Free Speech fills the bill for groups seeking speakers

By: Laura Zahn Pohl

Steve Davis of Hinsdale Hospital enjoys talking about health care trends in the ‘90s.

Bob Gould of Downers Grove likes to find free speakers on relevant topics for weekly meetings of the Fairview Village Kiwanians.

Chances are they’ll meet someday—if they haven’t already—through a network called Free Speech.

Now into its second year, this local speakers’ bureau includes 63 people who are willing to share their expertise for free. Free Speech has filled more than 800 speaking engagements since its inception in July, 1996.

The network was founded by Ginny Richardson of GRPR, owner of the Hinsdale-based public relations firm of GRPR. She first started informally, matching her clients with local service club officers who called her.

“I loved the feeling of matchmaking,” said Richardson.

As she pondered the opportunities for developing a formalized system, the issue of money plagued the process. How should Richardson charge people? Who would get the fee? Did she really have the time to promote speakers who paid to be part of the bureau?

“Finally I said, ‘Oh just forget it,’” she laughed. “So that’s why Free Speech is just what it says it is—free to the speaker and free to the group."

Richardson did develop an efficient process for registering her speakers and connecting them with the inquiries she receives. One of the only rules she sets down is that personal promotion of services and books must remain very low key.

Among her most popular speakers is Timothy Robieson, D.D.S., of Willowbrook, who is known as the “bagpiping dentist.” Circuit Judge Bonnie Wheaton will share “Tales from the Bench,” a behind-the-scenes look at justice in DuPage County. Larry Dybis of People Dynamics in Western Springs talks on attitude enhancement and “Training Elephants, Frogs and Fleas.”

Other Free Speech subjects range from taxes to hernias to communication skills to interior design to video surveillance to travel in Alaska.

“No one has turned us down, except when the date was a conflict,” said Bob Gould, who has booked speakers for his Kiwanis Club for 12 years. Among the group’s favorite speakers were Anna Wildermuth of Elmhurst, who has discussed the importance of one’s appearance; Dennis and Ruth Gibson of Wheaton, who spoke on humor; and Dr. Robert Beatty of Hinsdale, who discussed neck and back pain.

Davis, vice president of planning and marketing at Hinsdale Hospital, achieves many objectives through his speeches about health care trends. He averages about one service club engagement a month.

“I can find out what people are thinking—it’s impromptu market research,” said Davis. “I usually get some spirited discussion at the end.”

People from the audience may approach him afterward for advice on a particular problem. “I’ve been able to help them find some solutions to their problems,” he said. “In general people are frustrated with the health care system, although in many cases, those frustrations are related to insurance.”

Davis also views his speaking engagements as a way to “rebuild some of the dialogue” which has been lacking between health care providers and the general public.

With speakers willing to take the podium and a public eager for information, Free Speech continues to flourish. And there are benefits to the program for Richardson, as well, although she admits they may not necessarily show up directly on the bottom line.

“It keeps me visible,” she said. “I sure pass out a lot of business cards. And I’ve made a lot of new friends. But basically, I have 63 people who love public speaking. Myself included.”

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The Business Ledger
May, 1998