GOLDEN TRIANGLE MINORITY BUSINES COUNCIL COMMITTED TO BETTER BUSINESS Better business is a major goal of every business person. When there's better business, and the opportunity for all businesses to achieve their full potential, everyone wins - our local community, our state, and our nation. The Golden Triangle Minority Business Council is committed to the goal of better business in the Golden Triangle area. our job is to insure that well-managed minority-owned companies are given the opportunity to succeed in the business world...the job of minority-owned firms in our program is to turn that opportunity into business success. HOW DOES IT HELP? Communication is often a factor in bringing corporate and minority businesses together and the council serves to bridge this gap. The Council works to bring about the development of a sound economic base within the minority business community, and to provide corporate members with an expanded base of qualified, competitive suppliers. Being a member of the Council is good for your business because a sound minority purchasing program increases quality as well as the quantity of your organization's suppliers. Both the local and state economies are benefitted because increased purchasing power results from increased employment in the minority sector. The Council also provides minority-owned firms with new potential markets and the opportunities for business experiences needed for development and growth. WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? Certification is another area in which the Council helps minority and corporate businesses. Why certification is important It helps to weed out false front operations taking advantage of loopholes in the law. It eliminates the need to have your buyers screen suppliers to determine minority ownership and control. It complies with federal regulations which require the provision of subcontracting opportunity for minority-owned businesses under executive orders and public law. The certification process itself requires a thorough investigation of company operations including but not limited to:   bylaws charter   certificates   annual sales volume   business references   numbers of employees   licenses/authorities. The decision to certify a supplier is based upon compliance with the SBA's criteria for a qualified minority/SDB-owned business. Minority-owned business is one not less than 51% owned and operated by a U.S. citizen; the minority owner must be active in both management and daily business operation and additionally, must belong to one of the following minority groups:   Black Americans   Hispanic Americans   Native American Indians   American Eskimos-Aleuts   Asian-Pacific Americans   Asian-Indian Americans Rejection of a supplier does not necessarily mean the business is not minority-owned and controlled; it may simply mean that the applicant has failed to meet the Council's registration criteria as established by the board of directors. MEMBERSHIP Corporations and governmental agencies which support the mission of the Council and have active minority purchasing programs are full members. A principal representative is appointed by the member organization to act in connection with Council activities. Full members have full voting rights in the Council. Traditionally, the appointed representatives are members of the organization's purchasing department. However, any employee of a full member may attend functions.