Nomination Information

Special Notice Regarding Essential Considerations

1. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town officials (HoF) recognizes people who have made significant contributions to local government beyond their own community. Quite often those submitting nominations overlook this essential, primary consideration in their quest to make others aware of an individual they think deserves recognition for their service to their local community. Thousands of individuals daily make a difference in the cities and towns in Oklahoma. Many do so day after day, year after year, even decade after decade. But to rise to the level required for induction into the HoF their efforts must have made a significant difference to local government service beyond their own community. Otherwise, they are more likely eligible for one of many other awards recognizing municipal service in Oklahoma; but not the HoF.

2. Those evaluating the nominations likely have no prior knowledge or awareness of a nominee. Therefore, they rely solely on the material in the nomination form or support letters to gauge the worthiness or merit of individual nominees. Nominators should not rely upon a person’s “well known or well documented” reputation as sufficient to secure their selection as an inductee.

Eligibility.

• To be eligible for induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials, an individual either must serve or have served as an elected, paid professional or appointed official of a city, town, public trust, or organization(s) that pursues the advancement of municipal government. Honorees must have served in one or a combination of the above capacities in Oklahoma and must exemplify the positive spirit of public service with unquestioned ethics. THE PRIMARY consideration for inductees is that through their service they must have made significant contributions to local government beyond their own community, which must be demonstrated in the nomination materials .

Selection Criteria.

• In addition to the requirements outlined above, nominees who meet one or more of the following criteria will receive enhanced consideration:

1. Their nomination is supported by at least two but no more than four character-reference letters.

2. They have received awards or special recognition from municipal government(s) and/or professional associations.

3. They have been recognized and rewarded for their local government service by organizations outside of their own local government and/or their affiliate organization.

4. They are (or have been) a member in good standing of an association or associations related to the position.

5. They are (or have been) active in service or civic organization(s) within the community.

6. The number of years of service in Oklahoma also will be considered.

7. Any other factors pointed out by individuals making nominations that may elevate the stature of the nominee above the majority of others holding similar positions.

Other Considerations.

• Up to four character-reference letters and/or resolutions not exceeding one page each, and the nominee’s resume or vita also should be submitted.

For additional information on the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials Foundation, or questions in regard to the nomination process, please contact Deborah Miner-Gonzales, by email at deborah@meso.org.

Nominations Open for the Hall of Fame

Nominations for inductees into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials are accepted until June 1st each year. The City and Town Officials Hall of Fame annually recognizes up to six individuals for outstanding achievement in the field of city and town management.

Hall of Fame inductees must serve or have served as an elected, paid professional or appointed official of an Oklahoma city, town, or public trust; or in an organization that pursues the advancement of municipal government. In addition, significant contributions to Oklahoma local government beyond their own organization, through a spirit of positive public service with unquestioned ethics, are the primary considerations in selection of inductees.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Annual Oklahoma Municipal League Conference Banquet.

The required nomination form is available online at www.oml.org, www.omctfoa.com or www.omag.org, from this website or from Foundation Secretary Deborah Miner-Gonzales, who may be contacted at 405-528-7564 x 1 or deborah@meso.org.

Sixty-nine officials have been inducted into the hall of fame since the first ceremony in 2001. Prior inductees by communities where they resided when inducted are:

The Hall of Fame Foundation was organized in 1999 and is supported by the Oklahoma Municipal League; City Management Association of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Municipal Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officials Association; Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group; Mayors Council of Oklahoma; the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund; the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma, Inc.; and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority.