The organizations shall be known as The Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame.
The purposes for which this organization were formed are:
1. To recognize the accomplishments of Wabash Valley musicians by inducting them
into a Hall of Fame. For the purposes of the Hall of Fame, the Wabash Valley
is defined as consisting of the Indiana counties of Vigo, Clay, Sullivan,
Vermillion, Parke, Greene, Putnam and Owen, and the Illinois counties of Clark,
Edgar and Crawford.
2. To promote an atmosphere of friendship and fellowship among all area
musicians.
3. To execute an Annual Induction Ceremony at which musicians are awarded
Certificates of Induction in the presence of their peers.
4. To maintain a meaningful relationship with the community as a whole.
Section 1: Board Of Directors.
1. The organization shall be governed by a Board of Directors (hereafter referred
to as "Board") consisting of between seven and fifteen members.
2. Board members (hereafter referred to as “members”) must be duly inducted
members of the Hall of Fame, and must be elected to the position by the Board.
New members are eligible to begin their duties immediately after being elected
and accepting the position. Members are not subject to term limits.
3. Members may be removed for cause, by a majority vote of the Board.
4. Members who resign from the Board should submit their resignation in
writing (which can include any format that can be printed, such as email,
instant messaging, text messages, etc.). The Board shall vote to accept the
resignation. Once accepted, public notification should be made on the Hall
of Fame's Facebook page, web site, or any other manner that the Board deems
appropriate.
5. All issues voted on by the Board will be decided by simple majority rule. A
quorum of members must be present to vote on issues. A quorum is defined
as being a minimum of 51% of the members.
6. If a member cannot attend a meeting, but wishes to vote on an issue to be
presented at that meeting, they can cast an absentee ballot by conveying their
wishes to the Chair before the meeting starts. This should be done in writing
(e-mail, for example), but when time or circumstances do not allow for this to
be done, it can be done verbally, then followed up later in writing.
Section 2: Board Officers.
1. Board officers (hereafter referred to as “officers”) shall consist of a Chair, one or
two Vice-Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer. A member may serve in more than
one office during the same term. Officers are not subject to term limits.
2. Officer elections will be conducted every two years in even numbered years. In
election years, the Board will open nominations at the first meeting to be held
after the Induction Ceremony. A slate of candidates will be developed by having
members make nominations for the available offices. The slate will be finalized
and the election of officers will take place at the following meeting. Those elected
will assume office on the first day of the month following the election.
3. Officers may be removed for cause, by a majority vote of the Board. If an officer
should resign, be removed or otherwise become unable to serve before completing
their term, the Board shall elect a member to complete their term
Section 3: Historian.
The Board, at its discretion, may appoint a Historian. The Historian does not have to be a member of the Board or of the Hall of Fame. However, if the Historian is not a member of the Board, he or she shall attend Board meetings only when invited, and does not have voting privileges.
Section 4: Committees.
The Board may create and dissolve standing and temporary (ad hoc) committees as it sees fit. Committee members do not have to be members of the Board or of the Hall of Fame. However, if a committee member is not a member of the Board, he or she shall attend Board meetings only when invited, and voting privileges are limited to the committee.
Section 1: Membership Qualifications.
1. At a minimum, a candidate must be 40 or more years of age and have performed for
a minimum of 20 years, with a portion of their musical career spent in the Wabash
Valley as defined in this document. At its discretion, the Board may consider
additional factors, such as the degree of success that the candidate has attained.
2. Musicians MUST have a completed questionnaire on file to be considered for
induction into the Hall of Fame. All submissions will be investigated. If the
consensus of the Board is that the investigation shows that the candidate is worthy
of induction, he or she will be placed into the Candidate Pool.
Section 2: Membership Selection Process.
1. Before each Induction Ceremony, the Board will select the candidates to be
inducted from the Candidate Pool. The ideal Induction Class size is fifteen (15)
people, but the Board may adjust this number for any Induction Class where the
Board determines that circumstances warrant the change.
The Board reserves the right to select deceased musicians who met the
qualifications for induction before their passing but had not yet been selected for an
Induction Class.
2. If, during the period between selection and induction, a candidate is found to be
involved in, comes under investigation of, is formally charged with, or is convicted
of any activity that could reflect unfavorably on the Hall of Fame, the Board may
choose to remove his or her name from the Selected Inductees List.
If this candidate has already been sent a notification letter, the Board shall send
a follow-up letter detailing the reason(s) why he or she was removed from this list.
Due to the sensitive nature of its contents, and possible repercussions, this letter
shall be sent via Registered Mail. This method of mailing provides written proof
that the candidate had received and signed for it.
Once the candidate has been removed from the list, the Board shall meet for the
purpose of determining whether or not to select a replacement, and making the
selection if needed.
The Board may, at its discretion, reconsider these candidates for future Induction
Classes.
3. A candidate does not become an Inductee until he or she is presented with an
Induction Certificate at the annual Induction Ceremony, or in the case of those who
are unable to attend the ceremony, had their name and accomplishments read at
the annual Induction Ceremony.
4. If a candidate should pass after they have been notified that they will be inducted,
but before the Induction Ceremony, their award shall be given posthumously to
their next-of-kin at the Induction Ceremony.
The Band of Angels was established to recognize musicians who are deceased. It contains members of the
Hall of Fame, and non-members whom the Board feels are worthy of recognition. Musicians may be inducted
into the Band of Angels under the following conditions:
1. Hall of Fame members who pass away automatically become members of the Band
of Angels.
2. Members of the Candidate Pool who pass away may be inducted into the Hall of
Fame posthumously (see Article IV, Section 2) and will automatically become
members of the Band of Angels. If they are not inducted posthumously, the Board
may still induct them into the Band of Angels, but they will not be members of the
Hall of Fame.
3. Non-members who did NOT meet the qualifications for induction into the Hall
before they passed away may be inducted into the Band of Angels at the discretion
of the Board. It is preferred, but not required, that the person have played for
at least 15 years. They will not be members of the Hall.