Tasks and Goals
The Berufsverband Schweizerischer ZeremonienleiterInnen is committed to the professionalisation of its members and of the profession as a whole.
Through quality assurance and the establishment of training standards, we work towards lasting professional recognition for our members. The association seeks to strengthen the position and role of celebrants and the professionalism of independent ceremonies, among them welcome ceremonies, weddings and farewell ceremonies.
Our work raises the profile of the profession, gives our members a network and a professional presence, and provides a point of contact for other associations, the media and clients.
Our association is non-profit, politically independent and denominationally neutral.
Code of Honour and Membership Regulations
Our members abide by a code of honour and our membership regulations. The key points are:
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Client focus
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Quality over quantity
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Creativity and respect for intellectual property
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Clear communication
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Professionalism
With the Berufsverband SZL we want to strengthen and establish the profession of the celebrant in Switzerland. Thanks to our outstandingly trained and experienced members, we offer a qualified foundation and are the point of contact for every aspect of symbolic, independent ceremonies in Switzerland. It is meant to be an association of and for celebrants who share the same commitment to quality and professionalism and actively stand up for it. The positive response from clients and from the industry confirms that we took the right step, and I am proud to be part of it.
Executive Board
The executive board is made up as follows (as of July 2022):
Evelyne Ekdahl
Evelyne Ekdahl ZeremonienMedia, Vice President, Co-founder
Simone Gori
lovely wordsMarketing, Board member
Head office
The head office of the association is run virtually and by the executive board. It can be reached by email and by post.
Review
We naturally submit ourselves to an annual review.
Our association is far more than just another seal of quality. Yes, we stand for the quality we offer our clients, that is true. But quality also means being so well connected that in an emergency someone is there for you without ifs or buts, ready to step in - experiencing that for real was infinitely valuable to me.
I am a member of the Berufsverband SZL because professionalism matters deeply to me in everything I do. And that is exactly what the association stands for - the professionalisation of our wonderful profession. As a member I have the opportunity to take part in targeted further training and can draw on a network of wonderful colleagues. I value this mutual support enormously and it enriches my work as a wedding celebrant. That is why I am proud to be a member of the SZL and part of a great community.
The Value of Membership
Are you thinking of joining us? We would be delighted! To make the decision easier, we have summarised here what a membership in the Berufsverband Schweizerischer ZeremonienleiterInnen brings you. We are a young association and are developing all the time, so this list will almost certainly grow, perhaps with your help?
You are part of a network you can rely on.
As a self-employed, independent entrepreneur you understand what it takes to position yourself successfully in the market. The association brings together like-minded people who campaign for the same cause. Synergies can be pooled, and what is sometimes hard to achieve alone suddenly becomes possible. Our exchange meetings leave room for questions, input and creative approaches that benefit everyone. With the association you have a place where needs and questions can be raised. If need be, members step in for one another.
The association works for you.
You benefit from the various measures that the Berufsverband SZL regularly launches and implements. We plan a range of activities such as joint trade fair appearances, information events and a stronger media presence. In concrete terms, you benefit from mutual recommendations and from the booking enquiries we expect to receive via the association.
You receive a quality label.
As a member of the Berufsverband SZL you meet quality requirements in terms of training, further education and experience that you can be proud of. At regular intervals you undertake further training in order to keep improving your skills and maintain them at a high level. Your membership lets you show this to the outside world.
Why am I a member of the association? Because quality matters. Especially in a moment as personal as a ceremony, quality, professionalism and warmth come first. Whether it is a welcome ceremony, a wedding or a farewell ceremony, the personal touch is what counts and reliability is a must. At the association members are carefully vetted, we know each other personally, exchange ideas regularly, give each other valuable tips, and workshops are offered as well. Every single member is a celebrant heart and soul, and every member is as unique as the stories of my clients. It is simply wonderful to be able to rely on such a great team. For me and for my clients.
At last couples can turn to the Swiss association of qualified and motivated celebrants and see for themselves. The exchange and the personal meetings with my association mates are so valuable and always a highlight!
Becoming a Member
- We would be delighted if you wanted to become a member of the association. The statutes set out what benefits the membership holds for you. To become an active member, you must meet the following requirements:
- You accept our code of honour.
- You are willing to attend a personal admission interview with two members of the executive board. It is based on a ceremony you have written yourself and submitted in advance.
- You have led at least 5 ceremonies. The field (farewell, wedding or welcome ceremony) does not matter.
- You practise your work as a celebrant in Switzerland.
- You conduct at least 8 ceremonies per year.
- You reach at least 30 points in the admission matrix below.
Member matrix
As a professional association we are committed to quality standards within our industry. We have therefore defined admission criteria that reflect our quality requirements and make it possible to decide on admission to or rejection from the association. Admission is assessed and evaluated using the matrix below. Admission to the association requires at least 30 points before the executive board can make a recommendation to the active members.
| Criterion | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of training in the field of ceremonies | None, or online-only training | 50/50 model or one-to-one coaching | At least 80% in-person training | 2 |
| Professional background | distant | moderate | close | 1 |
| Years in business as a celebrant | 0–4 | 5–8 | more than 8 | 2 |
| Number of ceremonies at the time of application | 5–10 | 11–30 | more than 30 | 2 |
| Marketing and online presence | not present | partly present | present | 1 |
| Are prices communicated transparently? | No | partly transparent | Yes | 1 |
| Contracts and terms of business in place, professional invoicing, AHV (social security) accounting | No | Yes | 1 | |
| Technical equipment | not available | partly available | available | 1 |
| Positive customer feedback (reviews, testimonials) | No | Yes | 1 | |
| Recommendation by the board | No | With reservations | Yes | 2 |
Minimum score required for admission: 30 points
The maximum score is: 42 points
Membership costs CHF 250 per year and starts on the day you register.
If you meet the requirements and would like to join us, send your completed membership application form to info@berufsverband-szl.ch
I am a member of the association because I value the exchange with experienced celebrants immensely. There is an extremely supportive and helpful atmosphere within the association. On top of that, the association offers great and interesting further training opportunities (social media, rhetoric, speaking, etc.)