Professional Membership

Every Professional Membership with CAPS comes with the opportunity to:

• Accelerate your speaking career by growing alongside other professionals who understand the nuances of speaking-based businesses and lifestyles!
• Find faster, better fitting solutions from fellow experts who have mastered key components in marketing, business and logistics.
• Expand your professional network by building relationships with fellow members and attending local, online and national events.
• Increase the value of your business by completing learning modules in the CAPS Academy, attending masterminds and community events.
• Gain invaluable support from our community when facing challenges, setbacks or a need to pivot. Our members feel like family and friends!

Explore more benefits

You are eligible for Professional membership in the Association if you have earned at least $50,000 (CDN) in revenue using the spoken word to audiences of five or more in the previous 12-month period OR have made at least 25 documented paid presentations of no less than $1,000 each to audiences of five or more in the previous 12-month period.

You may be a keynote speaker, trainer, facilitator, emcee, online course conductor, small group coach, or a paid professional who shares your expertise via the spoken word outside of a classroom environment.

There are unique circumstances where CAPS will consider you for membership if you do not meet the above criteria. If, for example, you derive income from product or course sales or consulting contracts that are linked to your speaking work, then CAPS will take that into consideration when evaluating your application.

If you would like to share your unique situation with us or you need clarification on membership requirements, please reach out by completing this form: https://www.canadianspeakers.org/contact-us/

AFFIRMING CAPS IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU:
Thank you for your interest in joining CAPS. Before you apply to become a member, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of how CAPS will benefit you. Please read the following carefully before completing your application.

What CAPS Is
CAPS is a community of experts who speak professionally. Our culture is based on the “CAPS Advantage” which encompasses the philosophy of “learn, share, grow, and belong”.

We strive to help speaking professionals excel in the areas of business growth and speaking professionalism. We do this through ongoing educational, training and networking opportunities.

When you become a member of CAPS, learning opportunities are abundant. We invite you to take part as much as you can, and give back when you’re inspired to. It is our spirit of generosity, openness and encouragement that helps our members gain value from their membership, and become some of the best in their respective industries. Build close relationships, help others and always be willing to look to fellow members for that ‘missing piece’ needed on your journey: and you too will experience the CAPS Advantage.

What CAPS Is Not
CAPS is not a speaker bureau or speaker agent. Although we do provide listings of some speaking opportunities, we do not promote individual members, provide marketing services or find engagements for our members.

By applying for a CAPS Membership, you agree/certify that:

1. You will abide by the CAPS Code of Professional Ethics, as a CAPS member.
2. You qualify for the membership category you are applying for, as verified through supporting documents (described below)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:
For Professional Membership, please email [email protected] with documentation showing that you received at least $50,000 (CDN) in revenue using the spoken word to audiences of five or more in the previous 12-month period OR have made at least 25 documented paid presentations of no less than $1,000 each to audiences of five or more in the previous 12-month period.

And remember, there are unique instances where CAPS will consider individuals who do not meet the above criteria. Additionally, income from speaking may include product or course sales or consulting contracts that come as a result of your speaking work. Contact us if you require further clarification, we’re happy to help!

For Supplier Membership: please email [email protected] with verification that you provide goods or services to the speaking industry. Supporting documentation must be received by the CAPS office before your application can be formally approved.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
All membership fees renew on March 31st, annually and are prorated based on the month you join (as described below). A one-time initiation fee of $200 is applied to new memberships. All fees are eligible to applicable taxes. All fees are subject to change.

All new members will receive a $100 coupon towards the registration fee for their 1st attended Annual CAPS Convention.

Professional & Supplier Annual Membership Fee: $645.00*

Pay for:
12 months - When joining in April/May/June: $645.00
9 months - When joining in July/August/September: $483.75
6 months - When joining in October/November/December: $322.50
15 months - When joining in January/February/March: $806.25
Annual Renewal fee year two onward is $645, payable March 31

GSF Dual Annual Membership Fee: $350.00.

APPROVAL PROCESS:
In order to process your application we must receive payment and any supporting documentation to verify your selected membership qualifications. We recommend submitting your documents the same day you apply, and submit payment, to avoid delays. In the unlikely event you do not meet the requirements for your Membership Category, we will return the membership fee within 30 days.

Please allow 1-3 weeks for processing and verification. You will be notified by email once your membership application has been approved. Once your membership application has been approved your CAPS membership will commence. Your email confirmation will indicate the start date of your membership, which coincides with the month in which your documentation was processed.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you cancel your application within 30 days you will be refunded your membership fee minus the $200.00 initiation fee used in the administration and approval process.

Revised and Approved on February 15, 2019

To establish and maintain public confidence in the professionalism, honesty, ability and integrity of the professional speaker is fundamental to the success of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, its members, and the profession of speaking.

To this end, members of the Association have adopted and, as a condition of membership, subscribe to this Code of Professional Ethics. By doing so, the members give notice they recognize the vital need to preserve, encourage and support fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of speaking.

Violations of this Code shall be determined in accordance with the bylaws, policies and procedures of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Disciplinary actions shall be instituted by CAPS in accordance with Bylaws and Rules and Regulations established by the Association. Any such disciplinary action shall be final and binding upon the CAPS member and without recourse to the Association, its officers, members or staff.

READ MORE