MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. How do I become a member of NSA-IL (National Speakers Association – Illinois Chapter)? In order to be a member of NSA-IL, you must also qualify and join NSA at the national level.  You need to fulfill and verify ONE of the requirements

• You have earned income from a minimum of 20 fee-paid professional speaking engagements during the 12 months prior to application.
• You have made a minimum of 20 presentations to audiences of 15 people or more as part of your salaried position during the 12 months prior to application
• You have earned a minimum of $25,000 in professional speaking income during the 12 months prior to application.

2. What counts as a paid presentation and how do I document them?

A paid presentation is a presentation where a fee has been received.  We do not accept compensation (flights, hotel stay, etc.) as a form of payment.  The selling of books or products does not qualify as a fee.   It must be monetary payment.

If it is in your job description to speak, that would qualify you for membership.  Anything you can provide us with to prove that you were paid for speaking is adequate documentation for membership.  A letter from your supervisor or a job description, if it is your job to speak, is sufficient.

Anything you can provide us with to confirm your speaking engagements: tax documents, testimonial letters, check stubs, anything of that nature will work.

3. Do speakers who present as part of their salaried positions qualify for membership?

• Speakers who make a minimum of 20 presentations annually to audiences of 15 members or more as part of their salaried positions qualify
• Speakers who contract with seminar companies, corporate trainers, college level or full-time adjunct faculty members, teachers who speak outside the classroom for a monetary fee and meet the speaking criteria
• Teaching of a college level, lecture based class can qualify for membership if a copy of the contract with the institution of employment, a copy of the curriculum and /or adequate documentation of class size, and number of presentations is provided with the membership application.

4. If I qualify, how much does it cost to be an NSA/ NSA-IL member?

The NSA-IL chapter dues are $190.00 and renewed annually.  The NSA National dues are $600 initially, and $425 per year to renew.  You will be sent an annual membership renewal notice a month before your annual membership fee is due.

5.   What are the benefits of joining NSA-IL?

Ask any NSA-IL member!  Fantastic educational opportunities, networking, and relationship building at the local level are of monumental importance when building a successful speaking business.  Membership will help you to learn how to grow your business, give you a platform for you to discuss issues that impact your business and help you to create affiliations with associations and other organizations that will help you expand even more. 

6.   What is a Candidate?

A candidate is someone who is either working toward the requirements to be a full NSA/NSA-IL member OR who is selecting candidacy as an opportunity to get acquainted with the NSA organization.  In either case, candidacy is a statement of intention and commitment to the speaking profession.  Candidates pay $440 dues, which includes tuition to Candidate U. 

Candidates and Members of NSA-IL pay the same cost when registering for the NSA-IL local events.  (This is a savings over non-member/guest rates).  A candidate is not an NSA or NSA-IL member.  A candidate is also a ‘non-member’ when registering for national events. If, however, the candidate becomes a member of NSA within 90 days of that event, the difference between the member and non-member registration will be refunded by national.

Individuals may remain an NSA-IL candidate for up to TWO years without meeting any membership qualifications.  (Membership dues are pro-rated).  After TWO years a candidate MUST meet full membership qualifications in order to join NSA-IL, or must return to a guest/non-member status. 

Candidates are not listed on the NSA-IL or NSA directory or web site.  They do not have voting privileges until they become full members, do not serve on the board of directors but are encouraged to share their talents and expertise at the committee level.

7.   How do I join NSA (National Speakers Association)?

• Fulfill ONE of the requirements for membership status (see 1A)
• Complete an application
• Submit verification documentation for speaking engagements
• Sign a professional code of ethics
• Submit one recent black and white glossy photo
• Send your completed membership application to NSA headquarters

8.   What are the NSA membership benefits?

As a member you will receive 10 issues a year of the NSA Professional Speaker magazine, along with the monthly CD/tape series, called the Voices of Experience.  You will be listed on the Web site directory, which is updated once a month, and also in the printed directory Who’s Who in Professional Speaking: The Meeting Planner’s Guide.  You will receive a copy of the current directory when you join.  This book is also sent to a database of meeting planners and different bureaus and agencies that book speakers.  The deadline to appear in the directory is September 1 of every year.  There is also an NSA designation that members can earn, called the Certified Speaking Professional or CSP.  NSA offers members discounts on group insurance plans, Airborne Express, National Car Rental, and a discounted membership rate at our meetings.

9.   How does NSA help prospective members qualify for membership?

Non-qualifying speakers will be able to access NSA’s educational materials by attending NSA’s national meetings, subscribing to Professional Speaker Magazine, and accessing information provided through the NSA Web site.  NSA will continue to encourage developing speakers through ancillary programs and access to educational materials designed for the professional speaker. 

10.  What is a Fabulous Friday?

Each professional development seminar focuses on a speaking competency as established by NSA such as platform mechanics, authorship, marketing, and assists each speaker toward reaching and surpassing their professional goals.  Five, half day lunch meetings are held bimonthly from September through May usually on the third Friday.  Programming is typically targeted for the experienced speaker and is often presented by a professional speaker of national prominence.