National Hispanic Business Association

By: Abraham Alvarez
Harvard University

The Eastern region is running well and has a lot of potential for establishing itself as an NHBA stronghold. The Eastern region is still a relatively new region and as such, one of the main challenges currently facing the region is establishing a solid foundation for each chapter in their respective schools. My belief is that this can be accomplished through increasing communication. Communication is key. By increasing communication between Nationals and chapter presidents, Nationals can offer guidance, advice, tips and materials to help presidents establish a strong foundation for their chapters. As such, I contacted each chapter directly in order to assess their situation and offered to coordinate conference calls with Nationals if need be.

With communication, issues become known, ideas flourish and problems are solved. I have taken it upon myself to increase communication in the region, not only between nationals and presidents/reps, but between local chapters within the region as well. As regional VP, I have tried to foster communication between the chapters by starting a regional email list composed of national reps and presidents from each of the Eastern Chapters. Along the same lines, I have also created a regional group webpage, accessible to chapter leaders, with important files and information, as well as an archive of the regional email list. It is my hope that as chapters begin to take advantage of these tools, communication will flourish in the region.

One of my main aims has also been to expand the number of NBA affiliated chapters in the region. As such, I have made it a point to attend local Latino conferences and spread the word about NHBA. In one instance, I was able to give a presentation during a major Latino Ivy League conference and generated a lot of interest and positive feedback from many different schools on starting their own NHBA chapters. We are currently working with these schools to see this interest come to fruition in the establishment of new NHBA chapters.

In summary, the Eastern region is doing very well, but still has many challenges ahead. The framework I am helping to establish should help foster communication, strengthen local chapters, provide a better sense of community within the region and reach out to other schools for expansion purposes. The best is yet to come!