About SPC
“Creating value for members and businesses
by developing consulting excellence.”
On this page:
Frequently Asked Questions
Member Benefits
Apply for Membership

The Society of Professional Consultants is a non-profit, New England-based resource organization for consultants who represent diverse disciplines and work in multiple industries. The Society was established in 1986 by consultants for consultants to create a dynamic peer network.

The network supports the growing community of professionals committed to developing successful independent consulting practices that responded to business community needs.

Achievement of this purpose is accomplished through the concept that members, by helping each other, will help The Society and themselves.

In addition to discount rates at all monthly meetings, workshops and seminars, Society of Professional Consultants members have access to career building educational, professional and business development resources.

Frequently Asked Questions About Membership in SPC

Who can join?

Membership is open to any person who consults to any industry in any discipline or is an aspiring consultant.

What is the make-up of the membership?

Our members are mostly independent consultants who either work from a home office or a small office with several employees.

Do you offer insurance discounts?

Yes, see below.

Can I join if I am outside your geographical area?

You can, however, the real benefits of SPC are our meetings, our events, our programs; and the camaraderie provided by networking with your peers.

Do you require any certification or qualifications?

 

The only qualification is that we ask all members to adhere to our
Standards of Conduct.

Do you know of other organizations like SPC in other parts of the country?

No. We are only aware of some of the national organizations that are industry specific with local Boston area chapters. There are links to these on our Resources page.

What are your dues?

Our dues are $175.00 per year.

How many members do you have?

We currently have approximately 100 active members.

How can I be notified of your events?

On our Home page and on our Calendar page is a link where you can subscribe to the Friends of SPC email list. You will receive notices of our meetings and events.

Does SPC take credit cards?

SPC takes online Visa and Mastercard payments for monthly meetings, special events and membership dues. This is through the online precessing site, PayPal. We cannot take credit payments over the telephone or at the door.
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SPC Member Benefits

 

Breakfast of Champions

This is a breakfast roundtable for SPC members. Each month, Breakfast of Champions takes aim at one business issue, and participants offer input, ideas and suggestions on how to address the issue. A facilitator moderates meetings. Topics have included fee structuring, expanding client opportunities, proposal writing and using contact management tools in your business. Members are encouraged to suggest breakfast topics.

Discounts

Members receive discounts on SPC meetings, workshops and seminars. They also receive discounts to meetings and events held by many of our Affiliate organizations.

Electronic newsletter

Consultants Communicate, published monthly,includes general interest items to consultants, SPC program and meeting notices, and news about fellow members.

E-Zines

Many of our members produce weekly or monthly E-Zines. We list these and the respective Web sites for subscription.

Insurance

 

Disability Insurance Discount

Since 1991, SPC has endorsed an Association Disability Benefits plan for its members, many of whom have enrolled.  The plan provides very competitive rates, excellent benefits, and offers SPC members a 15% discount.  It also offers unisex underwriting, which provides women members with substantial additional savings, compared to most plans which are sex distinct.  If you would like further information, please contact Bill Krauss, toll free, at 1-866-954-8300, or email Bill at alwill5@cox.net.  Bill is a 16 year member of SPC, and is very knowledgeable about this product.

 

Health Insurance

Health Services Administrators is Massachusetts' leading provider of employee benefits to small businesses.  Founded in 1969 specifically to bring cost-effective health insurance to the neglected small business market, they have grown to become a full service employee benefits firm and the voice of small business in Massachusetts. Today, they serve more than 47,000 companies and their more than 150,000 employees, utilizing proprietary technology to deliver a high level of service to members, brokers, and insurance carriers.


Above all, the experts at HSA recognize that you have a unique set of business needs. That's why they will give you special "one-of-a-kind" treatment and conduct a far-reaching search for the insurance plan that best suits your particular workforce, budget, insurance history, and company profile.  Here's a sampling of the carriers they work with to satisfy your requirements.


Massachusetts:

  • Aetna
  • Assurant Employee Benefits Dental
  • Delta Dental of Massachusetts
  • Fallon Community Health Plan
  • Harvard Pilgrim HeathCare
  • Health New England
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • UnitedHealthcare

Rhode Island:

  • Assurant Employee Benefits Dental
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
  • Delta Dental of Rhode Island
  • UnitedHealthcare

New Hampshire:

There may be a plan available, depending on where you live and where you work.  Contact Stephan to determine if you are eligible.

 

Benefits are available for companies with as few as one employee. 

Stephan K. Ward-Smith
Chamber/Association Relations
Health Service Administrators (HSA)
135 Wood Road
Braintree, MA 02184
(781) 228-2106 or (877) 777-4414 telephone
(781) 848-3826 fax
swardsmith@mbagroup.com

Auto and Home Insurance Discounts

Liberty Mutual is well-known for providing discounted programs to members of various associations and organizations around the world.
Massachusetts:
5% discount on Auto
5% discount on Home
18% multi-policy discount
Other states: contact Jeremy to determine if there is a plan and the applicable discounts

Other personal insurance is also available.  This includes: condominium, renters, valuable possessions coverage, personal liability protection and other personal insurances. 

Jeremy Paradis
Liberty Mutual
48 Sword Street, Suite 105
Auburn, MA 01501
(800) 852-8107 x52487 telephone
(508) 421-6581 fax
Jeremy.Paradis@LibertyMutual.com

LinkedIn

You are invited to join the Society of Professional Consultants' Group on LinkedIn.  Joining will allow you to find and contact other SPC members on LinkedIn.

The goal of this group is to help members:

  • Reach other members of SPC
  • Accelerate careers/business through referrals to and from SPC Group members
  • Learn more about your colleagues through the rich professional profiles of fellow SPC Group members

If you have not yet joined your colleagues, here's the link:
http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/25445/6A93645634C3

Members Only Website

With a password, member can access a private webpage to update their SPC member profile information, add themselves to the SPC Speaker’s Bureau, add their E-zine, access the SPC logo to include on printed materials, line SPC website to their own, and access various administrative documents and procedures.

Monthly Meetings

The Society of Professional Consultants' meetings offer a break from the independent consultant's routine. In a relaxed atmosphere, members and non-members network and hear area speakers on current business issues.

Published Articles

SPC posts current articles our members have had published in commercial newspapers, magazines and industry or organizational newsletters.

 Referral Service

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"Hire a Consultant" is SPC's free consultant referral service for the business community. Only current SPC members participate in the referral service. The individual member provides the information that is available to companies. Companies may search on-line at the SPC web site and/or contact SPC directly for information and referrals.
Note: SPC is not an employment agency. There is no charge for either the prospective client or the member consultant for the referral service. It is the responsibility of the prospective client and the consultant to contractually formalize a service relationship.

 Speaker's Bureau

SPC maintains a list of members who speak professionally. On this page you can view the topics specific to each speaker and see a short biography of each speaker with the titles of their specific speeches.

 Special Interest Groups (SIG’s)

SPC supports member sub-groups who meet regularly to discuss and explore specific topics of interest, such as the Biz Dev SIG. 

Access to various administrative documents and procedures

View a listing of our current Board of Directors, Articles of Organization, etc.

 

trans1x1Additional SPC Benefits are being planned for the remainder of 2009 and throughout 2010.
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Apply for Membership

You can apply for membership either through this Website, or by written application.
Click on the “On-Line” link below to view the application form.

  • On-line: Complete the electronic web-based form.

  • Written Application:
    SPC is happy to fax or mail a membership application. To request an application, send e-mail to
    , call the SPC office at (978) 692-6950 or send a fax to (978) 692-7672.

The Society of Professional Consultants
P.O. Box 67192
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
 
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