America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC Community
America's SBDC
Supporting America's SBDC Through Committees, Groups, Interest Sections & Taskforces
America’s SBDC thrives on collaboration and member engagement. This overview explains the various ways you can participate and contribute your expertise. Whether your focus is on leadership development, specific topics, or shaping strategic plans, there is a place for you to get involved.
Here is a breakdown of the different groups and their functions:
- Committees: Officially recognized groups that address critical tasks aligned with the association’s strategic plan. Committee Chairs are typically SBDC State or Associate State Directors with relevant expertise. Committees are formed at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
- Groups: Dedicated to elevating opportunities for their members within the network (e.g., the Associate State Directors Group). Other groups may emerge based on national initiatives or member needs and are approved and managed by the Board of Directors.
- Interest Sections: Self-managed by network personnel who share best practices and information on specific topics. The Board of Directors oversees their creation and deletion.
Get involved! This page provides details on chair responsibilities, resources for collaboration, and links to current group listings.
You must read, and agree to the community SOP to participate in the community
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America’s SBDC Committees, Interest Sections, Work Groups and Taskforces are required to complete a yearly group plan and must submit a report (meeting minutes) after each meeting. This report must be emailed to their Board Member Liaison and to the Director of Membership services to update them on the group’s discussion and any pending action that may be needed.
America’s SBDC Committee Chairs are also responsible for providing a summary of these updates at the biannual membership meetings at the request of the Board of Directors.
Work Plan
Meeting Minutes
Meeting Report Form
Chairs will provide updates at the biannual membership meetings.
Committees
Committee Chairs are typically SBDC Network Directors, Associate State Directors, or in specific instances, other personnel.
Chairs are responsible for:
- Creating and leading the group work plan, and submitting an updated plan to the Association yearly.
- Scheduling and leading committee meetings at least twice annually.
- Maintaining the current meeting schedule in the designated Association’s Groups spreadsheet.
- Communicating committee activities to Association Members
- Keeping their Board Liaison updated on activities.
- Sharing an updated list of committee members with the Association in the designated Google spreadsheet.
- Providing committee reports during the monthly board meetings and bi-annual presentations during the spring and fall America’s SBDC Board and Membership Meetings as requested.
Committee Membership
Committee Members include SBDC Network Directors, Associate State Directors, or other network personnel with specialized knowledge.
- All members must have the concurrence of their SBDC Network Director to serve.
- Only Committee Members, Board Members, State Directors, or assigned America’s SBDC staff may participate in committee meetings unless expressly invited by the Committee Chair.
- Membership will be reviewed annually following the Board of Directors election of officers and assignment of Board Liaisons.
- While there are no formal term limits, the Board of Directors annually reviews and works with Committees to ensure broad participation and leadership development opportunities across the national network.
- Co-chairs are suggested as a way to maintain continuity while supporting the growth of new leadership.
Work Groups
Work Groups are formed as needed to address specific roles, initiatives, or emerging needs within the network. Working Groups do not carry delegated Board authority.
The Associate State Director Work Group advises the Board through the Group’s elected Board representative.
The Group works to:
- Expand opportunities for Associate/Assistant State Directors in America’s SBDC organization.
- Compile and share information, tools, and best practices that can improve the operations of the America’s SBDC Network.
- Work cooperatively with America’s SBDC staff to disseminate information.
Each state/region designates one ASD voting member for the purpose of electing the Group’s Board of Directors representative.
Interest Sections
America’s SBDC Interest Sections are designed for individuals interested in a specific topic. They are organized and self-managed by network personnel who compile and share information, tools, and best practices. Interest Sections may be added or deleted at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on national initiatives or suggestions from the membership.
Interest Section Chairs
Interest Section Chairs or Co-Chairs are usually volunteers solicited by Board Members or State Directors and must have the concurrence of their SBDC Network Director to serve.
Chairs are responsible for:
- Creating and leading the group work plan, and submitting an updated plan to the Association yearly.
- Scheduling meetings at least twice annually.
- Providing written notice of interest section meetings to the membership (in the designated Google spreadsheet).
- Communicating with interest section members (encouraged to use a method such as Mobilize).
- Staying in active communication with the group Board Liaison.
- Providing an updated list of group members to the Association (in the designated Google spreadsheet).
- Coordinating as appropriate with America’s SBDC staff.
- Providing Interest Section reports during the bi-annual (Spring and Fall) Membership Meetings or as requested.
General Information
- As appropriate and necessary, Interest Sections will provide recommendations to the America’s SBDC Board.
- While there are no formal term limits for Interest Section Chairs or Members, it is suggested that the Board of Directors annually review and work with Interest Sections to ensure opportunities for broad participation across the national network and leadership development opportunities.
- Co-chairs are suggested as a way to maintain continuity while also allowing for the growth of new leadership.
Regional Leadership Groups
Regional Leadership Groups are organized by geographic regions. SBDC Network Directors, Associate State Directors, and invited guests meet regularly to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss current SBDC challenges. Most groups meet regularly via Zoom and/or hold one or two annual in-person meetings, as conditions permit. Participation from leadership outside the region is encouraged to ensure a broad understanding of the national network.
*No formal work plan requirement mentioned; focused on regular regional collaboration.
Board Liaisons
America’s SBDC Board of Directors members serve as board liaisons to Committees, Interest Sections, and geographic Regional Leadership Groups to facilitate communication and implementation of strategic activities of the national network.
*No formal work plan requirement mentioned; focused on regular regional collaboration.
Task Forces
America’s SBDC Task Forces are created as needed by the America’s SBDC Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for selecting members and designating the chair. These small groups are organized to achieve a defined task or project at the direction of the Board.
Task Forces may be chaired by a Board Member or another designated leader.
They provide monthly progress reports to the Board until the task or project is complete.
The Board should review Task Forces annually and discontinue those whose tasks are complete or have become inactive or are no longer needed.