Option (a) A short news release – with added ‘notes for editors’
NEWS RELEASE – IRELAND & UK TOASTMASTERS Date: NN Month 2006 FAO: Journalist’s Name Embargo: None Further information: Joe Gibbs Contact tel 353 86 8575541
Story tag line: Irish inspiration Word count: 296 Notes for Editors: See page 2 Email: joe.gibbs@snapon.ie
Irish inspiration wins world number 4 ranking In 2006, after a year of sustained performance, a group of ordinary people, inspired by one extraordinary woman, scooped 4th place in the world against counterparts in over 90 countries. Leader of the successful team was Lynda Molloy from Bray, Co.Wicklow, District Governor - Ireland and UK2005-2006. An incredible achievement particularly since many of these people were not even aware they were in competition and were simply trying to overcome one of the greatest fear’s known to man or woman – Public Speaking. Lynda’s motto, ‘Realise your potential within’, inspired 4,000 members of Ireland & UK’s 169 clubs to overcome nerves, step outside their comfort zone and become better communicators and leaders. The District’s 4th in the world ranking is its highest-ever achieved. Excellence was rewarded in educational achievement, membership growth and club administration. Lynda collected the award, along with her executive team colleagues, in Washington, DC, USA at the Annual Convention of parent organisation Toastmasters International. Lynda is the first to admit her leadership achievement results directly from encouragement and support received in the 10 years since she joined ‘Toastmasters’. She admits: “When I first walked into my local Bray club, I was terrified of standing up to speak”. Public Relations Officer, Joe Gibbs, who’s governed clubs in south-west Ireland, adds “our members are building confidence and developing speaking and leadership skills that will benefit them in public, work and private life. Among many people we help are housewives, teachers, bankers, farmers, tradesmen, engineers, accountants and community leaders”. World wide, the organisation has helped over 3 million people to fulfil the vision of ‘Making effective communication a world-wide reality.’ For more information and to find a club near you, visit www.d71.org or call Joe Gibbs 353 86 8575541
Notes for editors – see page 2
NOTES FOR EDITORS
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About Ireland & UK Toastmasters 1 Ireland and UK (District 71) is one of 78 districts in the Toastmasters International organisation (see below). Toastmasters first came to Ireland in the 1950’s. 2 The District comprises of over 169 clubs of which over half are based in Ireland. 3 15 Irish members have won the District’s annual inspirational speech contest. Marie Pyne, of Ennis Club went on to win the World Speaking Championship. 17 Irish members have served as District Governor. 4 In 2006, under the leadership of Lynda Molloy, Bray Toastmasters Club Member, the District achieved 4th in the World for its achievements over twelve months. Her motto was ‘Realise your potential within’. 5 District 71 has ‘chartered’ more than 50 new clubs in the last five years. and has helped over 30,000 members to acquire, develop and apply their skills in public speaking as better communicators and leaders. 6 We help ordinary people from all walks of life, ages and abilities – including those with learning and communication challenges. 7 The District web site is www.d71.org where you can find out more, including the nearest club to you. About Toastmasters International 1 The world’s leading, not-for-profit, equal-opportunity, organisation dedicated to promoting and achieving excellence in communication and leadership. Its vision is ‘Making effective communication a world-wide reality’ 2 Celebrated 80 years of service in its field in 2004. 3 Over 4 million people helped worldwide over the last four decades. 4 The non-profit organization now has approximately 211,000 members in 10,500 clubs in 90 countries around the globe. 5 Every 2 minutes, somewhere in the world, a Toastmasters Club meets, providing opportunities for around 20 or more people to grow in competence and in confidence in communication and leadership skills. 6 The Toastmasters International web site is www.toastmasters.org
Option (b) Picture caption story with added ‘notes for editors’
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NEWS RELEASE – IRELAND & UK TOASTMASTERS Date: NN Month 2006 FAO: Journalist’s Name Embargo: None Further information: Joe Gibbs Contact tel 353 986 8575541
Story tag line: Irish inspiration Picture/s attached Word count: 133 Notes for Editors: See page 2 Email: joe.gibbs@snapon.ie
Inspiration – Irish style! Pictured is District Governor Ireland & UK 2005 -2006 Lynda Molloy accepting an award recognising the District’s ‘ 4th in the world ranking’ against other Districts covering 90 countries. The award was bestowed at the World Convention in Washington, DC, USA by the parent organisation, Toastmasters International. Although called Toastmasters, the organisation is all about helping ordinary people overcome their fear of speaking in public to become better communicators and leaders. The UK & Ireland District has helped over 30,000 people from all walks of life. Lynda commented: ”So many of our members have told us, we’ve changed their lives by improving their skills in listening, thinking and speaking.” ? Communication For more information and to find a club near you, visit www.d71.org or call Joe Gibbs 353 86 8575541
Notes for editors – see page 2 [ refer option (a) ]
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(c) A short-ish feature-style article for general readership ( WORD COUNT – 642)
Irish inspiration wins world number 4 ranking How do you mobilise an Irish/UK team of 4,000 ordinary people to perform over twelve months and scoop 4 th in the World ranking in the arts of communication and leadership? Answer - call on the extraordinary inspirational talents of Bray Toastmaster Lynda Molloy. What makes this world-class performance more remarkable? Many of the folk weren’t aware of competing. They were simply trying to overcome one of the greatest fears known to man or woman – Speaking in front of an audience or ( in front of a group of people?). To understand the full impact of the UK & Ireland District’s achievement, let’s look to the woman who led it from 2005 to 2006. When Lynda first joined 10 years ago she couldn’t stand in front of a small group of people much less speak regularly to audiences from 30–300, facilitate training workshops or lead a team of over 4000 members. She confessed to being “terrified” at her first club meeting. In the intervening years she slowly built up her confidence, guided and supported by many fellow members who encouraged her to believe in her abilities. So, it was that Lynda rose through the ranks to take on more responsibility with each passing year until in June 2005 she was ready to take on the leadership of Ireland and UK District comprising of over 169 clubs. Lynda, who modestly claims to be an ‘ordinary person’, models the transformational experience of every single member of the organisation whose vision is ‘making effective communication a world-wide reality’. The process works thanks to a structured support system that is the core of each club meeting helping members to emerge into competent and confident speakers, communicators and presenters. The power of three – like the orator’s rhetorical device of three part lists – seems to be a common strand. There’s a simple but unique three-step success formula: create a no-risk environment, give consistently constructive feedback and recognise & celebrate members’ successes. The focus of the movement is on three of core skills, too – listening, thinking and speaking. And the benefits flow in three areas of members’ lives – personal, career and community. With immense pride - and characteristically huge tribute to her fellow leaders – Lynda lifted the trophy to celebrate Ireland & UK achieving 4th in the world out of 78 Districts covering over 90 countries. So what’s the name of this organisation? It’s Toastmasters International - a world-wide non-profit network organisation which has benefited more than 3 million people and has been developing excellence in communication and leadership for over 80 years. This worldwide organisation comprises 10,000 affiliated clubs whose members build confidence, develop speaking and leadership skills and forge a more fulfilling life in the process. Its vision is : ‘‘making effective communication a world wide reality.’ Is this organisation for you? Here, from a long list of ‘ordinary folk’, are typical members’ backgrounds housewives, teachers, bankers, farmers, tradesmen, engineers and accountants. Some work in corporate life (private, public and voluntary sectors) some are self-employed, others are retired. Lynda Molloy is clear: “If you want to grow, to move outside your comfort zone, we’re a very good place to start. Some members from humble beginnings, have turned in winning performances at their club, area, division, District and international contests. Some have become professional speakers or Trainers as a result of their toastmasters experience. We have members who’ve come to us from the McGuire Programme for recovering stammerers. Some members are visually impaired. Whatever people’s background, our formula helps them grow from faltering first steps to top flight.” Some final words from Lynda: “So many of our members tell us we’ve changed their lives by improving their skills in listening, thinking and speaking.” For more information on District 71 Toastmasters check out: www.d71org or call Joe Gibbs 353 86 8575541
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