Apply on-line There are are 5 types of membership: Full [Full Member Practising and Full Member Non-practising (formerly 'Retired')] : a qualified teacher of speech and drama with State Degrees or Speech and Drama Diplomas from major Examining Boards. Associate [Associate Member Practising and Associate Member Non-practising]: Open to experienced teachers without formal teaching qualifications who are recommended by a Member of Council who has seen evidence of their work. Friend: Interested in - but not teaching speech and/or drama. Corporate: Available to Educational Establishments, Drama Schools or Colleges, Examination Boards and Business Companies.  Student:  Applicants studying for one of the Full membership qualifications OR those holding Grade VIII certificate or its equivalent (eg: LAMDA Gold Medal in Verse & Prose).  Students studying for an external Diploma should be sponsored by their tutor. (Overseas enquirers will be considered for all types of membership (except Associate) at reduced rates. FULL membership will be considered for those working in the field of speech and drama and with qualifications equivalent to those required in the UK.) The Society now offers its members the following benefits and amenities Free and post free copies of its Journal, Word Matters (formerly Speech and Drama) and of the Newsletter. These are published two and three times respectively each year. Various information sheets, including an annually updated Fees Guidance Leaflet, Address Lists, a Professional Etiquette leaflet and others. A list of available leaflets is obtainable from the Secretary. The opportunity to attend Regional Meetings, recitals and  other functions organised locally by the Regional Representatives. The opportunity to attend a Three-Day Residential Summer Conference held each year in a different location chosen for its interest and the facilities available; a One-Day Conference held in association with the Society's Annual Meeting and Luncheon; a One-Day Professional Development Day, usually held the day after the Annual Meeting. Free advice on such matters as training and possibilities for careers in Speech and Drama, for members and students. Inclusion in a Register of Members, which is circulated internationally. Members who give private tuition may, if they so wish, indicate in their record that they teach privately in order to attract enquiries from students. They may also be included on the Web site ...database Advice on professional problems. (The Society cannot give legal aid or advice, but can help on various problems concerning terms of employment and a number of minor matters which may arise in the course of your work.) STSD ...INSURANCE SCHEME: The Society has recognised the need to provide Members with a cost effective insurance scheme specifically designed for teachers of speech and drama plus schools/establishments with cover available through Heath Lambert Group.  If Members fail to protect themselves with liability insurance their personal assets could be at risk following injury, loss, damage to property or financial loss including legal costs in defending any action.   Cover is given, inter alia, for activities relating to the disciplines of choral-speaking, dance-drama, dramatic-art, improvisation, mime, music-and-movement, musical-theatre, stage-craft, voice and speech training.   Members are recommended to protect themselves and their assets with the liability cover available.  An application form, with fuller information, may be obtained from Heath Lambert Group FREEPOST WR657 Brierley Hill West Midlands DY5 1BR. email : STSD@heathlambert.com   Discounts are available at Samuel French's Theatre Bookshop, London. Application Form