Local speaker[s] to represent [city or town/club name] at area/Division/regional public speaking contest

[City name] – (date, 2017) – [Name of winner or winners] will represent [local area, town, or club] at the regional/area/Division ## public speaking contest in [town or city] on [date].

{name} is a member of [club name] Toastmasters, the world’s oldest public speaking and leadership organization.

The volunteer club, which is devoted to helping people become better speakers and leaders meets [twice] each [month] and members prepare speeches which other club members evaluate.

Twice a year Toastmasters International holds speaking contests. Each autumn thousands of Toastmasters around the world take part in the Humourous Speech contest and the Table Topics contest. The Humourous Speech contest is for a prepared speech of five to seven minutes. Table topics is an impromptu speaking competition; contestants are given their topic as they approach the podium, and are judged on the best two-minute response to the topic.

Club President (name) noted, “{Winner’s name} has been a member of our club since (year) and [something notable – like “despite taking part, has never won our club contest. We are delighted to see her/him progress to the [Area ##] {Division ##] Contest.

She added, “Our annual contests are a fun part of Toastmasters, but not everyone wants to compete. {Club name} is a very friendly environment for people who would simply like to become more confident speakers. Whether you have a wedding speech coming up, or a presentation at work – or even just want to become more confident – Toastmasters can really help.”

Visitors are always welcome to attend [club name], which meets the 2nd and 4th [day of week] of each month. The next regular meeting is [date] at [time] in [room name] at [venue name]. Guests are welcome to attend up to three meetings before making a decision about joining. Member fees [dues?] are [£ or € ##] per year.

Ends

For more information: [name] Vice President Public Relations, [Club name], on [telephone number] or [mobile number] or email [email address].

Notes to editors

About [Toastmasters your club name]

The volunteer committee of [YOUR CLUB NAME] is comprised of: [name], President, [name], VP Membership, [name], VP Education, name, Treasurer, [name], Secretary, [name], VP Public Relations, [name], Sergeant at Arms, and [name], Immediate Past President.

[Toastmasters club name] was officially chartered in [year] [here you should add anything else notable about the club -- in Inverness when I was VPPR I wrote that we were the most northerly Toastmasters club in the UK -- so you can be creative and use your imagination here. Are you the oldest club in your area? First in your county? Did you have a notable member who won the District speech contest, for example?].

[YOUR CLUB NAME] is part of Toastmasters International District 71, which comprises all of the island of Ireland, and all of the UK except London and the South. With nearly 200 clubs and more than 4000 members, District 71 is one of 4 districts in Europe.

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational organisation that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., the organisation's membership exceeds 352,000 in more than 16,400 clubs in 141 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.