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National Advisory Council Please choose a question and select or press the enter key to reveal/hide the answer. To view both question and answers in this area follow this link. 1. What is the National Advisory Council? The National Advisory Council (NAC) of the U.S. Small Business Administration was established in October 1965. It is a group of appointed volunteers who partner with the SBA to support its mission to—Maintain and strengthen the Nation’s economy by aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from natural disasters. NAC members provide expert advice, ideas and opinions on SBA programs and small business issues. They provide an essential connection between the SBA, SBA program participants, and the small business community. 2. Who are the Council’s members and how are they selected? Membership Structure ChairVice Chair 10 Regional Representatives The Chair, Vice Chair and 10 Regional Representatives comprise the NAC Executive Committee52 State Representatives, 1 from each state, 1 from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, 1 from the District of Columbia The remaining members are appointed based on small business populations in the 10 regions of the country, business sector or trade association affiliation, and the goal of attaining a balanced membership. The Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration appoints National Advisory Council members for two-year terms. They can be appointed to additional terms not to exceed three two-year terms. The Administrator also appoints, the Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the Executive Committee to two-year terms. Members generally represent a cross section of industries and entities with an interest in small business issues across the nation, including: business leaders, business owners, officials from trade associations and academic institutions devoted to the promotion of small business. In addition, the following individuals are eligible for membership:Employees of state or local government Holders of state or local elective public office Federal employees, other than SBA employees, if SBA’s Standards of Conduct Counselor, or his/her designee, gives prior written approval that no conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest exists Members may be applicants for or recipients of SBA assistance provided SBA’s Standards of Conduct Counselor, or his/her designee, gives prior written approval that no conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest exists. We require each member to attend personally each advisory council meeting, unless a personal emergency prevents attendance. We reserve the unrestricted right to replace any member who is unable to fully participate in the council meetings. We do not permit a substitute to represent a council member. A member must notify us immediately of any change in circumstances that could result in a conflict of interest, or appearance of a conflict of interest, with SBA. 3. Are there any ethical guidelines? Yes, the NAC institutes the following ethical guidelines: Members must not engage in conduct that calls into serious doubt their good character; While participating in official SBA activities, members must act ethically and avoid situations that create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest; While participating in official SBA activities, members must not act in a manner that is contrary to the best interest of the SBA; Members must make recommendations only to SBA officials. Member recommendations are only advisory and the SBA decides how to respond to recommendations; Members may obtain confidential information about the SBA or its customers and resource partners because of their membership on the National Advisory Council. Members must not disclose such information without permission; Members must not participate in, or make use of advisory council activities that directly affect their business or financial interests, unless the activities are available to the general public; Members must not use their status as a SBA advisory council member to get benefits that are not available to the general public; Members must not use their status as a SBA advisory council member to attempt to influence government officials at the Federal, state or local level; Members may not receive SBA assistance, other than Disaster Loans, without the prior written approval of the Standards of Conduct Counselor, or his/her designee, that no conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest exists; and With limited exceptions, members may not represent small businesses, state or local development companies, small business investment companies, or others regarding an application for SBA assistance. Exceptions to this policy include: a) an officer, director, or employee of a financial institution that participates in an SBA loan program, b) an attorney, accountant, appraiser, engineer, or similar professional, if the person does not regularly provide service to, or derive a large part of their income from providing a service to the SBA, or c) an educator whose institution of higher education participates in SBA’s business development programs. SBA has an unrestricted right to terminate membership before the end of a stated term. 4. How often does the NAC meet? The National Advisory Council meets up to two times a year. These meetings may be "open meetings" where the public may attend and participate, or they may be "closed meetings" where we restrict attendance to advisory council and SBA officials. The SBA Administrator, in consultation with the Chair, calls the meeting and sets the date, place, and agenda. 5. Do you get paid for serving on the advisory board? No, Members of the National Advisory Council serve without compensation. When members attend approved NAC meetings away from home or their regular place of business, SBA will reimburse them for travel expenses, including per diem instead of room and board, to the extent authorized by 5 U.S.C.A. § 5703 (persons employed intermittently in the Government service) and SOP 20 11 4 (Travel). SBA allows advisory council members to fly coach class only and each member must travel from, and return to, his/her city of residence. 6. Can someone with disabilities serve on the NAC? Yes, if requested the SBA will provide a personal assistant for a NAC member who is blind, deaf or qualifies as having a disability. The assistant will work with the member as he/she completes council duties. To qualify for such assistance the council member must: Qualify as handicapped under section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, and Not qualify for assistance as an agency employee under 5 U.S.C. § 3102 SBA Home Page | FAQ Home | Contact Us | Privacy
Please choose a question and select or press the enter key to reveal/hide the answer. To view both question and answers in this area follow this link.
The Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration appoints National Advisory Council members for two-year terms. They can be appointed to additional terms not to exceed three two-year terms. The Administrator also appoints, the Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the Executive Committee to two-year terms.
Members generally represent a cross section of industries and entities with an interest in small business issues across the nation, including: business leaders, business owners, officials from trade associations and academic institutions devoted to the promotion of small business. In addition, the following individuals are eligible for membership:
Members may be applicants for or recipients of SBA assistance provided SBA’s Standards of Conduct Counselor, or his/her designee, gives prior written approval that no conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest exists.
We require each member to attend personally each advisory council meeting, unless a personal emergency prevents attendance. We reserve the unrestricted right to replace any member who is unable to fully participate in the council meetings. We do not permit a substitute to represent a council member.
A member must notify us immediately of any change in circumstances that could result in a conflict of interest, or appearance of a conflict of interest, with SBA.
SBA has an unrestricted right to terminate membership before the end of a stated term.
SBA Home Page | FAQ Home | Contact Us | Privacy
