Article II of the NASSMC bylaws deals with criteria for membership. In particular, section I.C.3 of the current bylaws (which is section II.D.2.b in the revised bylaws now under consideration) states:
The state coalitions must have a formal governing body with distributed representation from each of four sectors: the public policy and government sector, the private industry and commerce sector, the education sector, and the community sector (such as museums, publicly-supported radio and television stations, social groups, and other organizations of citizens with a concern for the purpose of a state coalition).
In its publications and work, NASSMC often refers to business-education-policy coalitions. In fact, however, the boards of NASSMC member coalitions strive for balanced membership from among four basic constituencies (or stakeholder groups); the fourth group of leaders (community) requiring some definition in order to avoid confusing "community leaders" with "local leaders." Reports of the National Science Foundation systemic initiatives also suggest that partnerships comprising leaders from all four groups are necessary to implementing systemic change.
In practice, a board member may fall into more than one category, but it is usually possible to identify a primary affiliation.