The Area XI 2002-2004 Board established the Ring of Fame for those who have made outstanding contributions to the art of Handbell/Handchime ringing.

Area XI Ring of Fame recognizes exceptional service and commitment to handbell/handchime ringing in general. Service and commitment may include:

• Contributions as an Area XI or Sub-Area elected officer.
• Volunteer work accomplished at Area XI or Sub-Area level.
• Achievement of National recognition for contributions to AGEHR.
• Development of materials or methods specific to handbells/handchimes.
• Extended teaching/conducting that has raised the musical standards for ringing.
• Compositions for handbells/handchimes.
• Efforts to expand the art of handbell/handchime ringing into new areas -
          Educational, Community, Church, or other populations.

The Area XI Ring of Fame is awarded every two (2) years at the Area XI Festival/Conference.

There may be no more than four (4) recipients per festival.

The award may be presented posthumously.

Qualifications for Ring of Fame Nominees:

• The candidate should be a current member of the AGEHR, Inc., however exceptions may be approved by the Area XI Board of Directors.
• The candidate must have made significant contributions in one or more of the areas listed above.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. The Area XI Chair-elect is the Chair of the Ring of Fame Committee.
2. In addition, the Anonymous Ring of Fame Committee will consist of three (3) members as selected by the Ring of Fame Chair.
3. Nominations may come from members of the Area XI Board of Directors, Committee members, and the Area XI membership at large.
4. Selection criteria and process, and the nomination form will be posted to the Area XI webpage no later than October 1 of each odd numbered year.

If a nominee's contributions are in a field for which the nominee has benefited monetarily, the nominee must also have contributed to the AGEHR, Inc. and handbells/handchimes in general beyond the scope of the personal interest.

No person is considered while currently serving on the Area XI Board of Directors.

The Selection Committee screens the candidates based on the Selection Criteria and prepares a list of the candidates. From this list, the Committee will make and approve a final recommendation for the Area XI Board of Directors.

The Area XI Board of Directors receives the individual name(s) of the recommended candidate(s) at the Winter board meeting. The Area XI Board of Directors accepts or rejects each individual recommendation.

RECOGNITION PROCESS

1. Upon approval, the Committee Chair contacts the recipient(s).
2. The recipients are invited to attend the Area XI Festival, at the recipients own expense.
3. Recipients are featured in the Area XI newsletter (with permission to duplicate that information in the Sub-area newsletters that are posted at www.area11.org.)
4. AGEHR, Inc. National Office, "Overtones" editor, and E-notes, will be notified of each class of recipients.
5. Recipients are officially inducted at the Area XI Festival. If a recipient cannot attend the Area XI Festival, other arrangements are made for an appropriate presentation.
6. Past and present recipients of the Area XI Ring of Fame are invited to attend the Ring of Fame luncheon on Sunday during the Festival. If the recipient is not registered for the Festival, Area XI will host lunch.

All correspondence regarding candidates is destroyed following the vote.