Professional Speakers Association

Limited by Guarantee

Application to become a CANDIDATE

INTRODUCTION
This application form is for people who intend to become professional speakers within the next two years, or for
people who already speak professionally but do not completely fulfil the requirements of full Member status of the
PSA. You are applying as a “Candidate for Membership”.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
1. Applicants for Candidate intend to meet the requirement for full Member status of the PSA within the next
two years.

2. Applicants for Candidate must be aspiring professional speakers and not just people interested in speaking, or
those who speak on an “amateur” basis only.

3. Applicants for Candidate must be sponsored by ONE existing Member or Fellow of the Professional Speakers
Association.

4. Applicants for Candidate must agree to abide by the Code of Professional Ethics of the Professional Speakers
Association. The Code of Professional Ethics is shown on Page 2.

CANDIDATE BENEFITS
Candidates of the PSA are entitled to:

• Attend PSA meetings and events (except those for Members and/or Fellows only)
• Access the online magazine, Speakeasy
• Access the online magazine, Speaker
• Access the online CD Voices of Experience

CANDIDATE LIMITATIONS
Candidates of the PSA are NOT members of the Professional Speakers Association and MAY NOT make such a claim in
any way. Similarly, because Candidates do not hold membership of the PSA they are not entitled to vote at any
meetings.

Candidates do not gain entry to any part of the Members-only sections of the PSA web site.

Candidate status is granted for a maximum of TWO YEARS. If you have not progressed to becoming a Member within
two years, your Candidate status will lapse. You will not be entitled to re-apply for Candidate status until a further
three years has elapsed (i.e. – five years from the date of first applying).

FEES
Joining Fee: £100 (non-refundable) Annual Fee: £150 (refundable if application unsuccessful)

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APPLICATION PROCESS
Once you submit your application it will be checked by the PSA Secretariat to ensure all sections have been completed
properly. The form will then be submitted to the PSA Membership Committee who will review your application and
make a recommendation to the Board of the PSA as to whether or not you should be accepted. This process can take
up to eight weeks. If your application for Candidate is not successful, you will not be entitled to re-apply for a further
three years.

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATE STATUS

Member Aspiration
You agree that over the following two years you will work towards fulfilling the following competencies so you can
apply to become a Member.

Professional Awareness
Mastering this competency provides an in-depth understanding of the Professional Speakers Association,
related professional associations and sources of information.

Topic Development
This is the “creative” competency. It means knowing the best topics for you and tailoring topics to specific
audiences.

Presenting and Performing

This is the “communication” competency, which includes mastering the craft of presenting and performing.

PR, Sales and Marketing

This business development competency results in comprehensive sales and marketing strategies for speaking
engagements and products.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Adherence to this code is a condition of seeking Candidate status. Violation of this code shall be determined in
accordance with the rules and regulations and Memorandum and Articles of Association. Any disciplinary action taken
in accordance with those rules and regulations shall be finally binding without recourse to the Association, its officers,
members or staff. A PSA Candidate shall:

• accurately represent qualifications and experience in both oral and written communications;
• act, operate his/her business, and speak on a high professional level so as not to offend nor discredit the
speaking profession;
• exert due diligence to understand the client's organisation, approaches and goals in advance of the
presentation;
• avoid using materials, titles and themes originated by others, either orally or in writing, unless approved by
the originator;
• treat other speakers with professional courtesy, dignity and respect;
• maintain and respect the business or personal affairs of clients, agents and other speakers;
• protect the public against fraud or unfair practices and attempt to eliminate from the speaking profession all
discreditable practices;
• not be a party to any agreement that unfairly limits or restrains access to the marketplace.

CONFIDENTIALITY
All information you enter on this form is treated in the strictest confidence. Only the five members of the Membership
Committee will view your application, together with the PSA Secretariat. Your payment details will only be seen by the
PSA Secretariat.

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APPLICANT DETAILS

Please complete ALL sections in Black Ink

Title .............................. First Name ........................................ Last Name ...........................................................

Qualifications ......................................................................................................................................................

Date of Birth .......................................................................................................................................................

Business Name ...................................................................................................................................................

Address ..............................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Town .................................................................................................................................................................

Post Code ...........................................................................................................................................................

Country ..............................................................................................................................................................

Telephone ..........................................................................................................................................................

Fax ....................................................................................................................................................................

Mobile ................................................................................................................................................................

Email..................................................................................................................................................................

Web site .............................................................................................................................................................

SIGNATURE
I apply to become a CANDIDATE for Membership the Professional Speakers Association and confirm that I have read
and will comply with the Code of Professional Ethics (Page 2) and will abide by these rules and regulations governing
the Association.

Signed ................................................................................................................................................................

Date ...................................................................................................................................................................

CHAPTERS
One of the benefits of the PSA is the opportunity to network with members. This is supported by our regional
chapters which host regular meetings. You may attend any chapter’s meetings. However, if you would like to be kept
in touch with the activities of a specific chapter please list the chapter(s) below. A current list of chapters is at
www.professionalspeakersassociation.co.uk

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Professional Speakers Association CANDIDATE APPLICATION

SPONSORSHIP

Your application for CANDIDATE status requires sponsorship by an existing MEMBER or FELLOW. If you do not know
an existing MEMBER or FELLOW you can meet them at a Chapter Meeting or a PSA Event, publicised on the PSA Web
Site (www.professionalspeakersassociation.co.uk). Alternatively, contact any officer of a local chapter or of the PSA
who can put you in touch with a local member.

Name of Sponsor ................................................................................................................................................

I confirm I have met the applicant named on Page 3 and that they are a speaker who is paid for their talks or they
aspire to be a speaker who is paid for their talks.

Signed ................................................................................................................................................................

Date ...................................................................................................................................................................

MENTORING

In order to progress towards Member status it is expected that you will be mentored by an existing Member or Fellow.

The PSA mentoring programme provides you with the opportunity to work with a top speaker with many years of
speaking experience. There is no payment to the mentor associated with mentoring – by way of fees or expenses - to
the mentor either by the mentee or the Association. For further information please visit the website
www.professionalspeakersassociation.co.uk to see the Mentoring Programme.

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SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please complete the following sections to provide as much detail as you can to support your application.

SPEAKING EXPERIENCE
Do you have any speaking experience? Give some examples of the kinds of talks you have given.

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PROPOSED SPEAKING CAREER

What are you intending to do as a professional speaker?.......................................................................................

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SPEAKER DEVELOPMENT
How do you intend to develop your speaking business?.........................................................................................

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YOUR APPLICATION
Why do you want to become a Candidate of the PSA? ...........................................................................................

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What do you hope to gain from the PSA? .............................................................................................................

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PAYMENT
We can accept payment for your joining fee by cheque or credit card and a standing order for your annual
subscription. The standing order form is available on the website for you to download.

Please enclose a cheque made payable to “The Professional Speakers Association” for the joining fee with your
application, this will only be cashed when your application is approved (printed on Page 1).

If paying by credit card, please complete the details below.

Name on credit card ............................................................................................................................................

Address to which credit card statements are delivered ..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Type of card (MasterCard or Visa are acceptable) .................................................................................................

Credit card number .............................................................................................................................................

Expiry date .........................................................................................................................................................

Security code (last three digits on back of card) ....................................................................................................

I authorise the Professional Speakers Association to debit my credit card for the joining fee (printed on Page 2):

£....................................(insert amount)

Signature............................................................................................................................................................

Date ...................................................................................................................................................................

A Standing Order is required for your annual subscriptions fees (printed on Page 1) , when this
has been set up we will complete your application process.

Referred to the PSA by ............................................................your referrer cannot be a

sponsor.

THANK YOU
Thank you for your application. We will process it as quickly as possible.

Please send your application form to: The Professional Speakers Association, 12
Russell Close, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. ST14 8HZ