CAPS Edmonton Board (2010)

Your CAPS Edmonton Board of Directos continues to work hard, behind the scenes, to deliver real value to you, as a CAPS member.

For member listings please visit the CAPS National website.

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12 Things You Can Do

Make the most of your membership, by doing these 12 things:

1. Create your bio on the CAPS national website. When people are looking for speakers with specific criteria, they often use the internet as a resource. Make sure your bio is up to date with on www.canadianspeakers.org and www.capsedmonton.com.
   
   
2. Leverage the CAPS logo in your marketing materials. Members can use the CAPS logo on websites, marketing materials, and business cards. This allows you to demonstrate your credentials while showing clients that you are committed to professional excellence and an established ethical standard.
   
   
3. Attend the monthly chapter meetings. Our chapter meetings are fun, educational, entertaining and offer great opportunities for connecting with like minded individuals. Our meetings are typically held on the third Saturday of each month. Check the CAPS Edmonton website for future dates, and stay informed via our newsletter communication for specific details. You are encouraged to bring your books, products, and promotional material to display at CAPS meetings—the more we know about one another, the more we can help one another.
   
   
4. Share your good news. We want to hear about your success, and share the news with others. Just send an eMail tp programs@capsedmonton.com with your good news story or that of another CAPS Edmonton member. This may include TV coverage, news paper articles, major presentations, books or DVD publications, to name a few. We’ll then share your success in the Good News component of our program and newsletter. 
   
   
5. Meet with others. As professional speakers, trainers, and facilitators, many of us work independently or with small groups of people. Collectively, there is a lot of knowledge, experience, and support available within our membership. Consider participating in the lunch meeting business card exchange. Take the time to know others, learn about their business, and be known to others. People refer people they know and trust.
   
   
6. Use Cool Resources on the CAPS National website. Your CAPS username and password will allow you access to this great selection of resources.
   
   
7. Contribute. CAPS is proud to embrace a “spirit of giving.”  The success of our initiatives comes from the Board, various committee members, the volunteers, and the efforts of our individual members as a whole. Volunteering is fun, creates even greater opportunities for connection with others, and helps CAPS to remain a warm and welcoming community. Please talk with one of Chair members about getting involved; you will receive as much as you give.
   
   
8. Consider Certification. There is much information available on the CAPS National website, with respect to qualifying for the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) program. CSP credentials can increase your credibility and offers great marketing benefits. More importantly, it reflects your commitment to growth, and learning—it is an investment in yourself. Visit canadianspeakers.org for details.
   
   
9. Read: You will receive a number of CAPS and NSA (National Speakers Association) publications as part of your membership including Speaking of Impact (CAPS magazine), So to Speak (CAPS newsletter), and Professional Speaker (NSA magazine.) These publications are designed for your benefit and contain wonderful ideas and advertising from suppliers that are skilled at working with the unique requirements of speakers.
   
   
10. Attend the annual CAPS National Convention. Each winter CAPS hosts a two-and-a-half day convention that brings together some of our country’s greatest speakers. Filled with education and networking opportunities, it is truly a fun and inspirational event. In addition, you can learn new strategies, valuable speaking and business insights, and exchange ideas with many others who have similar business models—all of which may have a profound impact on the growth of your business. The opportunity to see others "perform" is a real highlight.
    
    
11. Consider the benefits of Profit From Speaking. This signature program, created by CAPS Edmonton, runs over a period of 6 months. It will help you to define your niche, refine your materials, create a business plan and budget, and develop your marketing strategy.
    
    
12. Mentor | Be Mentored. Do you have an area of expertise you are willing to share? Is there an area you would like to develop to move your business forward? If the prospect of mentoring, or being mentored is of interest to you, please talk with one of our board members about getting involved.

Your membership and active participation in CAPS, a national association specifically established to assist speakers in growing their business, is a significant step toward creating a strong foundation for your speaking success.

We are fortunate to have a membership of professionals who are committed to helping one another grow their business. Why not take the time to get to know fellow members, and the chapter Board, each of whom would be happy to assist you.

We welcome your suggestions and encourage you to share your ideas toward making us an even stronger association.

Sincerely,

Gail McDonald / Al Head
Membership Chair(s)
CAPS Edmonton Chapter