Speakers find eager audiences

By: Ginny Skweres
Daily Herald Correspondent

Sometimes, it’s possible to get something for nothing.

One of those rare opportunities is available through Free Speech, a speakers bureau offered by Ginny Richardson.

Richardson, president of a public relations firm called GRPR, matches speakers to those who request them. There is no charge for the speaker or the service.
 

Richardson began a speakers bureau for the clients of her public relations business as a way to increase their visibility in the community. The service was such a hit, Richardson decided to open it up so anyone could register as a speaker, whether they are clients of hers or not.

“Public relations is matchmaking, and this is matchmaking at its finest,” Richardson says. “It’s networking that is formalized.”

“Who makes money? No one,” Richardson said. “The public is incredulous. But it comes back. If nothing else, I’ve made a gaggle of new friends.”

Richardson gets six or seven requests for her list of speakers every day, she said.

When she gets a request for a speaker, Richardson says, “I tell the speaker and bow out. They have three days to call back, and everyone is wonderful about it. They arrange the date, time and directions.”

Judy McGah of the Illinois Department of Labor has organized a job search club that meets weekly in the Bensenville library. McGah has used a number of Richardson’s speakers on a variety of topics.

“She’s been a lifesaver for me,” McGah said of Richardson. “The people she gets me are such quality.”

The Downers Grove Rotary Club, which has a weekly speaker, has used the Free Speech service.

“She’s saved my bacon,” member Hank Kupper said. “They’ve been a good mix of speakers and on interesting topics.”

Kupper said the quality of the speakers seems to be reflected in the group’s attendance, which has increased.

“I can’t be too complimentary,” he said.

Author Bob Bapes makes two or three presentations a month for Free Speech and loves it.

“For me personally, it gives me a soapbox and a captive audience—it doesn’t get any better than that,” he said. “It’s my way of giving back to society.”

Bapes speaks about how to unleash creativity and the essentials of the creative process, material from his book, “Idea Doc’s Rx for Creativity.”

“It’s amazing the contacts I make, and that’s been fabulous. It’s a super service for service organizations without deep pockets.”

Jane Flagello, coach and consultant for Direction Dynamics Inc., is also a member of Free Speech. She talks about personal growth and development and business changes.

“I responded to it because it was a give-back and a great service,” Flagello said. “It’s a win-win situation all the way around. It’s given me exposure since career coaching is new in the Midwest.”

“Rotaries, the Lions, chambers and Kiwanis work hard to do good work. It’s the least I can do. I love speaking in front of people,” she said.

Richardson’s list of speakers is seven pages long, and she frequently updates it.

“Every speaker is motivated because they are experts in their field and they love to teach. Each one is a bit of an actor. They love an audience,” Richardson said.

“I’m so proud of my speakers. None of them will take money. The most they get is a free lunch,” she said.

###

Daily Herald
Thursday, August 28, 1997