What is the Social Sector Task Force Mentoring Program?
Social Sector Task Force Mentors share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with social sector franchisor management and franchisees. Areas of support social franchisors are seeking include:

• Franchise system management and development;
• Defining territories and working to achieve sustainable field support for franchisees;
• Consumer marketing;
• Training and manual development;
• Pricing strategies;
• Operations support to ensure that franchisor’s brand promise in areas like customer service, site environment, productivity, on‐site record keeping and reporting can be achieved;
• Legal input including defining compliance standards with a goal of minimizing fraud and the maintenance of brand standards;
• Financial services including working with social franchisors to establish initial and continual fees and teach financial management best practices to their franchisees;
• Business analytics and MIS to facilitate communication and information sharing throughout franchise systems and with consumers;
• Creating a sense of community among franchisees;
• Leveraging the social sector network for the benefit of franchisees including reduced cost of goods, pricing and marketing strategies, lobbying, etc.

As a mentor you will offer the following:

• Information: Mentors share their knowledge and experience in franchising with no financial benefit.
• Contacts: Mentors facilitate personal contacts in franchising.
• Ideas: Mentors support social franchising by presenting new ideas, perspectives and opportunities.
• Support: Mentors provide their proteges open and supportive exchange.

NOTE: The mentor relationship involves a minimum of a six-month commitment during which the mentor and protégé conduct once a month hour-long phone meetings. Mentors must be IFA members.

How can I become a mentor?
The International Franchise Association Social Sector Task Force believes that IFA members can provide meaningful and needed advisory assistance to the devoted efforts of social sector franchisors and franchisees to expand their reach and enhance the quality of their services. Though these social franchise systems often operate in uniquely challenging circumstances, the goal of creating franchise organizations that can consistently provide consumers a sustainable level of quality products and services is a common goal every franchisor shares. It is the principles of franchising management and the support provided to social franchisors and franchisees where the talents of commercial franchisors can have life changing and often life‐saving impact. To be eligible to become a mentor, you or your organization must be a member of the IFA.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, we encourage you to download and read the Mentorship Program Guidelines for Mentors & Application, which includes detailed guidelines and requirements.

Then contact either Josh Merin, IFA Vice President, International Affairs & Chief of Staff and Liaison to the Task Force, or Marla Rosner, MSA Worldwide, Senior Training Consultant and Task Force Manager, to discuss becoming a mentor.

How do I request a mentor?
If you would like the assistance of an IFA mentor, reach out to either Josh Merin, IFA Vice President, International Affairs & Chief of Staff and Liaison to the Task Force, or Marla Rosner, MSA Worldwide, Learning and Development Consultant and Task Force Manager.

We consider mentorship for existing social enterprises and NGOs that:

• Aspire to expand a tested social enterprise and are considering using franchising to do so;
  
• Serve underdeveloped or low-income populations by offering essential services such as healthcare, safe drinking water, sanitation, clean energy, and education;
  
• Provide entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in underdeveloped markets including concepts that may be developed into micro-franchises.