What You Should Know About the Diversity Institute

The International Franchise Association's Educational Foundation's Board of Trustees approved plans for the establishment of the Diversity Institute in February 2005 during the IFA annual convention in Hollywood, Fla. The purpose of the Diversity Institute is to expand the diversity initiatives of

IFA and the Educational Foundation. The mission is two-fold: promote and foster diversity and inclusion within IFA and the franchising community and build awareness of franchising within minority communities and to increase the number of minority franchisees, franchisors and suppliers.

The institute is the home for all minority-diversity programming which includes the MinorityFran program, education, research and relationship cultivation with other national organizations.

MinorityFran Celebrates Two Years

In February, the institute's board voted to restructure the MinorityFran program as it celebrated its second anniversary. The MinorityFran program now includes minimum standards for participation. These changes will strengthen the program and put it more in line with IFA's Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative. Current members will be given an opportunity to renew their MinorityFran membership by completing a re-enrollment form and complying with the criteria. After the established deadline, those who have not re-enrolled will be dropped from the MinorityFran membership roster. New IFA members wishing to participate in MinorityFran will be invited to join the program by completing the enrollment form.

To be approved to participate in MinorityFran, all members must agree to the minimum standards outlined below, showing evidence of such and meet four out of the six standards:

* Provide special incentives and or special financial assistance programs to qualified minority candidates. Members are encouraged to speak with their legal counsel to amend their Uniform Franchise Offering Circular-Franchise Disclosure Document to reflect participation.

* Participate in at least two "Franchise Opportunities for Women, Minorities and Veterans Seminars" held in major cities across the country.

* Develop special internal programs to recruit women and minorities to show evidence of a program and provide brief description, for example, name an internal staff coordinator for MinorityFran/diversity-related efforts.