"The Process"

• The call for nominations begins in April 2010. A volunteer Nominations Committee actively seeks potential nominations throughout the state of New Mexico between April and July.
• Potential nominators and nominees are urged to go to the website to learn more about the nomination process. The nomination form is on the website and can be submitted electronically or by mail, fax or by hand delivering it to Samaritan Counseling Center.
• The deadline for the 2011 cycle is Friday, August 6, 2010 at 5:00 pm.
• All nominations are submitted to an independent volunteer Screening Committee*. They are charged with evaluating all nominations to determine the final 30 nominees.
• A maximum of 30 nominations are forwarded to the UNM Anderson School of Management near the end of August.
• Undergraduate students enrolled in Management 308, “The Ethical, Political, and Social Environment of Business” participate in this semester-long project that provides an understanding of ethical, political, social, regulatory, and environmental issues that influence or impact business decision-making. The students form teams and are randomly assigned a nominee to investigate and research over the course of the semester. The teams interview the nominee and nominator and other stakeholders. A final paper is produced by each student team at the end of the semester.
• These reports are forwarded to an independent volunteer Selection Committee* in mid-December. The committee, comprised of 12-14 community business leaders reads every report, gathers additional information, and then meets to determine the recipients of the award. Up to three for-profit businesses, one non-profit organization and one individual are selected.
• The recipients are publicly announced in early February. The Awards dinner takes place in April, when the cycle begins again with a call for nominations for the next year.
  

*Selection and Screening Committee members are required to identify and disclose any potential conflicts of interest they might have with any business, non-profit organization or individual nominee(s). To avoid such conflicts or any appearance of impropriety, Committee members with actual or potential conflicts are excused from the deliberative process regarding the nominee with whom the Committee member has an actual or potential conflict.