CLIENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a new client of the Benedict College Women’s Business Center (BCWBC) and other resource partners of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), we would like to advise you of certain rights and responsibilities you have as one of our clients:
You have a right to expect:
1. Prompt, courteous, and professional counseling services and to be advised if the BCWBC is unable to provide service within the time frame required. Be aware that due to the demand for our services, cases must often be prioritized by need and training may be recommended before counseling is provided.
2. All information shared with the BCWBC and any of its resources (staff, faculty, volunteers, and consultants) will be held in strictest confidence. No information provided by you will be used to the commercial advantage of any staff member, consultant, or other resource of the BCWBC or to the benefit of any third party.
3. That your client status with the BCWBC will remain confidential. No public use of your name, address, or business identity will be made without your prior approval. Please note, however, that the BCWBC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and so, limited information with respect to your client status is provided to that entitity.
Our role is to counsel and assist small business owners and those planning to go into business. We will not make business decisions or judgments for you, though we will make recommendations and suggestions as appropriate. These will be based upon our best efforts to apply the experience and resources available to us to assist you in making your own business decisions.
The BCWBC may charge reasonable fees for training programs, special services, and publications. However, you have a right to feel secure that no fee will be charged by the BCWBC or its resources for normal counseling services provided to you. Also, no recommendations will be made as to the purchase of goods or services from any individual or firm with whom any BCWBC staff or its resources have any financial, familial or personal interest.
The counseling services provided to you are a part of the effort of the BCWBC and its sponsors to respond to the growing needs of the small business community and to positively affect the economy of Columbia, South Carolina. They are not intended to compete with, replace, or be a substitute for services available from the private sector. Clients whose needs can be fully met by private sector practitioners or firms in an affordable manner will be encouraged to use those resources.
In consideration of the BCWBC furnishing you with management and technical assistance, you agree to waive all claims against the BCWBC and its constituent institutions, its staff, or any other resources employed by or used in connection with these services. You will also be expected to cooperate with the BCWBC in its efforts to assure the quality and effectiveness of the counseling services it provides.
-In this respect, the BCWBC may ask all clients who receive counseling assistance to complete an evaluation of the services provided. In addition, all clients will be asked to complete an Economic Impact Verification form that documents the assistance provided by the BCWBC. Finally, clients may receive direct inquiries from this office, the State Director’s office or the U.S. Small Business Administration with respect to the services provided to you. Your response to all of these inquiries will be greatly appreciated.
REQUEST FOR CONSULTATION
I request business consultation service from the Small Business Administration (SBA), and/or their resources partners at the Benedict College Women’s Business Center (BCWBC). I agree to cooperate should I be selected to participate in surveys designed to evaluate SBA products and services. I permit the BCWBC, and thereby the SBA, the use of my name, business address and email address for surveys and information mailings regarding products and services. I understand that any information disclosed will be held in strict confidence and will not be provided to commercial entities. I authorize the BCWBC to furnish relevant information to the assigned management counselor(s). I further understand that the counselor(s) agrees not to: 1) recommend goods or services from sources in which he/she has an interest, and 2) accept fees or commissions developing from this counseling relationship. In consideration of the counselor(s) furnishing management or technical assistance, I waive all claims against BCWBC personnel and that of their resource partners and host organizations, arising from this assistance.