History of Free Speech Speakers Bureau

From Ginny Richardson’s work at The Doings Newspapers and later in public relations, she accumulated a vast network of people including program chairmen from clubs and organizations. These folks would call and ask if she knew anyone who gave talks for one of their upcoming meetings. Ginny always recommended friends and clients who have a talk and who are entertaining speakers. The speakers’ motivations were to teach others, tell of a personal mission, or be better known in the community.

This very casual list of speakers grew. In the spring of 1996, Ginny named it Free Speech and formalized the list. Jan Urso and Pam Livingston, two GR-PR employees, worked on the Free Speech project and sent many a mailer to clubs, chambers, Rotary and Kiwanis groups, churches, etc. Requests began to multiply.

Mary Peterson Kauffold, a writer from the Chicago Tribune, heard about Free Speech and wrote a brief four paragraph story that appeared in late July 1996. Her headline did a play on words and called Free Speech “cheap talk”. The power of the press; in one day, Free Speech received more than 100 phone calls.

What is surprising is the number of people interested in becoming speakers in the bureau – very high level people, all with experience and willingness to give a talk, unconcerned about the size of the audience or the donated time. They are screened and asked for materials about their talk. Only one or two people were misguided about the purpose of the bureau. They had a product to sell and of course, that is not appropriate. Many speakers are authors. Books may be brought to the talk, but the selling pitch needs to be very low-key.

After years of running the bureau out-of-pocket, it was decided to assess speakers a one-time-only membership fee of $25 to join, just to cover administrative costs. In 2010 the fee was raised to $35 due to increasing internet and administrative costs. At year’s end, speakers are asked for a donation, the amount of which is up to them. There is still no charge from Free Speech or GR-PR to the club or group, nor can the speaker charge the group.

It is a labor of love for everyone involved at GR-PR, and one and all are proud of the speakers and the wide variety of topics offered. Today, there are more than 150 speakers. And it keeps growing.

Ginny Richardson Public Relations

Ginny Richardson Public Relations (GR-PR) is a Hinsdale, IL based public relations firm specializing in media relations for business, healthcare, entertainment, and the arts.

GR-PR helps its family of clients by going after free inches in newspapers and magazines, free minutes on television and radio, and space using social media. Stories end up online, in blogs, in the coveted news and feature sections, and as TV and radio segments, not as paid advertising.

After a 30-year career in journalism and public relations, president Ginny Richardson and her staff know what is news, know how to present feature ideas to writers, editors and TV producers and know how to represent clients to the media – with professionalism, warmth and excellence in the written word.

Other services offered include publicity presentations (as keynotes or classes), crisis PR, media training, website writing and design, freelance writing, PR for special events, marketing plans, speech writing, ghost writing, advertising, advertorial writing, and PR counsel.

Our Philosophy
To represent a client to the media or the public in a manner that is timely, absolutely accurate and properly professional. To present information that is irresistible to an audience, editor, or program director.

Our Business Objective
To communicate; to write, speak, teach, lead, listen, and learn; to work as a team, to make a difference; and to make a buck.

For more information please visit Ginny Richardson Public Relations.