SCTC Membership Requirements The Society of Communications Technology Consultants (SCTC) offers several membership levels to telecommunications professionals. The memberships to which professionals may apply are: Consultant Member Associate Member Affiliate Member Student Membership The requirements for each of these membership levels are as follows: Consultant Member Requirements In order to qualify for Consultant Membership an individual must have at least three years of experience in the telecommunications industry, have been consulting in the industry for one year and be currently employed as a telecommunications consultant. For the purpose of this qualification, experience in telecommunication may include: Employment by a telecommunications manufacturer or distributor in sales, marketing or engineering capacity; or Study at an institution of higher education in telecommunication; or Employment by a user of telecommunications services or equipment as a communications manager; or Employment or activity as a telecommunications consultant; or Similar or related experience in the telecommunications industry. The individual shall agree to uphold the professional ethical standards, and Bylaws of the SCTC, including strict adherence to the Code of Ethics, and shall continue to do so as long as the individual remains a member of the Society. Prospective members shall provide evidence of having conducted themselves in accordance with the professional and ethical standards of the SCTC prior to their applying for membership. This evidence is provided in the form of five client project references from one or more clients, which are submitted with the application form and the signed Code of Ethics. Associate Member Requirements Individuals who have been active in the profession of telecommunications consulting for at least six months and in the industry for one year, but who have not yet met all of the qualifications of membership defined above may, at the discretion of the Membership Committee, be designated Associate Consultant Members. Prospective members shall provide evidence of having conducted themselves in accordance with the professional and ethical standards of the SCTC prior to their applying for membership. This evidence is provided in the form of one client project reference and 3 industry references, which are submitted with the application form and signed Code of Ethics. If elected in this category, the individual will be expected to satisfy the requirements for full Consultant Membership status within two years. Until that time, the individual has all the rights and responsibilities of a full Consultant Member, except for the right to receive end user inquiries, hold office and vote. Page 1 of 5
Affiliate Member Requirements Affiliates include telecommunications professionals in the end user community. Educators, students, analysts and the media are also welcome. Affiliate members lend their expertise and participate in the SCTC in a collaborative capacity (without voting, holding office, or consulting referrals). Individuals who do not otherwise qualify for membership in the SCTC may, at the discretion of the Membership Committee, be designated as Affiliate members. Student Membership Requirements Individuals who are enrolled in a full time course of study at a post secondary institution may, at the discretion of Board of Directors, be designated Student Members. They shall have all the rights and responsibilities of Consultant members, except for the right to hold office, vote and receive user inquiries. Client Project and Industry Reference Requirements Client project references must come from at least one client who will be informed in the reference letter of the number of projects on which they are giving testimonial. Applicants for Consultant and Associate Membership are required to submit contact information and a sentence or two describing the project for each client reference. Four of those client project references must be returned with a positive response for Consultant membership, one project & three industry references for Associate membership. No negative responses may be received for the applicant to pass this element of the membership process. Full Consultant Membership: Five (5) Client Project References from one (1) or more clients Associate Consultant Membership: One (1) Client Project Reference and three (3) Industry references. Industry references may include vendors, educators, end users or established Colleges and Universities. Affiliate Membership: Not required resume only Student Membership: A copy of the student's current full time course of study Membership Annual Dues Requirements The annual dues structure for each membership level are as follows (a discount for multiple members from the same firm apply): Consultant /Associate (1st member from a firm) Consultant/Associate (2nd member from a firm) Consultant/Associate (3rd member and above from a firm) Affiliate Member Student Member $475.00 per year $350.00 per year $100.00 per year $350.00 per year $ 50.00 per year Consultant, Associate and Affiliate Membership dues are pro rated monthly for new applicants applying throughout the calendar year. Page 2 of 5
FIVE GREAT REASONS TO JOIN 1. Networking and Collaborating with Fellow Consultants With members throughout North America and Europe, and a growing number of Asian, Middle Eastern, and South American countries, the SCTC offers you the opportunity to meet fellow professionals who share your business practices and objectives. Through the SCTC, you will find a wealth of opportunities to initiate and foster new business relationships resulting in more consulting opportunities, thoughts on how to build your practice, and ideas for serving your clients. Members have access to our consultant listserv, an invaluable source of information and support from other SCTC consultants; many members believe this benefit alone justifies their membership. 2. Educational Conferences SCTC members have the opportunity to participate in annual educational conferences at discounted rates. The Fall SCTC conference provides members with the latest technical and practice management information, enabling them to better serve their clients and compete in the marketplace. SCTC conferences draw from industry leaders for up to the minute technology trends, as well as business leaders for the most current business advice. 3. Educational Webinars The SCTC, intent on increasing our members knowledge and competitiveness, offers a variety of educational webinars. Designed specifically for the educational needs and desires of our members, these sessions include topics on practice management, making use of new technology, and case studies from successful consulting engagements. 4. Regulatory Attorney Support The SCTC s regulatory attorney, Martha Buyer, is available for routine inquiries, free of charge to SCTC Members. Buyer specializes in regulatory law, and regularly updates the membership through timely e mail notices, webinars, and at our annual conferences. This keeps members up to date on regulatory items that affect clients, and ensures competitiveness in the marketplace. 5. Practice Management & Marketing Support The SCTC provides its members with a multitude of services designed to manage and grow their consulting practices. The society provides mentoring for new consultants, access to experienced consultants for project assistance, and sample RFPs to aid in development of best practices. Members also have access to the consultants group pages on our website and our listserv, both invaluable sources of information and support from other consultant members. Click here to review SCTC membership requirements and to download an information packet and application. Page 3 of 5
SCTC Application Process In order to ensure that your application for membership is reviewed in a timely manner, please ensure that the following information is including with your submission to SCTC Headquarters: Membership Application completed in full o Ensure that you complete all items including the type of membership for which you are applying. Signed Copy of the Code of Ethics o Your signature indicating compliance with the Code of Ethics is required with your application. Employment History Including Dates o Provide this description as an attachment or provide a current résumé. Client Project and Industry References Form o Provide contact information and description. References will be contacted to ensure services were provided in compliance with the Code of Ethics. Standard Company Brochure o Provide a copy of the information you use to market your consulting services Applicants will be posted to the SCTC Member Web Site on the Friday of the week in which their application is received. The posting will remain on the site for a one month period, at which time it will be removed and kept onfile at SCTC Headquarters. A letter will be sent for signature to each reference along with a copy of the SCTC Code of Ethics. Clients will be informed that you are applying for SCTC membership, the number of projects you have listed, and asked if they feel that you have complied with the Code of Ethics during your client engagement. We will also welcome their comments regarding your professional relationship. The Membership Committee shall consider each application in closed session. The Membership Committee shall notify the applicant if further information is required. If the application for membership has been rejected, the Membership committee will notify the applicant and the Executive Committee, but in no event will anyone additional be informed. Upon an affirmative vote by the Membership Committee, passing the membership posting period of one month, and return of appropriate references, SCTC Headquarters will notify the new SCTC member in writing along with the initial membership dues invoice. Page 4 of 5
Consultant Membership Application Procedures Check List Name: Company: Application Completed in Full Signed Code of Ethics Resume/Work History (Include Mo/Yr) Reference Form (Five Projects, One or More Clients) Company Brochure and/or the information you use to market your consulting services Question / Comments: Page 5 of 5