Steering Committee

Leadership

Strategy

Decisions

Purpose

The SSBIPOC Steering Committee serves as the primary strategic leadership body for the project. Its purpose is to help guide priorities, strengthen accountability, support collaborative decision-making, and ensure SSBIPOC's programs and activities remain aligned with its mission of supporting, connecting, and increasing opportunities for BIPOC-owned businesses.

The Steering Committee provides leadership without functioning as a formal corporate Board of Directors unless the organizational structure changes in the future.

Suggested size

5–9 members.

The committee should remain small enough to make decisions efficiently while being large enough to represent multiple perspectives, industries, and areas of expertise.

Potential representation

Membership may include:

• • SSBIPOC Founder/Project Director
  • BIPOC small-business owners and entrepreneurs
  • Economic and community development professionals
  • Procurement and supplier-diversity professionals
  • Financial institutions, lenders, or capital-access professionals
  • Marketing, communications, or public-relations professionals
  • Nonprofit or community-based organization leaders
  • Business technical-assistance providers
  • Individuals with experience in government contracting, retail, or corporate procurement
  • Community representatives with strong relationships within historically underserved business communities

Representation should reflect the communities SSBIPOC serves while also bringing the skills, relationships, and perspectives necessary to advance the project.

Role/Responsibilities

The Steering Committee may:

• • Help establish annual priorities and strategic goals.
  • Provide guidance on SSBIPOC programs, initiatives, and services.
  • Review emerging opportunities and community needs.
  • Help identify partnerships, sponsors, funding opportunities, and resources.
  • Support development of sustainable programs and organizational systems.
  • Provide feedback on major initiatives before implementation.
  • Help identify gaps affecting BIPOC-owned businesses.
  • Strengthen relationships with businesses, community organizations, government agencies, corporations, and resource partners.
  • Recommend the creation of Working Committees or Action Teams when additional expertise or capacity is needed.
  • Review progress toward established goals and outcomes.
  • Serve as ambassadors for the SSBIPOC Project.
  • Help protect the integrity, mission, and community-centered nature of the project.

Final authority for matters reserved to the Founder/Project Director or SSBIPOC's legal or fiscal home should be clearly identified in the Steering Committee Charter.

Committee Charter

The Steering Committee Charter should establish:

• • Purpose and scope
  • Membership qualifications
  • Appointment and removal process
  • Length of service or terms
  • Leadership roles
  • Meeting frequency
  • Attendance expectations
  • Decision-making process
  • Voting procedures, if applicable
  • Conflict-of-interest expectations
  • Confidentiality expectations
  • Member responsibilities
  • Relationship to the Founder/Project Director
  • Relationship to the Advisory Council and Working Committees
  • Areas where the Steering Committee may make decisions
  • Areas requiring Founder/Project Director approval
  • Process for reviewing or amending the charter

Decision Made