NSBE Professionals RLC 2023 Notes

The RLC was held virtually for NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Professionals. Here are some of the notes that I took from the sessions that took place.

Day 1 - General Session

Chapter suggestions

• need to keep an up to date website; dont have to use every social media platform
• utilize the metrics of Eventbrite and compare them to the others

• user buzzwords for better promotion for events and captions

• do in-person events, meetings

• collaborate with other groups; collaborations result in networking

• look for the gaps in your community

• what do people miss doing? what is happening locally?

GBM strategy

• people that want to be involved will stay active and
• meet at company offices, hotels, libraries, college meeting spaces with NSBE collegiate
• company tours as an alternative

Mixers Strategy

• consider Black owned venues
• new places are typically flexible
• example, doing a game night or trivia

Timeline

• promote events at least one month in advance
• post on social media
• utilize seasonal offerings, events
• have passive signage at public events for recruiting and to spark interest

Tools commonly used

• Eventbrite - set up so that donations can be submitted. should be suggested regularly
• Stickermule - stickers, keychains, weekly deals
• Canva - flyers, merchandise; non profits get premium access
• free ads on Google for non profits

Other

• automated emails that remind members when the membership year is about to end, remind them to renew
• all members in a GroupMe; no paywall
• network with those that are looking to reach back and pull up

Day 1

Comm Zone Breakout Session

general

• branding guidelines which is available on the website
• consistent content, post regularly
• use clickable links
• optimize posting times, use analytics to determine when the best time to post
• use hashtags that are relevant to city or local area

website management

• how to become a member; paying dues
• membership highlights - things that members are doing (getting degress, licenses, etc)
• links to social media pages
• governing documents; previous meeting minutes
• links to NSBE website
• chapter officers, chairs, and committees

marketing plans

• schedule content posts
• know where the market is; use analytics to determine where the message should be delivered to
• have a call to action in your posts

Day 2

Regional breakout

• town hall in September

Day 3

General Session

• form to complete for chapters, https://form.jotform.com/231425342952049; due September 30

Board Administrative Best Practices

Leadership roles and Advisory Board

• assign duties by roles
• some chapters have Advisory Chair, which advises the Admin Zone
• Advisory Board has an advisor for each Zone within the chapter
• Advisory Board is made up of emeritus of those in the previous zone. they meet with zone leaders periodically to offer advice
• board should consist of board chair, zone advisor co-chair, and industry advisor co-chair

Chapter leadership gudie

• intended to be a guide as a standard operating procedures;
• covers procedures for meetings, and more
• Zone Overview Handbook - tasks, metrics, timing
• documents are stored on Google Drive
• create processes for each of the zones; templates are used to support and make process easier
• external programs forms - used to collect information for people that want to collaborate; prevents lost and overlooked emails
• internal programs forms - have zone member assigned tasks

• use QuickBooks for internal accounting and for tracking reimbursements

• have revenue streams