To establish and maintain public confidence in the professionalism, honesty, ability and integrity of the professional speaker is fundamental to the future success of the National Speakers Association, 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 that they recognize the vital need to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of speaking.
Members of the National Speakers Association are dedicated individuals sincerely concerned with the interests of all who come in contact with the profession. To this end, NSA members subscribe to this Professional Pledge:
I pledge myself to honesty and integrity; to pursue my profession and education to the end that service to my clients shall always be maintained at the highest possible level.
I pledge myself to seek and maintain an equitable, honorable and cooperative association with fellow members of the Association and with all others who may become a part of my business and professional life.
I pledge myself to comply with the standards of the National Speakers Association as set forth in its Bylaws and this Code of Professional Ethics.
ARTICLE 1. The NSA member shall accurately represent qualifications and experience in both oral and written communications.
ARTICLE 2. The NSA member shall act and speak on a high professional level so as to neither offend nor bring discredit to the speaking profession.
ARTICLE 3. The NSA member shall exert diligence to understand the client’s organization, approaches and goals in advance of the presentation.
ARTICLE 4. The NSA member shall avoid using materials, titles and thematic creations originated by others, either orally or in writing.
ARTICLE 5. The NSA member shall share knowledge and experience with others.
ARTICLE 6. The NSA member shall treat other speakers with professional courtesy and dignity.
ARTICLE 7. The NSA member shall limit services to those areas in which the member is qualified to serve, taking into consideration available opportunities for the member to develop new materials or undertake new fields. When unable or unqualified to fulfill requests for presentations, the NSA member shall make every effort to recommend the services of other qualified speakers, agencies or bureaus.
ARTICLE 8. The NSA member shall maintain the trust of clients, and fidelity concerning the business or personal affairs of clients, agents and other speakers who may reveal confidential information.
ARTICLE 9. The NSA member shall protect the public against fraud or unfair practices and shall attempt to eliminate from the speaking profession all practices which bring discredit to the profession.
ARTICLE 10. The NSA member shall not be a party to any agreement to unfairly limit or restrain access to the marketplace by any other speaker, client or to the public, based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, sex, age, physical handicap or country of national origin of another speaker.
ARTICLE 11. Violations of the obligations of the Code shall be determined in accordance to the Bylaws, policies and procedures of the National Speakers Association. Disciplinary actions shall be instituted by the National Speakers Association in accordance with Bylaws and Rules and Regulations established by the Association. Any such disciplinary action shall be final and binding upon the NSA members and without recourse to the Association, its officers, members or staff.