Client Rights and Responsibilities Agreement

We appreciate your interest in the Borderplex Community Capital business advising program. This agreement outlines the policies and procedures that govern your participation. Non-compliance with these policies may result in termination of your advising relationship with Borderplex Community Capital.

Both clients and Borderplex Community Capital business advisors are bound by the same policies and procedures outlined in this agreement.

Information Confidentiality

Borderplex Community Capital operates independently of the Public Information Act. Accordingly, we will not disclose any information about your business or the content of advising sessions to third parties without prior written consent from both you and your business advisor. This protection extends to all personal contact information and financial data.

Trade Secret Protection

Any proprietary trade secrets related to your business’s unique operations will remain protected and will not be used to benefit other Borderplex Community Capital clients or representatives. Trade secrets include non-obvious, confidential information about innovative processes, such as proprietary manufacturing procedures, formulas, or other novel business methods. You are responsible for identifying and documenting any such trade secrets to Borderplex Community Capital both verbally and in writing.

Intellectual Property and Documentation

Documents created during or resulting from advising sessions—including business plans, marketing strategies, market analyses, lending assessments, and financial projections—become shared property between you and Borderplex Community Capital. While these documents remain confidential and are used solely for program evaluation and improvement, any tools, templates, or resources created by Borderplex Community Capital or its advisors remain the exclusive property of Borderplex Community Capital. These materials may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed without written permission and proper attribution.

Borderplex Community Capital may also request access to your business documentation, including entity formation documents, tax identification, employment data, and financial statements, which will be treated with the same confidentiality standards.

Service Pricing

Borderplex Community Capital maintains the right to adjust advising service fees. Current clients will receive written notice at least 30 days before any price changes take effect.

Ethical Standards

All Borderplex Community Capital representatives and advisors are prohibited from recommending products or services from vendors with whom they have financial, family, or personal relationships.

Scope of Services

The business advising program operates under Borderplex Community Capital’s Technical Assistance initiative. Our role is to provide guidance, education, and recommendations to strengthen your business knowledge and skills. Implementation of any advice remains your sole responsibility and discretion. Please note that:

  • All recommendations are informational only and carry no performance guarantees
  • Advice is based on professional experience and industry knowledge
  • We do not act as your employees, negotiate on your behalf, write business plans, create financial documents, or guarantee funding
  • Third-party referrals (professional service providers, subject matter experts, or industry mentors) offer independent guidance that may involve fees
  • Views expressed by referral sources do not necessarily represent Borderplex Community Capital’s position

Service Control

You maintain the right to refuse, pause, or terminate services at any time by providing written notice with explanation to Borderplex Community Capital or your advisor. Similarly, Borderplex Community Capital reserves the right to refuse service to any participant, with written explanation provided.

Feedback Mechanisms

You may provide feedback through multiple channels: - Informal feedback: Verbal communications, program reviews, or digital correspondence - Formal feedback: Structured program evaluation surveys

Your input is welcome at any time throughout your participation.

Advisor Changes

If your assigned advisor is not an optimal match—whether due to industry expertise, communication style, personality differences, or conflicts of interest—you may request a different advisor at any time. Submit change requests in writing to Borderplex Community Capital or your current advisor.

Accessibility Acoommodations

You may request reasonable accommodations for your appointments, including:

  • Sign language interpretation
  • Language interpretation services
  • Telecommunication options

Note that accommodation services may incur additional charges. All accommodations and associated costs must be agreed upon before implementation. Please submit accommodation requests in writing at least 5 business days before your appointment.

Professional Boundaries

All advising sessions must remain focused on business matters within the program’s scope. Personal relationships with advisors are prohibited, and personal matters should not be discussed during sessions. You must disclose in writing any personal or financial relationships that develop with Borderplex Community Capital representatives. Such conflicts of interest may result in termination of the advising relationship.

Information Accuracy

Effective advising depends on accurate information. You are responsible for providing complete, truthful information about your business and business-related concerns to your advisor.

Program Evaluation Participation

As a program supported by private and public funding, we regularly assess service quality and impact. You will receive surveys following each session and upon program completion. Survey participation is mandatory—failure to complete requested evaluations will result in service suspension until surveys are submitted.

Progress Requirements

Each advising session establishes specific objectives to be completed by the next meeting or within an agreed timeframe. You must: - Make genuine efforts to complete assigned objectives - Communicate with your advisor if you need assistance - Demonstrate measurable progress between sessions Progress is evaluated after each session. Failure to make reasonable progress due to neglect of assigned objectives may result in service termination.

Appointment Scheduling

  • Advance Notice: Schedule appointments at least 3 business days in advance
  • Walk-ins: Will be scheduled for future appointments upon arrival
  • Booking Methods: Phone, email, scheduling applications, or at session conclusion
  • Response Time: Borderplex Community Capital will respond to appointment requests within 2 business days
  • Availability: Appointments depend on advisor availability and may involve wait times

Communication Requirements

You must notify Borderplex Community Capital or your advisor if you will be late, need to cancel, or must reschedule. Failure to communicate may result in service suspension or termination after 2 violations.

Punctuality Standards

  • Arrive on time for all appointments
  • Sessions may be cancelled if you arrive more than 15 minutes late
  • Consistent lateness (more than 2 occurrences) may result in service termination

Cancellation and Rescheduling Protocol

  • Provide 24-hour notice when possible, for cancellations or rescheduling
  • Rescheduled appointments restart the 3-business-day scheduling requirement
  • No-shows without notice will result in service termination after 2 occurrences
  • Exceptions considered for extenuating circumstances on case-by-case basis

Health and Safety Requirements

If you are ill, you must: - Notify your advisor of illness - Not attend in-person sessions with fever, illness, or medical diagnosis - Wait 14 days after symptom resolution before returning to in-person sessions - Inform Borderplex Community Capital if you were ill during a recent in-person session - Utilize telecommunication options during illness recovery

Meeting Locations

  • Default Location: Borderplex Community Capital offices
  • Alternative Locations: Must be requested in writing and approved by advisor
  • Prohibited Locations: Public spaces (confidentiality concerns) and private homes
  • Client Business Location: Permitted if private space is available; client assumes responsibility for suitable environment
  • Advisor Rights: May cancel or reschedule if location compromises confidentiality

Virtual Services

You may receive services via: - Phone consultations - Video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, or similar platforms)

Post-Session Support

Following each session, your advisor may provide: - Session recaps with goals, objectives, and assignments - Resource information - Referral connections - Document reviews (business plans, financials) - Allow up to 7 business days for follow-up delivery. Specific follow-up actions will be agreed upon during your session.

Program Structure

  • Session Length: Standard 1-hour duration
  • Extensions: Must be arranged in advance with mutual agreement
  • Initial Allocation: 6 hours total (typically 6 one-hour sessions)
  • Progress Review: Conducted after initial 6 hours
  • Extension Eligibility: Based on demonstrated progress
  • Denial Process: Written notification with referrals to alternative services

Liability Waiver and Responsibility Acknowledgement

By participating in this program, you acknowledge that:

  • You bear ultimate responsibility for your business’s success or failure
  • All business decisions and plan implementation remain your sole responsibility
  • You waive all claims for damages against Borderplex Community Capital, its representatives, and affiliated mentors, professional service providers, or subject matter experts
  • This waiver applies to all advice and information provided through the program

By participating in the Borderplex Community Capital Business Advising Program, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with all policies and procedures set forth in this Agreement.