SACNAS Partnership Council

Purpose and Overview

The purpose of the Council is to support and advance the Mission and Vision of SACNAS. Through the Partnership Council, SACNAS benefits from the expertise and guidance of industry leaders. The council focuses on sharing best practices, providing guidance in strengthening the organization, driving strategic change, enhancing networks and the membership experience, and partnering on diversity advocacy in STEM.

This council exists so that SACNAS and its top-tier partners can share and explore strategies that drive growth and set expectations for joint success. As a Partnership council member, you will have the opportunity to engage with SACNAS year-round and drive growth in your workforce.

Members will support the mission and objectives of the council by:  

•  Providing major financial support for the organization and its programs
•  Explore joint strategies to influence the future of SACNAS
•  Provide feedback on programs to assist SACNAS partners become most successful
•  Act as a consult to SACNAS staff and leadership, sharing insight and industry trends
•  Promoting opportunities for SACNAS members

SACNAS is the nation’s largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM diversity organization and has a 40+ year history of direct service, advocacy, and thought leadership. SACNAS is broadly inclusive with a specific focus on Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, which represent the largest growing minority demographic and the most chronically underserved population respectively. We have nearly 8,300 members, 118 student and professional chapters, and serve a larger community of over 20,000.

•  Vision: Achieving True Diversity in STEM. True Diversity means that the field (including leadership positions) accurately and proportionately reflects the demographics of the population.
•  Mission: SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
•  SACNAS Strategic Plan: The 2016-2021 SACNAS strategic plan is a platform to drive change, broaden our network, and strengthen opportunities for our members.

The Council will provide mentoring, guidance, and feedback based on their extensive collective experience, knowledge, diverse backgrounds, and social networks for the development and improvement of SACNAS. The council is a smaller, highly selective group of organizations whose representatives may include SACNAS members. Council members should be high-level decision makers within their organization. The council must be equally balanced between large and small organizations and represent a broad cross section of Industry.

Benefits and Pricing

What’s included by being a member of the Partnership Council:

• 1 year of SACNAS Connect365 access to our state-of the-art career center and digital recruiting portal.
• In-person Exhibit booth at either SACNAS CareerCon in the summer or NDiSTEM Conference in the fall.
• Participation in one Leadership Training curriculum development
• Access to discounted pricing for Certification Program
• Access to discounted pricing for Leadership Training Programs
• Elevated branding for both NDiSTEM and CareerCon conferences which will include conference signage, discipline or industry specific e-blast,
  website, and printed program (if applicable).

Recognition:

• SACNAS website (both partnership page as well as the conference home page)
• On-Stage Recognition and Plaque presentation during Awards Ceremony at NDiSTEM fall conference.
• Membership Pin
• Quarterly E-Newsletter will have a Partnership Council recognition section

Pricing:

• Founding member price through 12.31.21: $40,000
• 1 year membership in Council: $50,000
• 2 year membership $95,000
• 3-year membership: $125,000

Founding Members will receive a discount of 25% for their first renewal year, but only at the equivalent renewal level or higher. (i.e. if a one-year membership is purchased the participating organization will receive a discount in year 2 for any level renewal. If a two-year membership is purchased, then in year three the purchasing organization could receive a 25% discount on a 2-year or a 3-year renewal, however, they would
pay full-price if they opted to only renew for 1 year).

Structure and Composition

The Council shall be comprised of a recommended minimum council size of 10 but no more than 25 with the optimum size ranging from 15-20. Nominations for seats can come from any Council member. The Council will be led by a Chairperson. Council members can be on-boarded at any point throughout the year; or all at once.

Council Member Structure

The council will have a good representation of companies from all market sectors and not limit itself to just academic organizations.

Term Limits

Two-year terms renewable up to 1 extra time (total 4 years of consecutive service).
Additional consideration may be made by the Council for extending or ending service.

Advisory Board Composition Considerations

• Diversity (age, ethnicity, gender, industry, geographic location, mission-focused)   
• Staggered terms for continuity and Council management 
• Professional, political, and community connectedness 
• Appropriate representation from industries 
• Sponsorship and participation levels

Officer Position Descriptions

In order to ensure that the Council and Leadership work effectively together as a team, it is vital to identify specific duties
and responsibilities for each role involved with the Council. Once established, it is the responsibility of all Council members and
Leadership to hold each other accountable for their defined roles.

ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

• Acts as the external liaison for the Council to Leadership.
• Plans, leads and supports follow-up of each advisory board meeting in partnership with SACNAS Leadership.
• Plays a leadership role representing SACNAS with their employer, in the community and with all organization initiatives, and annually at the fall NDi STEM Conference.
• Holds Council members accountable and supports effective between the Council and Leadership.

CHAIR-ELECT

• Performs Council Chair’s responsibilities in their absence at events, meetings and in the community
  Responsible for ensuring effective transition into role of Council Chair at the end of term.
• Act as an additional leader within the Council, including, but not limited to, chairing a standing committee or any ad hoc
  responsibilities as assigned by the Council Chair.

ADVISORY MEMBER

• Attend all standing meetings of the Council and any additional assigned standing committee meetings.
• Be available to attend local programmatic events.
• Provide professional and personal feedback and advice to the Council and Leadership to advance the mission and vision of
  SACNAS.

STAFF PARTNER

• Hold Council Chair and Council members accountable for follow through and follow up on Council actions and efforts.
• Provide updates on current programs and expansion efforts within the organization.
• Provide action items for Council members to engage in programmatic activities throughout the year.
• Cultivate relationships with parents, advisors and community partners for possible Council engagement and outreach.
• Serve as Primary Liaison between Council and SACNAS – provide updates on Council objectives to SACNAS Executive Director regularly

Council Meetings

• The Council will meet a minimum of four times per year. Council members shall be notified of the time and place of regular meetings no less than 14 days prior to the meeting. One of the regular meetings shall be designated as the annual meeting and shall be held in person to transact other business as necessary.
• Meetings will be held once per quarter via teleconference unless Council members are planning to attend an event such
  as the Annual Conference where a face-to-face meeting could be arranged.
• Regular attendance at these meetings is considered a critical component to the success of the Council and members may attend in person or by electronic means, at the member’s option. Upon three consecutive absences without cause, the Council may at its’ discretion, require a member to resign from the Council.

Council Records and Reports

Questions? Contact Us