|
** The official e-newsletter of the National Speakers Association of South Africa **
Your Board of Directors (BoD)
Please note - unsubscribe procedure at the foot of this newsletter
October / November 2006
[last issue – August 2006]
In this issue:
- Feature Article: Benefits of being a NSASA Member
- News from the Durban Chapter
- Paul du Toit in Germany
- Membership Matters
- NSASA Website
- Local Speakers Recently
- Upcoming Speaker Events
- Upcoming National Speakers Conventions Internationally
- How to apply to join NSASA
- Tip of the Month
- Thought for the Month
** footnote: How to apply to join NSASA **
Click here for the President's message
Note: For additional information, please click on the hyperlinks (usually in blue) which will take you to a special web page, email address or suchlike. For easy navigating, it suggested that you stay online to access the relevant links.
1. FEATURE ARTICLE: Are there really any Benefits to being a NSASA Member? Jacques de Villiers shares his thoughts on life with the NSASA.
I’m often asked by speakers wanting to join the NSASA what are the benefits of membership.
I’ve made it a point to get one positive thing out of every meeting I attend. As a result, I’ve learned (and keep on learning) a tremendous amount about my craft. Over and above the obvious benefits of being recognised as a professional, getting some great information out of the USA every month, I’ve discovered some other tangible benefits:
- I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find it lonely out there without having peers around me to understand the typical pressures a professional feels. NSASA allows me to meet with like-minded people and to share ideas.
- I met up with Richard Mulvey. We did a joint venture to his database and I ended up presenting to more than 130 people in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. And, I made some money out of it too (enough to pay four years NSASA membership).
- At our recent AGM, Dr. Graeme Codrington said that he got his notebook sponsored by his computer distributor. I took a leaf out of his book and asked my computer distributor if he would sponsor my notebook computer. They agreed to give me all my computer purchases at cost from now on. That’s a saving of 40%.
- I’ve learned from Richard Mulvey that I have been losing 30% more turnover at every keynote because I haven’t written a book yet. So, I am now and will soon be selling it. Watch this space.
- My keynote address needed a bit of polish. I got the polish by listening to Warren Evans in his talk, Re-engineering the Keynote.
- I’m learning more about developing product and selling it from Jurgen Teitz. He got his information from Frank Furness.
- I’ve watched Gavin Sharples “Teach Pigs how to Fly” and have grown tremendously from that experience as a person.
These are a few examples of how I’ve benefited already out of NSASA. I get real-world practical tips from my association with NSASA and it has really helped me.
2. News from the Durban Chapter.
The Durban Chapter has moved on dramatically over the last couple of months. We have had elections and a new committee has taken over the reigns. We all join in thanking Roger Knowles for doing such a magnificent job of getting the Durban Chapter up and running.
In September Jacques de Villiers was in town and he gave us a very good presentation on Internet marketing. He outlined some very useful techniques to grow our businesses through the internet and I know we all found his presentation interesting and informative.
On the 4th of October we ran our first showcase at the Durban Country Club. There were 9 speakers including Billy Selekane who flew down from Johannesburg for the event. There were, as expected, some drop outs at the last moment but 140 people attended and they all seemed to have a good time. The program was a great success and incredibly we made a small profit on the day.
On the 23rd October we will be having Paul du Toit at the meeting and he has promised to facilitate the discussion on presentation skills. At the meeting we will be presenting the award for the best speaker at the showcase (as judged by the people attending) and confirming the details of our Christmas function on the 1st December, the Bootcamp we have planned for February next year, the next showcase in the middle of the year and other functions (watch this space…). All NSASA members are welcome to join us at any of the functions, please let us know when you are coming to Durban and we will see if we can plan something together.
3. Paul du Toit in Germany.
The Inaugural GSA (German Speakers Association) Convention took place near Nurenburg, Germany on 15-16 September 2006 and was attended by 130 guests. This convention, organised by GSA President Sigi Haider introduced their Speaker's Hall of Fame which honours just 3 recipients annually at a magnificent gala evening.
Paul du Toit (IPP of NSASA) was the first international English speaking keynote at lunchtime on day one, part of what they refer to as the "International Track". This exceptionally well organised convention was also attended by IFFPS President Robyn Pearce CSP from New Zealand, and NSAA President Lindsay Adams CSP, and other international speakers representing the IFFPS.
Paul has of course (shy as he is) omitted to tell us that he was elected as Secretary for the IFFPS, an enormous honour if I have to give my opinion.
4. Membership Matters.
NSASA now boasts 117 Members consisting of 48 Professional, 27 Associate, 33 Candidate, 4 Supplier and 5 Staff members.
Grant Driver (mailto:grant@captivate.co.za) is the new Board Member responsible for member issues. I know he’s planning some exciting membership drives and more comprehensive member benefits in the coming year. So watch this space.
Use of the NSASA Logo. There has been considerable debate over the last couple of months, both at Board level and amongst Members regarding the use of the NSASA logo by members for marketing purposes. The policy decision has now been made by the board and the following guidelines should be applied.
All members of the NSASA may make mention in their marketing material (brochures, e-mail, website etc) that they are Members of the NSASA, but should make mention of their membership status. Only Professional Members in good standing may make use of the NSASA Logo on their correspondence, website and other marketing material.
5. NSASA Website.
Ironic isn’t it. The Internet, e-mail and other electronic technology are all supposed to be time savers. The world is supposedly turning faster because of it and yet this project seems to be never-ending. Our new board member Jacques de Villiers has inherited the website portfolio and he’s making great strides towards completing the website. However, since our designers and those people who understand the more technical design aspects have re-located to the USA (from Cape Town) the wheels turn slowly.
Nevertheless, Jacques has a great vision for the website and things are falling into place. That’s why you should visit it regularly to update your profile (if you’re a NSASA member.
If you have any feedback for Jacques, or have suggestions for items you’d like to see on the website, please send them to Jacques at mailto:jacques@jacquesdevilliers.com or mailto:webmaster@nsasouthafrica.co.za
6. Local Speakers Recently
Johannesburg Chapter
September saw the Johannesburg Chapter meeting being addressed by Cape Town Chapter President, Ronnie Muhl. Ronnie had recently returned from his Everest Expedition. Yep, he made it to within 150m of the summit before having to turn back to avoid incoming bad weather. He shared with us his experiences in preparation, the fact that the team that he was part of actually climbed up (and down) the mountain several times over a three week period in order to acclimatize and shuttle equipment. Most poignant was his tale of encountering death on the mountain and the anguish of knowing that a member of his team had not made it down – only to be discovered still alive the following day. “You’re simply not supposed to survive a night on the mountain”, relayed Ronnie.
During October we all shown how to move out of our comfort zone, wave our hands in the air and find out what it REALLY feels like to be in a resourceful state. Allan Kleynhans traveled from Durban to share his experiences (and knowledge learnt) from attending the Anthony Robbins Mastery University in Hawaii. His high energy presentation highlighted that we are often our own worst enemies as a result of our thought-processes and that, in life, we always deserve what we get. Both the good and the bad. Most importantly though, Allan showed the audience how they get out of the mindset created within them when things do go wrong.
Cape Town Chapter
The last few months have been fairly busy in Cape Town. In August we hosted Warren Evans, whose presentation was superb and then in September Jacques de Villiers spoke to the Chapter. His presentation was informative with some touches of South African humour to keep it moving very nicely indeed.
On the 8th of November we host Dr Richard Marker, who will be in Cape Town in November for a significant meeting between the official representatives of the Roman Catholic Church (appointed by the Vatican) and the official representative of World Jewry. His primary field is philanthropy and his presentation is about the nature of 21st century philanthropy and how it relates to public policy. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and has been speaking publicly for a very long time.
Ronnie Muhl will be attending CAPS in Vancouver and Warren Evans has asked him to do something on "Working with Sponsors" at the Pre-convention workshop. Ronnie will be sharing the platform with the likes of Dan Poynter and Amanda Gore, to name but a few, so he’s really honoured to be a part of the program. Ronnie will then spend 2 days with Warren Evans and Kit Grant at their "Invitational Summit." This will be a 2 day intensive program of personalised coaching.
Durban Chapter
See Durban Chapter news earlier in this newsletter.
7. Upcoming Speaker Events
Johannesburg Chapter
Wednesday 8th November will see Lars Lofstrand addressing the Johannesburg chapter. Lars’ topic for the evening will be “Sticky Money”. (I suppose it’s all about getting money to stick to you!)
Don’t forget the NSASA Year End function. This will be held on 25th November 2006 at The Grace Hotel in Rosebank. Contact Hanlie to book your place. At R200-00 per person, this is going to be a great social event.
Cape Town Chapter
The Cape Town Chapter is really excited to announce that Dr Richard A. Marker from New York will be in Cape Town in November for a significant meeting between the official representatives of the Roman Catholic Church (appointed by the Vatican) and the official representative of World Jewry. His primary field is philanthropy and his presentation is about the nature of 21st century philanthropy and how it relates to public policy. He is a member of the National Speakers Association and has been speaking publicly for a very long time.
If you’re in Cape Town on the 8th of November, why not join Ronnie and Dr Marker for the evening?
8. Upcoming National Speaker Conventions Internationally
The NSAA Convention at Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast, Australia, 30 March to 1 April 2007 www.nsaspeaker.org/meetings/index.xpl,
PSA European Convention 2006, de Vere Belfy Hotel, Birmingham, UK, 3 – 5 November 2006 www.professionalspeakers.org/events
CAPS Canadian Convention, Vancouver, British Columbia, 7 – 9 December 2006. www.canadianspeakers.org/displayconvention.cfm
NSASA Convention April 2007, Sandton, Johannesburg – more details to follow soon.
9. How to Apply to Join the NSASA
Please visit our website, www.nsasouthafrica.co.za for information about the organization, membership application forms and debit order forms. Step by step instructions are given.
10. Tip of the month
Always answer the phone with enthusiasm in your voice and show your appreciation for the caller. Good phone manners are essential. To convey authority on the line, stand up as this will instill further confidence in your voice.
11. Thought for the Month
“Short pencil better than long memory” Chinese Proverb
Erik Vermeulen
Editor
** footnote: How to apply to join NSASA **
Click here for the President's message
Note: For additional information, please click on the hyperlinks (usually in blue) which will take you to a special web page, email address or suchlike. For easy navigating, it suggested that you stay online to access the relevant links.
Any thoughts, suggestions, criticism - please mailto:news@nsasouthafrica.co.za
| 
