Purpose of the SV SBDC Advisory Council

  • To share news, challenges, and successes of the SV SBDC with business resources within our service community.
  • To solicit information and feedback from those resources in order to best serve their needs and the needs of our clients.
  • To enable targeted networking that enhances the ability of the resources to understand and support the business community and the SV SBDC.

Benefits of the Council to the SV SBDC

  • Service to our Clients

✔️Volunteer Advising for clients by appointment for 3-10 hours per month.

Ex: “Banker on Call” – assistance on loan options or preparation, financial management, cash flow projections, etc.

✔️Enhanced Services to members’ customers / SBDC clients based on knowledge of small business challenges and goals. 

  • Service to our SBDC Team

✔️Professional Development sessions for other Partners and the SBDC team to learn more about a specific industry and the services offered.

Ex: “Bookkeeping Best Practices” – policies and procedures to successfully manage or delegate front office duties.

✔️Collaboration with Team on workshops for our clients, with emphasis on meeting the needs of diverse small businesses and owners.

Ex: “Financial Statements – What and Why?” – Reading and understanding the story that your Balance Sheet and P&L tells about your business.


Council Meeting Format – In-person in SBDC offices, 220 University Blvd.

  • Quarterly Business Meetings (required; sponsored or “Dutch” Lunch or Breakfast included)
    • Welcome & Introductions
    • Latest SBDC News & Success Stories w/ invited Client
    • Updates from Advisory Council Members
    • Guest Speaker or Program by Advisory Council Members or SBDC Team
    • Networking Time (at Opening or Closing)
  • Monthly Networking Meetings (optional; for Council Members (or their alternates) and Investors.
    • Held at times of member preferences.
    • Focused on Networking, Professional Development, and Feedback to the SV SBDC.
    • Various Formats – Formal Presentations, Roundtable Discussions, Special Guest Speaker,
      Q&A
      on special topic(s), Problem Solving, or Brainstorming on SBDC Programs or other needs.
    • At least 20 minutes Networking Time

Investor in the SV SBDC

  • Initial Council Investors will be invited from four community business resources: Commercial Bankers, Insurance Agents, Accountants, and Business Attorneys.
  • Our goal is to have three active representatives from each industry segment, or a total of 12 Investors each year.
  • Within 3 years we intend to have a rotating term of 2 years so that each year approximately half the investors either rotate off (and new members come aboard) or the member renews for another 2 years.
  • Investors provide funding to the SV SBDC at their preferred level with the goal of enhancing SBDC services to the small business community and are participating members of the Advisory Council.

Investment Levels 

  Small Business Champion Small Business Partner Small Business Associate
Recognition on the SV SBDC Website Investor Page with Business Name, Logo, and Contact Information. ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Client Introductions.  Business cards and other materials displayed in SBDC offices. ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Welcome to attend Monthly and Quarterly Council Meetings*

Networking time at Council Meetings offers connections to other Investors and the SV SBDC Team with opportunities to contribute collective industry wisdom to the SBDC program.

✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Opportunities* to present at Advisory Council Meetings, SBDC-Hosted Events, and specific topical workshops. ✔️ ✔️  
Acknowledgement online and in SBDC marketing collateral (for certain programs, events, or publications) including social media platforms. ✔️    
     
Investment/Contribution Levels $5,000 $2,500 $1,200

*For Investors from the Banking community, the meetings and presentation options provide Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Credits.

Contact Information:

Barry L. Henderson                                        Allison Dugan
Business Advisor                                             Assistant Director and Business Advisor
Hende2bl@jmu.edu                                        duganaj@jmu.edu