Speaking from experience

‘Free Speech’ popular with local clubs, organizations

By Kathleen Cantwell

For local clubs and civic groups, Free Speech is more than a right to say what you think—it’s a service that provides a full roster of knockout speakers at absolutely no cost.

To organizations whose funds are limited or directed to good causes, it is a free way to make weekly or monthly meetings interesting and draw attendance is critical.

Free Speech, the brainchild of GRPR president Ginny Richardson, has now been around for four years. GRPR is in Hinsdale.

Bob Gould, founder and program director of the Downers Grove Golden K Kiwanis Club at Fairview Village, has been using the service for most of that time.

Before he started the Golden K Club a few years ago, Gould was program director for Downers Grove’s Evening Kiwanis.

“I’ve been lining up programs, one a week, for 15 years. It really hit a gold mine when I found out about this program of Ginny Richardson’s,” Gould said, adding that his presentations get compliments and attendance.

“You want to provide programs that stimulate people to come to the meeting,’ according to Hank Kupper, Dowers Grove Rotary Club program director.

In the past year, the Downers Grove Rotary has doubled its membership, at a time when many service clubs are losing members, Kupper said. He thinks the quality of the club’s programs is one reason for the club’s growth and Free Speech is a key contributor to those quality programs.

“There are probably a lot of other clubs out there who could utilize their services,” Kupper said.

“Most of our membership is local businessmen who come for the fellowship, but a good speaker is entertaining,” said Guy Leonardo, Westmont Rotary Club program director.

He discovered Free Speech a little more than a year ago when it was recommended to him by Westmont Chamber of Commerce director Nancy Martens.

For all three men and their members, one of the things that appeals most about Free Speech is the wide variety of speakers and topics.

Ralph Keyes from Eastman Kodak, who gives tips on taking better pictures, is a particular favorite. Dick Anderson, who does one-man shows as Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and Will Rogers is also popular.

There are cardiologists, dentists, nutritionists and other health professionals who share their knowledge on health-care issues.

There are financial specialists who give expert advice on everything from investment to estate planning to how to save money on property taxes. There’s even an opera singer who sings and tells jokes.

At this point, there are 80 different talks available, Richardson said. And the wide range of subjects available includes everything from school violence to employee motivation and bird watching to how to look your best.

“The speakers are very generous people, all experts in their fields,” Richardson said.

And those who have used them agree most really know their subjects and present them well.

“The speakers have something to sell, but they’re not hard sell. They’re telling what’s being done in the field,” Gould said.

And, because many of the speakers are, of course, professionals who have offices in the area, Free Speech benefits local businesses as well.

Those who have used Free Speech say it’s very easy. The service provides a list of speakers and topics available.

As the need arises, the program directors fax or call in the speakers they’re interested in and the date and time they’re needed.

The speakers then call the program directors to work out the details.

Not only can a whole line-up of speakers be scheduled ahead of time, the service also works well on very short notice, Kupper said.

Free Speech has been so successful that Richardson has been approached several times about changing the service’s set-up to become a profit-generating organization, but she isn’t interested.

She’d rather fill the needs of those groups who depend on weekly speakers and have, literally, no budget for them.

“Maybe it isn’t the savviest of business decisions, but the personal satisfaction is the pay-off,” Richardson said.

“I’d be frightened to the dickens if she ever gets out of it (providing the service),” Kupper said.

More information on Free Speech is available by calling (630) 789-8555.

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SE Progress
Friday November 24, 2000