

Honor awards shall be considered each year in the following categories:

1. Historical Heritage Award: Given to a person (or persons) who has made a contribution to the business of Kansas which clearly establishes that person as a significant historical figure.

2. Contemporary Honors Award: Given to a person or persons of outstanding leadership in contemporary Kansas business, or a native Kansan who has achieved national recognition.

3. Special Awards: Given to a person, persons, or institution for unusual service to businesses in Kansas.

Criteria and qualities to be considered in making nominations and selecting recipients include but are not limited to leadership, innovation, ethical behavior, obstacles overcome, financial success, diversity (e.g., region, industry, ethnicity & gender), philanthropy, contribution to society (the greater good), and recognition.

ARTICLE 7: SELECTION CRITERIA

By April 1, the Executive Director will request nominations from (a) the Kansas Business Hall of Fame Board of Directors, (b) Kansas Chamber of Commerce, (c) local chambers of commerce, (d) any group of organizations that the Board deems appropriate, and (e) previous inductees.

Comprised of the executive director, chair, and three others appointed by the chair, the recommendation committee will meet in August of each year to select nominees to present to the Board at the fall meeting. The award recipients will be selected by a participating majority of Board members at the fall meeting.

It will not be expected that all awards will be given each year. Exceptions to the award requirements can be made by a voting majority of the Board members present. When conferred, these are the criteria for selection:

Historical Heritage Award: All of the following are required:
1. Nominations and suggestions for these awards will be solicited from the general business community, groups, and academia.
2. Business leaders who have added to the prestige and growth of Kansas
3. Individuals who have been deceased for not less than ten years.
4. Approval by a voting majority of the participating Board members present.
Contemporary Honors Award: All of the following are required
1. Nominations and suggestions for these awards will be solicited from the general business community, groups, or academia.
2. Contemporary, living business leaders of Kansas.
3. Recipients need not be living in Kansas, but the work they have done shall be an outstanding example of Kansas leadership and business excellence.
4. Approval by a voting majority of the participating Board members present.
Special Awards: All of the following are required:
1. Nominations and suggestions for these awards will be solicited from the general business community, groups and academia.
2. Any institution or individual may be considered for this award.
3. The purpose is to recognize the non-business sector of Kansas society in cases where a major contribution to business growth and accomplishment in Kansas has been made.
4. Approval a voting majority of the participating Board members.

ARTICLE 8: LOCATION

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame, Inc., and its executive offices shall be located in the School of Business at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas

ARTICLE 9: CONSTITUTION ADDITIONS OR AMENDMENTS

The constitution may be amended or repealed, and new provisions may be adopted by a majority vote of the participating Board members at any regular or special meeting or mail vote either by U.S. mail or electronically. Notice of any proposed amendment, addition, or repeal of a provision shall be mailed to each member of the Board at least ten (10) days before the date of the meeting when the vote on the change will be held.