The National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum is a not-for-profit venture of The Museum of Broadcast Communications (“MBC”) in Chicago, a 501(C)3 tax-exempt institution.

National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum STEERING COMMITTEE
National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum Steering Committee (“RHOFSC”) members are appointed by the President of the MBC and include radio executives, academicians, trade journalists and others interested in preserving radio's rich history and creating a shrine to recognize radio’s role in society.

DUTIES
The principal responsibility of the RHOFSC is to nominate worthy individuals for induction in four categories:

  • Pioneer Network or Syndicated
  • Active Network or Syndicated
  • Pioneer Local or Regional
  • Active Local or Regional

RHOFSC members are required to follow the procedures set forth below.

The RHOFSC shall make no more than four recommendations in each of the above-named categories.

The RHOFSC also has the option to select an Emerson Award inductee each year at its August meeting. The Emerson Award is presented for distinguished lifetime achievement in production, management, or technology.

The RHOFSC may also make additional inductions that they deem appropriate and in the best interests of the National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum.

No ad lib recommendations to the National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum are permitted at any meeting of the RHOFSC.

Members of the RHOFSC are encouraged to attend all meetings. However, out-of-town members will be polled for their opinions on important matters and, if necessary, can participate via telephone.

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION
The criteria used for nominations should be as follows:

  • Pioneer Network or Syndicated
    A broadcaster who has given at least 20 years of dedicated service to the radio industry and has been a leader in developing or improving radio programming at the national level.
  • Active Network or Syndicated
    A broadcaster who has made at least a 20-year contribution to the radio industry and has distinguished him/herself at the local and/or regional level.
  • Pioneer Local or Regional
    An active broadcaster who has made at least ten years of significant contributions to the industry on a national level.
  • Active Local or Regional
    An active broadcaster who has made at least a ten-year contribution to the radio industry and has distinguished him/herself at the local and/or regional level.
  • Emerson Award
    Earned for distinguished lifetime achievement in production, management, or technology. (Selected by RHOFSC at August meeting.)

NOMINATIONS
The general public is encouraged to make recommendations to the RHOFSC. All recommendations can be made either directly to the National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum or through a state broadcast association. Recommendations must include a letter stating credentials of the person recommended, as well as background on the individual to be considered and an audio sample, if possible. The National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum will then ask the appropriate state broadcast association to second the nomination.

To be considered by the RHOFSC, all recommendations must be received by the President of the National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum no later than April 1st of each year.

Recommendations are then reviewed by the RHOFSC at its April meeting. Once submitted to the RHOFSC, all past recommendations are reviewed each year.

Recommendations for the Emerson Award must be received by the President of the National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum no later than August 1st of each year for review by the full RHOFSC at its August meeting.

VOTING
Ballots listing the names of the nominees are sent to all active Museum of Broadcast Communications/National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum members in good standing. The first wave of ballots is mailed in early May, and a second mailing to new members is mailed in early July. The voting deadline is August 1st of each year. Ballots are tabulated by the accounting firm of Altschuler, Melvoin and Glasser LLP of Chicago.

The person that finishes first in each of the above categories is inducted into The National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum at its annual dinner/broadcast on the first Saturday in November of each year.

NOMINEES
National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum nominees with a minimum of 50 votes in the national balloting shall be eligible for another opportunity for induction. No nominee for any category shall have more than five chances for induction.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nominees are announced shortly after the RHOFSC meeting. Inductees are announced shortly following the August meeting each year.

CONFIDENTIALITY
All RHOFSC meetings are confidential sessions. Any breach in the confidentiality of these sessions will result in immediate expulsion from the RHOFSC.