The NSBE Body
Governance
NSBE is governed by a National Constitution which is ratified by its membership. The Constitution provides for a National Executive Board (NEB) to oversee the programs and activities of the Society. The NEB itself is governed by a set of By-Laws, Rules and Regulations. The By-Laws provide more specific information regarding organizational working rules, but cannot in any way conflict with the National Constitution.
The NEB is comprised of 18 elected positions and several officially appointed positions, and is headed by the National Chairperson. In addition to the NEB, other important NSBE sectors include: regions, chapters, the Alumni Extension, the National Headquarters, the Board of Corporate Affiliates, and various
NSBE advisors (at the national, regional, and chapter levels). Each of these is briefly described below.
Regions
NSBE is divided into six geographic regions designed to facilitate effective communication and action among its 270 student chapters and 50 alumni chapters across the nation. The regions serve as an administrative channel through which information from the NEB and National Headquarters is disseminated. Regions have executive boards (REBs) modeled after the NEB which provide direction to their chapters and assist in coordinating chapter activities. The REB is comprised of 16 elected positions and several officially appointed positions, and is headed by the Regional Chairperson. REBs identify sponsors and generate funding to support programs in their respective regions.
Alumni Extension
The NSBE Alumni Extension affords the NSBE graduate the opportunity to participate in activities which support the goals and objectives of the Society. In this way, professional engineers and scientists can continue their association with the organization. The mission of the Alumni Extension is to support NSBE in a way that develops and enhances NSBE's existing programs, increases technical awareness in the African-American community, encourages scholastic achievement, and stimulates enthusiasm among their professional colleagues. The Alumni Executive Board (AEB) is comprised of elected positions appointed positions, and is headed by the National Alumni Chairperson who holds one seat on the National Executive Board (NEB).
Chapters
NSBE student chapters, located at colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada, are the center of the Society’s activities. Chapter membership provides the creative and programmatic impetus which directs the entire organization. The Chapter Executive Board is comprised of elected and appointed positions.
World Headquarters
The NSBE World Headquarters (WHQ) is located at 205 Daingerfield Road in Alexandria, Virginia. The World Headquarters helps to provide the continuity necessary to achieve the Society's goals. The headquarters staff manages the Society’s daily operations and fundraising activities, provides for the continuity of its programs, and serves as a central point of contact for both NSBE members and the general public. Staff activities are coordinated by the National Executive Director, who reports directly to the NEB.
The World Headquarters also houses the membership database as well as NSBE Publications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NSBE which is responsible for the production of NSBE Magazine, the Career Engineer, the Bridge and the NSBE Bulletin.
NSBE Advisors
Philosophy of NSBE Advising
A NSBE advisor must be supremely confident in the capability of NSBE officers at all levels to manage the organization. Thus, the role of an advisor is simply to outline all of the various pros, cons, and possible consequences of particular actions for all the various issues which NSBE officers face. With the benefit of the experienced perspectives of their advisors, the NSBE members are then fully equipped to make the proper decisions and to choose their own direction.