WELCOME
Below you will find information on joining the SWA as well as basic information on our competitively priced insurance. You will also find our Code of Conduct for you to view before deciding whether or not to join the SWA as a full Guild member or simply to become a friend. If you are a ex member from the year before we moved to paid memberships you will have automatically become a friend, you will then need to download the application pack available in the guild members section under the button "Membership pack" simply download the form from there.
If you have not yet joined before you will need to first join the SWA as a friend by clicking on the "Join now" button at the bottom of this page before the code of conduct. You will then receive your friends membership number and will be able to then go and download the membership pack as stated above.
Because we aim to ensure the highest standards of our members, we reserve the right to suspend membership of anyone who brings the SWA Guild into disrepute. We also reserve the right to refuse membership of the Guild. Although Friends of the SWA are not members the above also applies.
MEMBERSHIP INFO.
Join today from just £4.98 per month and enjoy the following benefits:
- The support of a large organisation that fights for your recognition in the spiritual industry in the eyes of the law
- Access to our very competitive insurance premiums
- The use of the organisation's letters after your name MGSW Member of the Guild of Spiritual Workers
- A full colour professional monthly trade magazine
- Legal Advice Helpline
- Membership Card/Badge
- Accountancy Advice Helpline
- Social networking site
- Various guides to self employment, sample disclaimers and updates on the law
- Discounts over non members on forthcoming products and services still being negotiated on your behalf
(Please note the advertised rate of £4.98 per month is the figure an indiviudal within a partnership membership would have to pay, I.E half of the £9.95 per month after the deposit was paid. This figure is used to show the minimum level cost and value of monthly membership. The actual Individual membership when paid by standing order after the deposit is £6.85 per month as shown in detail below)
Individual membership
Prices for individual membership are £90 per year and can be paid upfront by cheque, cash or postal order or can be broken down into more manageable monthly payments and paid by Standing Order. The deposit is £7.80 followed by 12 monthly payments of just £6.85. This represents great value for money and at no extra charge for the convenience of paying monthly
Membership for couples
The price for couples (those who are married or cohabiting) is £135 per year which represents even better value for money. As with individual membership it can be paid upfront by cheque, cash or postal order or it can be broken down into more manageable monthly payments and paid by standing order. The deposit is £15.60 followed by 12 monthly payments of just £9.95. This represents great value as individually it is equivalent to just £4.98 each per month. Again there is also no extra charge for the convenience of paying monthly.
Standing Order
We chose Standing Order over Direct Debit as this gives you control over the amount, date and duration of your payments. Standing Orders can also be more easily cancelled than Direct Debits. All you need to do is contact your bank and ask them to set up a Standing Order for the relevant amount payable on a date that suits you as long as the frequency is once a month at the stated amount. You will need to set this up using your SWA Membership Number/SWA as a reference so we know where the payment has come from.The SWA's bank details to set the Standing Order up to are on the membership application forms.
Legal advice helpline
This is a unlimited usuage service and is a fantastic bennefit of being a full member of the guild.
Insurance Premiums
The Insurance Premiums are a separate cost to actual SWA membership but still represent exceptional value for money. We have managed to secure a low rate on your behalf because as a member of the SWA you are agreeing to adhere to the Code of Conduct.
Please Note: you have to be a member to take advantage of these low insurance prices and if paying by standing order you will need to maintain the monthly premiums or run the risk of not being covered. If you cancel your SWA membership or let the payments lapse you will not be covered by the insurance company and any premiums paid will be forfeit. You do not have to have insurance with us and are welcome to shop around, we are however sure that you will see that like for like policies of the same standards as the one we offer, at the price we are offering are very hard to come by.
Insurance
The SWA offers its members the opportunity to purchase insurance through the West of Scotland Insurance brokers (motor and general) Ltd. The policy is underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance and is a block policy that runs from May to May. This means that this year, it runs from May the 6th 2009 to May the 5th 2010. If you were to join in say January 2010 you would still need to pay the full premium but only be covered up to May the 5th 2010. this is the nature of the Block policy and is one reason why the policy is so competitive.
This insurance is extremely competitive when compared with other ‘like for like’ policies. As with any purchase individuals should check carefully to make sure they understand exactly what they are getting when choosing their insurance cover. Cheaper cover does not always mean better cover as you invariably get what you pay for.
The premiums quoted below are ONLY available to SWA Guild members as they are dependant on adherence to the SWA Code Of Professional Conduct.
**Please note** that where it says "Plus All Category 1" in the chart below this means that you simply pay the higher price category 2 of £32.33 and gain access to the category 1 list services as well, you do not have to pay both prices. You will still need to tell the insurance brokers though which services you specifically require as they will not automatically cover you for all category 1 services as it sugests in the chart. The same applies to category 3 and 4.
NB: If you are paying membership monthly and do not keep up your membership payments your insurance may be invalid. If there are problems with your standing order please contact us immediately. If your membership lapses for any other reason your insurance may also become invalid.
Please contact Barbra Mclaughlin at the West of Scotland Insurance brokers for all enquiries regarding insurance, her number is 01475 888444 after 12.30 Mon to Friday. you can also email her on barbara@wos-ltd.co.uk you will however only be able to get information and will not be allowed to take out the policy until you are a full guild member of the SWA
If you have any general questions about the SWA or It's membership please contact the SWA offices and speak to Simon between 9.00 and 5.15 mon to friday on 01656 865696.
Please note if you want to join as a full Guild member you will be expected to adhere to a code of professional conduct as outlined below.
SWA CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
All members of the SWA will:
• Act in the best interests of their clients and the SWA
• Act in the interests of their own personal safety and wellbeing and those of their clients
• Treat clients, patients and members of the public with respect and courtesy.
• Take responsibility for their words and actions when working with the public and act in an appropriate manner.
• Give serious consideration to having insurance. At the moment this is not a legal requirement for all disciplines but given the current uncertainty and the litigious society in which we live, the SWA would advise that all spiritual workers do take out insurance, either through the SWA or through other organisations.
• Always have a chaperone present when supplying spiritual, mediumistic and psychic services to people under the age of 18.
• Always seek parental consent in writing when supplying spiritual, mediumistic and psychic services to people under the age of 18.
• Always have a chaperone present when supplying spiritual, mediumistic and psychic services to those who could be considered vulnerable and people of the opposite sex where appropriate.
• Always seek owner’s written consent when supplying spiritual, mediumistic and psychic services to animals.
• Continually seek to improve and develop their knowledge and abilities through, wherever possible, recognised training and certification.
• Accept that we all have limitations and should therefore be ready to seek advice, help and assistance from those whose experience may be greater than theirs.
• Respect the beliefs, philosophy and creeds of others
• Keep any information acquired in the course of their work confidential unless it is required by law or it is contrary to the public interest.
• Work within the Data Protection Act
• Work within the law of the UK and/or the country in which they are working.
• Use language that can easily be understood by clients and explain anything that they do not understand
Members of the SWA will not:
• Break the Code of Conduct
• Falsify any documentation. This includes, but is not limited to: records, reference forms, membership of organisations, training, awards, certification, and qualifications.
• Make unsubstantiated claims
• Use unacceptable behaviour towards a client, colleague or any member of the public. Unacceptable behaviour includes but is not limited to the following: verbal or physical assault, provocation, threat, profane language or insolence, sexual intimidation, harassment, bullying.
• Discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, politics, religion, creed, age, sexuality, ability or in any other way that contravenes discrimination laws, the Core Values or the seven Spiritual Principles of the SWA.
• Humiliate, embarrass, undermine, belittle or deliberately cause offence to anyone.
• Behave in a way that is likely to bring the SWA into disrepute or reflect badly on themselves or the other members of the SWA.
The SWA would also like to remind members of the public that a contract works both ways. Spiritual workers are also entitled to be treated with respect and courtesy and do not have to put up with unacceptable behaviour from their clients.