May 15, 2006 Edition

Scholarships Now Available!

Ken D'Angelo Foundation prepares to award its first scholarships The Ken D’Angelo Foundation, which grants scholarships to students pursuing an accredited college degree and career in franchising, real estate or entrepreneurship, is seeking applications from qualified applicants through June 15. Franchisees are requested to “spread the word” to promote the available scholarships. Your children, relatives, friends, etc., are eligible for a scholarship. Students can download an application at kendangelofoundation.com. “The Foundation would like each franchise office to take an active role in identifying potential applicants for the scholarships,” said Jeff Burrell, president of the Foundation and part-owner of the HomeVestors TRED Properties franchise in Houston. “Nominations for the scholarships may be made anytime between January 1 and June 15 of any given year. We will award the first ever scholarships this summer. Scholarships will be granted in various dollar increments. The Foundation's Board of Directors will determine the number of scholarships to be awarded this year.” Contributions by franchisees to the Ken D’Angelo Foundation are always appreciated. Several franchisees have agreed to donate money to the Foundation for each house they sell during the year. Checks and credit cards are accepted! In addition to the scholarships, the Foundation donated $10,000 in 2005 to the Mayo Clinic Foundation, with funds earmarked for bile duct cancer research. Ken D'Angelo's life was claimed by bile duct cancer. . . . For more information about the scholarships or the Foundation, please contact Vonda Mathews at the Ken D’Angelo Foundation/ HomeVestors of America at 972-761-0046.

Team HVA Lends A Helping Hand

Rebuilding homes, communities and lives By Scott Bowling Team HVA takes a break from rebuilding to smile for the camera. HomeVestors' corporate staff members and franchisees joined other organizations and volunteers on April 29 in Dallas, TX to participate in Rebuilding Together’s National Rebuild Day. HomeVestors' personnel teamed up with Freddie Mac volunteers to help scrape, paint, and landscape the home of Faye Freeman of Dallas, who was one of 11 families that Rebuilding Together of Greater Dallas selected for the National Rebuild Day. While the workers dodged intermittent thunderstorms, Ms. Freeman was elated at the much needed home rehab. “I am so happy you all are here to help me,” she said. “My home looks beautiful again.” Because of HVA’s involvement, some of the HomeVestors volunteers were able to assist with a second house that was short on volunteers. As a result, two houses were finished. HomeVestors' volunteers included: Chas Carrier, Carrier Home Solutions, and HomeVestors' corporate team members: CEO Dr. John Hayes and his son, John; VP Team Development Ken Channell and his son, Matt; VP Marketing Mark Hagen; Director of Franchise Development, Jason Killough; newly promoted Director of Finance, John Bachmann; Regional Marketing Manager, Mary Frank; and Manger of Business Development, Scott Bowling. HomeVestors announced its corporate sponsorship of Rebuilding Together at the 9th annual convention last December in Denver, CO. Rebuilding Together is a non-profit home repair and renovation program serving low-income, elderly homeowners, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. Rebuilding Together is supported by contributions from corporations and local community programs. All repairs and home modifications are completed free of charge to the homeowner. The primary goal is to keep individuals living in a warm, safe and dry environment. Rebuilding Together of Greater Dallas is an affiliate of the Rebuilding Together national organization based in Washington D.C. . . . If you would like to become involved in a National Rebuild Day, or if you would like to share your community project ideas or involvement, please contact Scott Bowling at 972-761-0046, ext. 204.

BBB Recognizes Franchisee

HVA systems and standards credited By Gregg Stengel Charles and Monya Rutland, PRG Realty, build credibility for HomeVestors with the BBB. Charles and Monya Rutland of PRG Realty recently opened their new office in Macon, GA, amidst community fan fare and media attention. For the Rutlands, the attention keeps coming as they were awarded the Torch Award for Business Ethics from the Macon chapter of the Better Business Bureau. "It’s quite an honor for us," says Charles. "I believe the number one feather in our cap for us receiving this award was our extensive and well-thought-out Systems and Standards, which outlines how we should operate, and that reflects our concern for consumers of our product/service." According to the Rutlands and the BBB, not all local chapters recognize this award. "I believe this is a good award because it reflects how we operate, but I know some of our franchisees are not so lucky, even with BBB membership. I understand that in Metro D.C. and in Cincinnati, the local BBB refused to accept an application for membership from the franchisee because of the poor standing and reputation of the industry, or at least the industry perception," Charles said. "I know HomeVestors is aware of this, so any recognition to the contrary helps distance us from the rest of the industry. Also, the idea of a national HVA BBB membership/affiliation is something I will bring up at the next FAC meeting. We are an ethical operator, and this award and affiliation is a great way to separate us from others," he said. …Gregg Stengel is the marketing publications manager for HVA. He may be reached at 972-761-0046, ext. 189.

Don't Miss May 26!

Book your hotel room now for Mid-Year Summit The deadline for reserving a hotel room at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, MO, is May 26; space and rate cannot be guaranteed after that date. HVA's room block is filling up fast – act now to secure your room and the HVA group rate. Every franchisee is encouraged to attend HVA's Mid-Year Summit, June 22-24, 2006. The special MYS room rate at the Millennium Hotel (800-325-7353), located in downtown St. Louis, is $109 plus tax per night. Register You can download the Registration form for MYS here, or from the Franchise Owners page of HomeVestors.com. Look under HomeVestors' Events. The registration fee for MYS is $199 per person, valid until June 12, when the fee increases to $299. The Coordinator training fee is $99 per person. If the coordinator stays for the Saturday meeting, the cost is $199 total per coordinator. Buyer in a Box The latest addition to HVA’s training modules, Buyer in a Box, will be presented at the Mid-Year Summit. Franchisees across the nation have been asking questions regarding how to hire a Buyer, and even where to find one! Buying is a focal point of our business, so we thought it was time to provide you with this detailed guide. Join us this June and receive your own copy of Buyer in a Box, a step-by-step manual which walks you through the process of finding, hiring, training and managing your Buyer. Agenda A tentative MYS agenda with a description of Friday and Saturday sessions has been posted on the Franchise Owners page of HomeVestors.com. Get all the details when you download the agenda. Franchise Advisory Council The Franchise Advisory Council will meet on Thursday, June 22, from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Action Alert: Health Plan Derailed

U.S. Senate blocks your opportunity to get health insurance A small business health plan, allowing small businesses to band together through membership in an association to offer employees more affordable healthcare plans, was blocked in the U.S. Senate on May 11. The Senate, on a procedural vote on bill S.1955, failed to pass the measure. The bill fell 5 short of the 60 votes needed to pass. The bill was backed by the International Franchise Association (IFA), which expressed disappointment that some Senators who publicly expressed sympathy for the plight of small business would not allow a vote on S. 1955. Still, the small business health plan legislation moved further in the Senate than ever before. Franchise businesses across the U.S. had sent a record-breaking 3,000 emails and faxes to the Senate during the past several weeks urging the measure to pass. The IFA is recommending that franchisees who want this legislation (eventually) passed should follow these guidelines: Thank Sen. Mike Enzi (WY), sponsor of S. 1955, who worked hard to get the bill through committee and in front of the full Senate. Express your disappointment at this delay and urge all Senators to work to get SBHP legislation to the Senate floor again this year. Go to franchisingvotes.com and email or fax your letter to both of your state's U.S. Senators. The site is free, and just requires you to register so your Senators can be automatically identified. There are IFA-drafted letters  on the site. Call your Senators’ offices. Attend Franchise Appreciation Day, Sept. 25-26 in Washington, D.C. You may register at franchise.org