Refund Policy

01Scope of this policy

This Refund Policy applies to fees paid to the Society of Management Executives (“SOME”) for membership, applications and assessments, credentials, development programmes, events and related services, whether paid to the global secretariat or to a regional office such as SOME Nigeria. It forms part of our Terms of Service.

Nothing in this policy affects any rights you have under consumer protection laws in your country that cannot legally be excluded, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 in Nigeria.

02Membership fees — no-refund policy

This no-refund policy applies to every form of direct professional membership with SOME – Associate, Fellow, Executive Fellow and any other grade – including new memberships, upgrades to a higher grade, annual renewals and reinstatements, whether paid online, by bank transfer or through a SOME regional office.

Membership fees will not be refunded for

• Change of mind – including requests made shortly after payment;
• Unused time – there are no partial or pro-rata refunds if you cancel part-way through a membership year. Your membership simply stays active until the end of the period you paid for;
• Unused benefits – such as peer circles, chapter events, resources or CPD opportunities you did not take up;
• Renewals – including renewals you forgot to cancel before the renewal date;
• Suspension or removal – where membership is suspended or withdrawn because of false information, misrepresentation or a breach of the SOME Code of Conduct.

Limited exceptions

• Duplicate or incorrect payments – if you were charged twice, or charged more than the published or confirmed fee, we will refund the excess in full.
• Application not accepted – if we decline your application for membership, any membership subscription you paid in advance is refunded. Application, review and interview fees are retained because the assessment has been carried out.
• Where the law requires it – this policy does not remove any rights you have under consumer protection law that cannot legally be excluded.

Alternatives to a refund

If serious illness, bereavement or genuine financial hardship stops you from using your membership, contact us. At our discretion, we may defer your membership for up to 12 months so that you do not lose the time you paid for. Membership is personal and cannot be transferred to another person.

03Application and assessment fees

Fees for other routes, grades and regions are confirmed in writing before you pay. Assessment fees pay for the review itself, so they are not refunded if your application is unsuccessful.

Missed interviews

If you miss a scheduled interview without notice, the interview fee is forfeited and a new interview fee applies. If you cannot attend because of a genuine emergency, contact us within 7 days and we will normally offer a free reschedule.

04Credential programmes and events

You may transfer an event place to a colleague at no cost by letting us know before the event.

05If SOME cancels or changes a service

If we cancel an interview, programme or event, or change its date or format in a way that does not suit you, you can choose either a free transfer to another date or a full refund of the fee you paid for that service. We are not responsible for travel, accommodation or other costs you incur, so we recommend booking flexible travel arrangements.

06Non-refundable situations

Refunds will not be given where:

• the payment is for direct professional membership, an upgrade or a renewal (see Membership fees — no-refund policy), other than the limited exceptions listed there;
• the payment is an application, portfolio review, interview or assessment fee and your application has been submitted;
• membership or a credential is refused, suspended or revoked because of false information, misrepresentation or a breach of the SOME Code of Conduct;
• your application is unsuccessful – decisions do not create a right to a refund;
• you paid an individual or unofficial agent rather than following SOME’s written payment instructions;
• for honorary, nomination-only or invitation-only grades, where no fee is normally charged.

07How to request a refund

1. Email info@tsome.org with the subject line “Refund Request”.
2. Include your full name, membership or application reference (if you have one), the service you paid for, the payment date and amount, and the reason for your request.
3. Attach your payment receipt and any supporting evidence.

We will acknowledge your request within 3 business days and give you a decision within 10 business days.

08How refunds are paid

• Approved refunds are made to the original payment method within 10 business days of approval. Your bank or card provider may take a few more days to show the credit.
• Refunds are made in the currency of the original payment. We are not responsible for exchange-rate differences or charges made by your bank.
• Third-party payment processing fees that cannot be recovered by SOME may be deducted, and we will tell you if this applies.
• If you paid a SOME regional office in local currency (for example in Naira to SOME Nigeria), your refund will be processed through that office under this policy.

09Payment disputes

If you are unhappy with a charge, please contact us before raising a dispute or chargeback with your bank – we can usually resolve the issue faster. If a chargeback is raised, membership or credential benefits linked to that payment may be suspended while the dispute is investigated.

10Changes to this policy

We may update this Refund Policy from time to time. The version in force when you made your payment will apply to that payment.

11Contact us

Questions about a payment or refund?