General Guidelines for Full Membership

• The membership of the Mid-South Minority Business Council consists of corporations, other business entities and minority and women business enterprises. These corporations and organizations may be represented by one or more individuals responsible for purchasing goods and services for said corporation, a minority business enterprise (MBE) or a woman business enterprise (WBE).
• The membership of the Mid-South Minority Business Council will be limited to those corporations or businesses entities, which are committed to purchasing goods and/or services from minority suppliers, and provide a fair and impartial environment for conducting such business.
• Corporations interested in membership in the Mid-South Minority Business Council may attend meetings in a non-voting capacity without obligation of any kind. Attendance is limited to three meetings at which time membership would be required.
• Minority and women business enterprise members must be certified, bona fide MBE/WBEs.

The following criteria will apply to corporations and other business entities that are members of the Mid-South Minority Business Council:

• Pay annual dues as set by the Board of Directors.
• Report to the MMBC its dollar volume of purchases from minority suppliers of goods and services. Such figures will be regarded as confidential with only aggregate figures being reported by the MMBC.
• Designate a representative to attend no less than 75% of the membership meetings. Alternate representatives may be designated when the named representative is unable to attend.
• Be entitled to vote at membership meetings. Each full member is entitled to one vote.
• Show a willingness to serve on committees of the MMBC and support and assist in other activities as requested.
• Participate in the opportunity fair, matchmakers, seminars and training programs sponsored by the MMBC.
• Exchange relevant information with other members concerning programs and minority sources.

Termination of Membership

Any member may voluntarily withdraw from membership in the MMBC by written notice addressed and mailed to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Services Provided to Members

• The Mid-South Minority Business Council Minority Business Directory (Corporate only).
• On-Line access to the M/WBE business directory (Corporate only).
• On-Line access to the Corporate Buyer's Guide (M/WBE Gold Members only).
• E-newsletter.
• Distribution of buyer training programs designed to sensitize buyers to problems experienced by minority business owners. These programs may take the form of slides and videos.
• Provide effective forums for bringing buyers and suppliers together for one-on-one business discussions.
• Increase the effectiveness of member company's personnel involved in the use and development of minority suppliers through Minority Supplier Utilization Seminars.
• Enhance the ability of representatives of minority owned firms to make successful sales through intensive Sales & Marketing Seminars and certificate programs such as the Memphis Business Academy.
• Provide opportunities for majority companies to partner with minority and women companies.
• Provide on-going networking events to stimulate and encourage positive relationships between buyers and sellers.
• Provide an opportunity to participate in the annual Economic Development Fair to spotlight advances in minority economic development and to promote the interaction between corporate decision makers and minority and women suppliers.

Benefits to the Corporate and Public Sector Institution Members

• Formal certification of suppliers to insure the validity of minority and women ownership.
• Publication of a certified business directory for corporate buyers to identify minority and women suppliers/contractors.
• On-line certified business profiles.
• Buyers-Sellers Networking Events where minority businesses and corporations connect to build relationships, match needs with capabilities, product and services.
• Assistance in establishing and improving corporate MBE programs.
• Forums, which provide for peer group information exchange on MBE programs, issues, and current legislation affecting business.
• Economic Development Fair, a trade show that promotes interaction between minority and women suppliers and corporate buyers.
• Ability to distribute bid information to certified MWBEs.
• Business Partnering Program that matches minority business executives with corporate executives.
• Information Servies E-News that informs members of Council's activities, indurstry and purchasing trends and buying information, while providing local and national exposure.

Benefits to the Minority/Woman Supplier

• Publication of a Buyers Guide a listing of corporate buyers and the product and/or service they procure.
• Marketing Assistance.
• Management and technical assistance programs, seminars and workshops.
• Opportunity to participate in the Economic Development Fair, a community forum that brings the community together to address minority economic development efforts.
• Direct and meaningful access to corporate buyers.
• Listing in the Minority Business Directory (must be certified).
• A calendar of events to inform suppliers of new programs and to increase knowledge of significant purchasing trends and events.
• Opportunity to participate in the Business Partnering Program.
• Opportunity to participate in the Memphis Business Academy..
• Utilization of the programs implemented in the Technical Assistance and Developmental Pool.

*   The Uniform Certification Agency is a division of Mid-South Minority Business Council (MMBC).   Members certified through UCA remain members of UCA with limited services of which are certification and re-certification, an assigned specialist and a company profile listing in the UCA Directory.  All UCA Members have the opportunity to become members of MMBC through Gold Membership where they will receive the value added services associated with the Gold Membership program (see MMBC Gold Member).  For more information on becoming about MMBC please contact your assigned Specialist or call (901) 525-6512.