Purpose and Objectives

The Center for Retailing Excellence's executive board members will utilize their experience and expertise to develop and support ways and means of advancing the presence of the Center and the Sam M. Walton College of Business in the state, region and the nation.

Executive board members will identify opportunities for partnerships between faculty and the business community for the purpose of: promoting mutual gain through such activities as student recruiting and consulting arrangements, involving faculty members in practical business problems, arranging for guest lecturers from industry, supporting state-wide outreach operations, and bringing students into direct contact with business executives and their ideas.

Executive board members will keep the Center for Retailing Excellence abreast of timely trends, changes, and developments in business so that the Sam M. Walton College of Business might more quickly incorporate real world issues into the curriculum.

Executive board members will provide board assistance in the Center’s efforts to secure financial support by identifying fund raising opportunities, making introductions, offering feedback on current development activities and prospects, and presenting the needs and achievements to prospective donors and businesses.

Executive board members will provide general advice regarding student programs and activities.

As a group, the executive board members will serve as a forum for the exchange of information and perspectives between business executives and academicians as they relate to advancing business education and business research.

Membership and Board Activities

The three-year term of membership begins from the date of the first meeting following invitation, and members may be reappointed annually following their initial three-year appointment.

Executive board members will permit the use of their names on a board directory in the Walton College and in related materials when appropriate.

The board will meet twice annually, each fall and spring on the Fayetteville campus unless otherwise determined by the executive board.

Honorary membership may be awarded at the discretion of the Center for Retailing Excellence’s executive advisory board to any person who evidences a history of genuine interest in the welfare of the Center for Retailing Excellence, Walton College and the board; an honorary member will have the same privileges of membership with the exceptions of voting and acting as a committee chair.

Executive Board Committees

Each executive board representative will serve on a minimum of one strategic initiative committee.  Each member of the executive advisory board will serve as chair of one strategic initiative committee and is charged with organization and leadership of their committee.  Committees will meet at least four times per year either physically or through teleconferencing.  Two of the four meetings may occur during the fall and spring executive board meetings.  Committees are charged with the development and growth of strategic initiatives including but not limited to: new initiatives; student initiatives; scholarships; fall conference; research; mentoring; strategic planning; public relations; and other initiatives as identified.