Region V Partnership Guide

Message From The Regional Finance Chair

Dear Prospective Partner:

My name is Maya Townsend, and I am the Region V Finance chair of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). I attend the University of Missouri – Columbia, studying Mechanical Engineering. I am looking forward to fostering relationships between Region V and potential partners to fulfill NSBE’s mission, which is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

Region V hosts many of the largest chapters in all of NSBE: 60% of the 10 largest chapters in the Society are from our region. Region V encompasses 10 states in the central United States: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. With the help of our chapters, Region V won the NSBE “Region Supreme” honor for the 2021–2022 year. Region V provides your organization with access to thousands of highly motivated, highly talented individuals to fill the talent pipelines within your organization.

Region V is known as the “Vanguard Region,” because we are constantly “operating at the forefront and setting the standards for others to follow.” Region V is constantly pushing innovation within both NSBE and the workplace. This is the standard to which our membership is held. More than 80% of Region V’s collegiate members hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

An important aspect of Region V is our family bond. This extends to our chapters, regions and membership. We encourage, motivate and celebrate our membership all across the world. It is only with the support of our partners that Region V continues to excel. This makes you a part of the NSBE family. We invite you help foster and grow the next generation of innovative, intelligent and powerful minority practitioners in STEM.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our events, your sponsorship or NSBE partnerships in general, please feel free to contact me. On behalf of Region V, I thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to working with you for years to come!

Kindest regards,

Maya Townsend

2022 - 2023 Region V Finance Chair

National Society of Black Engineers 

r5Treasurer@nsbe.org | (281) 889-0935

About Region V

Past FRC Attendance

• 2021 Virtual: 713
• 2020 Virtual: 404
• 2019: 747
• 2018: 1,378
• 2017: 698
• 2016: 1,137

Membership Breakdown

• Collegiate: 922
• NSBE Jr.: 304
• Professional: 272
• Lifetime: 71

Top College Majors

• Mechanical Engineering: 24.2%
• Electrical Engineering: 15.7%
• Chemical Engineering: 13.2%
• Computer Science: 11.7%
• Industrial/Systems Engineering: 5.9%
• Computer Engineering: 5.1%
• Other Engineering: 4.8%
• Biomedical Engineering: 4.7%
• Civil Engineering: 4.5%
• Petroleum Engineering: 3.6%
• Information Technology: 2.7%
• Business: 2.5%
• Aerospace Engineering: 1.6%
• Social/Life Science: 1.5%

* Total is more than 100% due to rounding

About the Fall Regional Conferences

NSBE Fall Regional Conferences (FRCs) provide your organization with the opportunity to source candidates on a local level and help achieve your fall recruitment needs. Combining education, networking and job opportunities, FRCs provide your organization with the chance to recruit Black Engineers from your regional communities.

Each FRC includes a Career Fair, which allows organizations to recruit the best and brightest STEM and engineering talent. These unique, region-targeted events are the perfect place to match qualified candidates to your open positions and internships on a national level, as well as at your regional and district offices. They allow students to find local job opportunities and are ideal for local employers looking to recruit top talent.

Fall Regional Conference Recruitment Sponsorship Opportunities

Diamond Partner \\ $21,000

This partnership level includes:

• Two (2) exhibitor tables at the Career Fair
• Preferred placement on the Career Fair floor
• Three (3) on-site interview booths
• Two (2) workshops subject to content approval
• Twenty (20) complimentary full-access registrations
• Three (3) months of access to the NSBE Career Center Resume Database
• Ten (10) reserved seats for the Closing Reception
• Logo prominently featured in the NSBE Guide App and at the Opening Session and Closing Reception
• Opportunity to provide the keynote speaker for your choice of the Opening Session or the Closing Reception
• Option to provide a video, up to two (2) minutes in length, to be featured at the Closing Reception

Platinum Partner \\ $15,000

This partnership level includes:

• Two (2) exhibitor tables at the Career Fair
• Two (2) on-site interview booths
• One (1) workshop subject to content approval
• Fifteen (15) complimentary full-access registrations
• Three (3) months of access to the NSBE Career Center Resume Database
• Logo prominently featured in the NSBE Guide App and at the Opening Session and Closing Reception

Gold Partner \\ $10,000

This partnership level includes:

• One (1) exhibitor table at the Career Fair
• One (1) on-site interview booth
• Ten (10) complimentary full-access registrations
• Three (3) months of access to the NSBE Career Center Resume Database
• Logo prominently featured in the NSBE Guide App and at the Opening Session and Closing Reception

Silver Partner \\ $5,000

This partnership level includes:

• One (1) exhibitor table at the Career Fair
• Five (5) complimentary full-access registrations
• Three (3) months of access to the NSBE Career Center Resume Database
• Logo featured in the NSBE Guide App 

Bronze Partner \\ $4,000

NSBE Board of Corporate Affiliate (BCA) partners receive a complimentary Bronze Partner package!

This partnership level includes:

• One (1) exhibitor table at the Career Fair
• Four (4) complimentary full-access registrations
• Logo featured in the NSBE Guide App 

Nonprofit/Small Business Partner \\ $1,000

This partnership level is exclusive to small business and nonprofit organizations.

This partnership level includes:

• One (1) exhibitor table at the Career Fair
• Four (4) complimentary full-access registrations
• Logo featured in the NSBE Guide App

College/University Partner \\ $500

This partnership level is exclusive to colleges/universities.

This partnership level includes:

• One (1) exhibitor table at the Career Fair
• Four (4) complimentary full-access registrations
• Logo featured in the NSBE Guide App

Interview Booths \\ $500

NSBE Region V Partnership Opportunities

Opening Session \\ $3,000

Opening Session is the official welcome event of the conference. Members attend to receive a welcome from the sponsor and NSBE’s Regional Executive Board as well as an introduction to the conference NSBE Guide App.

Benefits include:

• Naming privileges for the session (i.e., “Opening Session, Sponsored by…”)
• Opportunity to provide a speaker at the event (5 minutes)
• Logo and web link on the NSBE Region V website

Cost of upgrades within platform is not included.

Vanguard Awards \\ $3,500

The Vanguard Awards Banquet is the culminating event of the conference, where we honor the outstanding members, leaders and humanitarians of the Region V community. The sponsors of this event will be publicly acknowledged and given ample visibility in front of the best our community has to offer, thus leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity to provide a representative to speak at the Closing Reception (maximum 15 minutes)
• Logo and web link on the NSBE Region V website

Cost of upgrades within platform is not included.

General Session \\ $2,500

General Session is the official business meeting for Region V and occurs the morning of College & Career Fair day.

Benefits include:

• Recognition in the NSBE Guide App as the official sponsor of this event
• Naming privileges for the session (i.e., “General Session, Sponsored by…”)
• Opportunity to provide a speaker at the event (5 minutes)
• Logo and web link on the NSBE Region V website

Fall Regional Conference (FRC) - Events

Graduating Seniors Reception \\ $3,500

The Graduating Seniors Reception is designed to honor NSBE students who are completing their undergraduate degree programs. The purpose of this event is to celebrate the academic achievements of the students as they prepare their entry into the workplace or graduate education. This program offers students an opportunity to interact with technical professionals in a social environment that will foster networking, relationship building and mentoring opportunities.

Benefits include:

• Naming privileges for the Graduating Seniors Reception (i.e., “Graduating Seniors Reception sponsored by...”)
• Opportunity to address the attendees during the event
• Six (6) complimentary tickets to the event
• Recognition via NSBE Region V social media outlets (Instagram and Twitter)
• Logo and web link on the NSBE Region V website

FRC APEx Reception \\ $2,000

The Academic Pyramid of Excellence (APEx) Reception brings together some of NSBE’s top academic talent for networking and professional development. Students in attendance will have GPAs of 3.0 or higher.

Benefits include:

• Recognition in the NSBE Guide App as the official sponsor of this event
• Naming privileges for APEx Reception (i.e., “APEx Reception, Sponsored by…”)
• Opportunity to provide keynote speaker for the reception
• Opportunity to collect the resumes of APEx students
• Branding on NSBE Region IV website
• Access to Region IV Executive Board Resume Book

Hospitality Suite \\ $750 + Food and Beverage

Come mix and mingle with our membership at a Hospitality Suite during the FRC. This event features students from chapters within the Vanguard Region (Region V). With a more relaxed atmosphere than the FRC Career Fair, this pre-screening event enables students to show who they are outside of the information on their resumes.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity to display a banner during the event
• Opportunity to develop personal relationships with top NSBE Region V talent

Resume Critique Workshop \\ $1,000

The purpose of this program is to assist collegiate members in critiquing their resumes while enhancing their networking skills. The Resume Critique Bootcamp utilizes the experience of Region V professionals and corporate representatives to enhance attendees’ awareness of how better to approach employers during the Career Fair.

Benefits include:

• Visual advertisement rights in the Bootcamp room
• Opportunity to enhance the quality of students’ and professionals’ resumes during their interaction with employer representatives at the Career Fair
• Logo and web link on the Region V website

Engineering Innovation Challenge (E.I.C.) \\ $2,500

This academic program presents a engineering design competition for our collegiate and pre-collegiate members. The event gives aspiring Black STEM company owners an opportunity to present their ideas, winning access to an incubator or support from a company. This competition promotes science, technological innovation and expression of creativity, while introducing the skills and techniques required for space launches and space exploration.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity to provide scholarships for this event
• Link to the sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Opportunity to provide judges for this competition
• Recognition during the FRC Closing Session

NSBE Lifestyle: Professional Development \\ $1,000

This is a part of the NSBE Lifestyle Series. The Professional Development workshop will focus on continuing our collegiate members’ professional development through resume workshops and interview preparations. Presenters will also have the opportunity to provide information to graduating seniors who are transitioning into full-time employment and offer tips about how to navigate that journey.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Link to the sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Opportunity to enhance students’ interview skills during the interaction

NSBE Lifestyle: Financial Literacy \\ $1,000

This event will give members the opportunity to learn how money works in the “real world.” The workshop presenters will provide details about how people manage the money they make and will give concrete examples of how attendees can strengthen/grow their financial portfolios.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Recognition as the NSBE Region V partner for financial literacy
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Contract Negotiations 101 \\ $1,000

The sponsoring organization for this event will offer insight to graduating seniors who are about to step into the professional world, about how to negotiate their contract offers correctly.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Recognition as the NSBE Region V partner for contract negotiations
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Personal Etiquette \\ $1,000

Partnering organizations will offer our members insight into etiquette within the professional world: greetings, emails and other elements of professional etiquette they should know.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Recognition as the NSBE Region V partner for personal etiquette
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Case Study Workshop \\ $1,000

This session is a part of Region V’s effort to increase members’ awareness of different industries. This presentation will inform members about careers in consulting as well as what case studies are and the basics of how to complete one effectively.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Link to the sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Opportunity to enhance students’ case study skills during the interaction

TORCH Fest \\ $1,000

NSBE Technical OutReach and Community Help (TORCH) is a community service initiative with the aim of using NSBE members’ technical backgrounds to positively impact the community. TORCH Fest will offer a series of workshops for our pre-collegiate members to give them the skills needed to ensure their success.

Benefits include:

• Link to the sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Opportunity to build brand awareness of the sponsoring organization
• Recognition via NSBE Region V social media outlets

Technical Research Exhibition \\ $1,000

The Technical Research Exhibition (TRE) is a competition designed to showcase NSBE members’ skills in technical writing, theoretical research and oral presentation. TRE provides an opportunity for NSBE members to present on a variety of topics, including projects done at school, at work or on their personal time. TRE is held during the FRC and the Annual Convention and is judged by technical professionals.

Benefits include:

• Link to sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Recognition at the FRC Closing Session
• Opportunity to provide two (2) judges for competition

Academic Technical Bowl \\ $1,000

The objective of the Academic Technical Bowl is to encourage and showcase academic excellence and understanding of the fundamental principles of engineering covered in senior engineering standardized tests such as the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) or Fundamentals of Surveying Exam (FS). Each team consists of four (4) members and one alternate, who represent their NSBE chapter.

Benefits include:

• Link to sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Recognition at the FRC Closing Session
• Opportunity to provide two (2) facilitators for this competition

FRC Elevator Pitch Competition \\ $1,000

Participants make “a succinct and persuasive sales pitch,” as on the ABC TV show Shark Tank. Members are encouraged to participate in the Elevator Pitch Competition to demonstrate their skills while learning how to structure a business plan effectively. Judges will critique business plans using a set of standard criteria, and awards will be given to first, second and third place participants. Region V is open to new ideas from sponsors of this new event.

Benefits include:

• Naming privileges for NSBE Elevator Pitch 2.0 (i.e., “NSBE Elevator Pitch 2.0 sponsored by...”)
• Opportunity to place representatives on the judging panel
• Opportunity to provide prizes to winner
• Recognition via NSBE Region V social media outlets (Instagram and Twitter)
• Logo and web link on the NSBE Region V website

NSBE Hack-A-Thon \\ $1,000

Teams will compete against each other, and their performances will be judged for creativity, style and strategy. This event will be a coding competition that tests NSBE members’ skills in debugging and in creating codes. The winning team will receive an award.

Benefits include:

• Naming privileges as official sponsor of event
• Opportunity to provide judges for the events, network with participants and observe the communication skills of the membership
• Opportunity to provide two (2) facilitators for this competition
• Opportunity to provide prizes to winner
• Recognition in NSBE Region V social media outlets (Instagram and Twitter)

NSBE Debators \\ $1,000

Teams will compete against each other, and their performances will be judged by content, style and strategy. The winning team will receive an award. The purpose of the event is to train and educate participants about matters of concern to society while advocating an effective method of resolving them.

Benefits include:

• Naming privileges as official sponsor of event
• Opportunity to provide judges for the events, network with participants and observe the communication skills of the membership
• Opportunity to provide two (2) facilitators for the competition
• Opportunity to provide prizes to winner
• Recognition via NSBE Region V social media outlets (Instagram and Twitter)

Are You Smarter Than a NSBE Jr.? \\ $1,000

We invite you to help encourage our region’s pre-collegiate membership through this competition. Participants will come from all of our membership levels (NSBE Jr. through NSBE Professionals).

Benefits include:

• Link to sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Recognition at the FRC Closing Session
• Opportunity to provide judges for this competition

Paint Therapy \\ $250 + Supplies

An opportunity for FRC attendees to destress and tap into their creative side during the conference. A calming environment with music, refreshments and expressiveness.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity to display a banner during the event
• Opportunity to provide a stress-free space for engineers

Vanguard Fellowship \\ $1,000

We invite you to help our region’s membership through this professional-building workshop Region V launched last year. Participants across all of our membership levels (NSBE Jr. through NSBE Professionals) are invited to the program. This is an FRC program set a day before the Career Fair to help membership prepare to interact with employers and help them secure internships and full-time positions. “How to navigate a Career Fair!”

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Recognition as an exemplar of positive workplace relations
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Entrepreneurship Workshop \\ $1,000

A sponsoring organization that specializes in entrepreneurship will host a workshop for NSBE Region V members who want to start their own businesses. The session will offer insight into navigating the entrepreneurship world.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Recognition as an exemplar of positive workplace relations
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Orange Table Talks \\ $100

We invite you to discuss social issues with the membership of Region V. This is an informal event to foster the NSBE family bond and is a great chance to network with future employment prospects who are interested in more than just engineering.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity for company Employee Resource Groups to engage in social conversations
• Access to well-rounded NSBE members
• Opportunity to give prizes to NSBE Region V members
• Recognition via NSBE Region V social media outlets (Instagram and Twitter)

Innovations Lab \\ $1,500

K–12 students will have the opportunity to learn new skills and improve their ability to “think outside of the box” through various innovation stations. Students will have an opportunity to participate in science experiments and demonstrations to learn engineering concepts.

Benefits include:

• Access to the top innovators in Region V
• Access to resumes of students who participate
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Certification Event(s) \\ $1,500

This session will have companies offer and facilitate their certification courses, most likely throughout the span of a day.

Benefits include:

• Meeting space provided to host event
• Access to resumes of students who participate
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

A Walk for Education \\ $2,000

The goal of the A Walk for Education (AWFE) program is to increase awareness of the opportunities available through education, particularly in STEM fields, and to shatter myths and preconceived notions about minority youth in underserved areas.

Benefits include:

• Logo on the conference bags given to all attendees
• Positive marketing in areas where your brand may be underexposed
• Recognition as an AWFE supporter on the Region V website
• Acknowledgement in all AWFE regional communications for the year
• Opportunity to design the apparel for the event, including the placement of your organization’s logo

GRE Workshop \\ $800

The GRE Workshop is designed to provide attendees with information about the GRE and give a brief overview of the graduate school admissions process. The workshop will also include an interactive review. GRE preparatory materials will be given out as well. The sponsor will have access to Region V’s graduating seniors and other upperclassmen interested in pursuing graduate studies

NSBE Jr. Events

NSBE Jr. Escape Room \\ $500

The “escape room” created for this event will promote analytical/critical thinking skills and force students to use the vital skill of teamwork to escape.

NSBE Kid Zone \\ $1,000

NSBE Kid Zone provides opportunities for children to be exposed to engineering despite being too young for NSBE Jr. conference activities. Children in kindergarten through grade 5 will apply basic engineering principles rooted in science, technology and mathematics to design projects and apply technical problem-solving skills in games and competitions. These activities will aid in increasing the children’s interest in STEM-related fields and activities, thus helping develop future generations of engineers. Funds will cover the cost of materials.

Benefits include:

• Positive exposure and increased branding among young participants
• Opportunity to advertise with banners at the event

Engineering Disciplines Workshops \\ $1,000

These workshops are dedicated to introducing various key engineering concepts early to NSBE Jr. members. The sessions will help familiarize students so they are prepared for such topics such as Intro to CAD/3D Printing and Intro to Coding once they get to college.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the event
• Recognition for support of academic excellence
• Opportunity to provide souvenirs to workshop attendees

Pre-College Initiative ACT/SAT Workshop \\ $2,000

This workshop will give our younger members fundamental study techniques and test-taking tips to earn high scores on these examinations. Information will be provided to students about where to get sample tests and other materials to help them prepare.

NSBE Jr. Science Fair \\ $800

This is a science exhibition for NSBE Jr. members in the style of NSBE’s Technical Research Exhibition. Prizes will go to the first, second and third place and viewer’s choice winners at FRC. This event seeks to serve as a catalyst for the passion that will drive young engineering students to be successful in their collegiate years.

Benefits include:

• Positive exposure and increased branding among young participants
• Opportunity to advertise with banners at the event

Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Competitions \\ $3,500

The PCI Competitions are designed to encourage early interest in STEM among K–12 students, by engaging students in hands-on activities that push their minds while having fun. Activities include an application Hackathon and Beyblade competition.

NSBE Jr. Chess Club \\ $500

This event presents a chess club dedicated to the NSBE family to help spark interest in a timeless game. Participation will help promote inclusivity and early critical thinking/analytical skills.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity to brand merchandise towards the chess club
• Access to the top innovators in Region V
• Opportunity to advertise with banners at the events

NSBE Gaming \\ $500

This gaming club dedicated to the NSBE family will promote inclusivity for all NSBE gamers.

Benefits include:

• Access to the top innovators in Region V
• Opportunity to bridge the gap between NSBE Jr. and collegiate NSBE chapters
• Opportunity to advertise with banners at the events

NSBE Jr. Executive Board \\ $5,000

This board provides a platform to increase the leadership opportunities for NSBE Jr. members. The board will be operated by NSBE Jr. students under the advisement of collegiate and technical professional NSBE members. The Executive Board is responsible for the Regional Try-Math-A-Lon (TMAL) competition, in which students across the region solve math and engineering challenges meant to enhance their critical-thinking skills and their performance on standardized tests. This session will provide young students with early exposure to a strong leadership experience. Funds will cover costs for NSBE members to register for and travel to the conference.

Benefits include:

• Recognition as the official sponsor of the board
• Opportunity to maintain a presence with NSBE Jr. chapters
• Opportunity to enhance branding and increase positive exposure to young students

Fall Regional Conference (FRC) - Awards/Scholarships

Regional Awards \\ $2,000

Regional awards are presented to honor collegiate chapters and members for academic excellence, high achievement in regional competitions, fulfillment of NSBE’s mission and meeting the objectives of Region V.

Benefits include:

• Link to sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Recognition at the FRC Closing Session
• Naming privileges for awards

Environmental Awareness Scholarship \\ $1,000 ($500 each)

The Environmental awareness scholarship will give participants an opportunity to express their options and new ideas on how to make the environment better. Questions will be formatted so students can express their ideas about how college campuses could promote a cleaner environment by discussing topics such as recycling and global warming and how they will affect future generations. Students’ ideas can be implemented at multiple college campuses.

NSBE LGBTQ+ Scholarship \\ $2,000 ($500 each)

The LGBTQ+ scholarship will give NSBE members from underrepresented groups an opportunity to further their education. This new scholarship of $500 per person for four (4) recipients will promote inclusivity, which is an essential element of NSBE’s overall goal. This scholarship will show the LGBTQ+ community they are welcomed and supported in NSBE, and it will assist in expanding important demographics of the membership to contribute to Region V’s mission.

Benefits include:

• Link to sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Recognition at the FRC Closing Session
• Opportunity to provide two (2) judges for this competition

NSBE Jr. Scholarships- Graduating Seniors \\ $1,000 ($500 each)

One of the primary objectives of NSBE’s Pre-Collegiate Initiative (PCI) program is to encourage students in grades 3–12 to pursue degrees in engineering and other technical fields. This scholarship is awarded to NSBE Jr. members in middle school or high school who have excelled academically and expressed an interest in pursuing a career in engineering or related fields. As part of our membership drive, it also enables us to retain former NSBE Jr. members when they go to college, while providing a much-needed service to students in need of financial aid.

Benefits include:

• Link to sponsor’s website posted on the NSBE Region V website
• Recognition of the sponsor in the scholarship letter and on the NSBE Region V website as the official sponsor of this scholarship

How to Partner With NSBE Region V

Submit Your Commitment Today!

Partnerships/sponsorships will not be recognized or invoiced until the NSBE Commitment Form has been completed. Should your organization have a contract to be reviewed, please submit this to the NSBE Commitment Form as well. If you have any trouble completing the form, please email national_partnerships@nsbe.org or reach out to your NSBE planning contact.

Please fill out the commitment form here!

Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policies

ALL payments must be received no later than Oct. 19, 2022. Invoices that remain unpaid after Oct. 19, 2022 will be subject to having their associated sponsorship forfeited. ANY outstanding invoice(s) after this date will prohibit entrance to the career fair and/or college fair/graduate school fair floor(s). Additional items purchased after Oct. 19, 2022 are due upon receipt and will require a credit card payment only. NOTE: No other form of payment will be honored after this date (with the exception of forms mailed in along with a check with prior approval).

• A 10% late fee will be assessed on all payments made after Oct. 19, 2022.
• A 25% cancellation fee will be applied for any sponsorship cancellations after Oct. 27, 2022. This includes paid and unpaid invoices.
• There will be NO refunds after Oct. 27, 2022.

Questions about payments should be submitted to accounting@nsbe.org.