Message from the Chair

Greetings Region V Alumni Members:

Vanguard as defined by Webster is “the leader for intellectual movement”. Region V has distinguishes this honor for years. I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve as your Regional Alumni Chair for 2009-2010. I put special emphasis on your because the Region V Alumni Executive Board, especially with respect to myself, is more than dedicated to continuing our efforts to properly serve you – the membership.

The National Society of Black Engineers provides scholarships and awards to our alumni members in an effort to help them “excel academically.” To ensure our members “succeed professionally,” various events take place at our regional Professional Development Conference. These events include, but are not limited to, Career Fairs, Technical Exhibitions and Workshops geared towards leadership and professional development. To “positively impact the community,” NSBE gives back to the community on a chapter, regional and national level. Region V Alumni will lead the way in giving back by participating in Engineering Projects in Community Services (EPICS). This organization is continuously focusing on bridging the digital divide and making a substantial impact on the community.

It is my goal to encourage all members to share in the work and success of this organization. As technical professionals, we are excellent communicators. We understand the importance of careful planning, setting realistic objectives and evaluating our efforts. We value the interests of diversity and work hard at forming partnerships. We know well that we deal in complex issues that warrant multi-level responses. And at the base of all our efforts is an unyielding commitment to technical advancement. NSBE offers you a spectacular network of people to turn to, socially and professionally.

The Region V Alumni Extension Vision is to engage our members towards:

* Working together as a team.
* Providing a higher level of technical excellence
* Ensuring unity with the Pre Collegiate and Collegiate members
* Communicating and networking with At Large Members
* Strengthen the pipeline to increase retention and recruitment

Within an organization with a membership of 30,000 plus and enormous support from our Board of Corporate Affilitates, we can increase our visibility and enhance on opportunities that are available. Reaching our At Large Members and inactive memberships should be a constant commitment we make as we think upon our mission and regional AE vision. As we leave the directives of P.O.W.E.R , we will strive to support the 2009-2010 National Directives “R.I.S.E.” set by the National Chair Stacyann Russell.

Our National Directives are:

Retention: Developing and retaining members, chapter growth

International Development: Reaching out to international members

Scholastic Achievement: Providing resources to college and technical professionals

Economic Empowerment: Programming to foster black owned technical business, NSBEpreneur

We can continue to enhance and develop our leadership/professional skills while helping each other through mentorship and chapter partnership.

Your Regional Alumni Executive Board is here to assist and strengthen our leaders within the region. This can’t be done without your support and input. Attached is the 2009-2010 Region V Alumni Executive Board Contact Information for your use. Please contact the board members with respective questions and concerns you might have. We solicit your comments and suggestions as we continue to uphold the title as the Vanguard Region for this organization.

In NSBE Luv,

Sherrelle R. Diggs, P.E.
National Society of Black Engineers
Region V AE Chair