The Filipino Speakers Association is a dream project. I have been for seven years in Toastmasters then. I brought together some speakers and trainers to build a Toastmasters club. But since we were limited by the program of Toastmasters, I thought we really need to create something more. There was PSTD, but it was meant for training.
I really want to raise the quality of professional speakers in the country. I thought that perhaps, we can have our own National Speakers Association.
In 2011, I contacted speakers associations to understand how to build a professional speakers association in the Philippines. I got good guidance. I reached out to other professional speakers to share with them the vision.
Unfortunately, when I applied at the SEC, the name Professional Speakers Association of the Philippines was not approved. There was another group, English Speakers Association, and SEC wanted us to contact their officers to get their permission to use our name.
I could not understand the need to get their permission. The two organizations are two groups distinct from each other. We tried to contact the incorporators of the group, but it was inactive during that time. I wasn’t able to reach out to them.
I wrote about the experience at jefmenguin.wordpress.com (no longer existing) in 2012. I wrote in that blog that I will register Philippine Professional Speakers Association. But I never had the opportunity again to go to the SEC.
It was also this time that I was busy with projects in Mindanao. It was not a priority. I had to archive the project.
Today, there are already three associations for speakers and trainers. I am not a member of any of them. I hope all of them become successful.
But the dream is still there. I have yet to join these associations. But I am not seeing the programs I hope they have. For some reason, they did not also get the big names in professional speaking here in the country. They could have learned from them.
After more than a decade, the desire to help enable professional speakers remains the same. I never had that help. Those of us who lack the money to get certified by John Maxwell, Les Brown, or the National Speakers Association (in the US) must help each other.
I have no idea when to start this project. Maybe, I will do it in the second quarter of next year.
I have three things in mind.
First, I may come up with a signature course for professional speakers. You can see that this is related to my project which helps resource speakers become more visible. I find this easiest since I am already doing this.
I will document what I am already doing so students get a rich resource that will help them become professional speakers.
I noticed that the programs of the existing organizations are inferior to Toastmasters. If someone wants to become a confident speaker, I will gladly refer Toastmasters to them.
If they want to become a professional speaker, they can join the tribe.
Second, I may build a tribe of professional speakers. This can be an online community where professional speakers share their best practices.
I am not sure if professional speakers are willing to share their “trade secrets.” I know it is worth trying. I have been sharing many of my secrets with other speakers. Although, it takes time for them to learn since they will not really change unless they change their mindsets.
Third, I may write a book. I will interview professional speakers and those who have hired professional speakers. The book will become the “textbook” for aspiring professional speakers.
Yes, there are already thousands of books about the subject. But the Filipino experience will be richer than any of this book. I will show them a step-by-step guide on how to create value for customers.
The Filipino Speakers Association project does not have to be my project. So, if you are one of those who believe you can make this happen, contact me. If I get twenty people who show genuine interest, I may come up with workshops soon.
I am declaring this as my next project so I will not forget it again. Though there are groups for speakers and trainers, I know that they are not offering the courses that professional speakers need to know.
I am not saying that what students get in certification courses is useless. The lessons you’ll get from those who offer certifications are as useful as the ones offered by famous public speaking schools in the Philippines.
But they are not teaching you how to create more value for your clients.
September 26, 2021
P.S. It is likely that I will come up with a Speaking Laboratory to help leaders become better speakers. Though I am not totally closing the door to the Filipino Speakers Association, teaching leaders the “secrets” of professional speakers is a high-impact project. (June 15, 2023)
P.P.S. I talked to some speakers. There are those who are interested in building the Elbi Professional Speakers. And I also think I can start building the programs for the Professional Speakers Guild. Since yesterday, I hold the responsibility of Area 2 Director for Toastmasters. That means I will be responsible for building clubs in Laguna and Quezon. (July 2, 2023)
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