|
Media Releases
The cow, the motivator and the steel town boy.
Out of failure they built success.
Chicago August 1999: Toastmasters from more than 20 countries gathered for the 68th international annual convention in Chicago to hear, learn and be inspired by the best speakers from around the world.
Lady O’leary’s cow, Zig Ziglar & George Torok delivered those messages - each in their own way. The city that was devastated by the great fire started by the cow today celebrates the cow - with nearly 300 artisticly decorated cows peppered around the downtown streets. Chicago owes it’s spectacular skyline to the re-building after that fire.
Zig Ziglar admitted at one time he was so poor that he bought gas $0.50 at a time and when his daughter was born he did not have the money to pay the hospital bill. Years later he is the best selling author of many books and a sought after motivational speaker - known for his trademark phrase -“to the top!” Toastmasters International recognized his example to others by awarding Zig Ziglar the Golden Gavel. Zig who is in his seventies dismissed the rumour that he is retiring, “I am not retired - I am re-fired!”
The only Canadian speaking, George Torok of Burlington, Ontario presented twice. He delivered his program on Creativity, reminding delegates to tap the creativity we all possessed as children but which we forget. The persistence that we all demonstrated when we learned to walk seems forgotten by many when they encounter resistance and quit. Torok also delivered practical advise on the panel, ‘How to make it as a Professional Speaker’. “Treat it as a business, spend half your time marketing and selling I’ve seen too many good speakers starve because they neglected marketing and selling.”
Torok was raised in Hamilton and attended Delta high school. He had planned to run for school council and designed a great speech - in his mind. He never delivered that speech - because he was too afraid. After 20 years in corporate management he revisited his fear - to discover a new love. He joined Toastmasters to learn how to speak in public. In 1997 Torok left the corporate world and went to work in his own business delivering seminars and motivational keynotes across North America.
Toastmasters a non-profit organization helps people address our number one fear - Public speaking. Toastmasters celebrated the 75th anniversary of helping its members develop their leadership and public speaking skills. New members are always welcome.
The Golden Gavel award is presented each year by Toastmasters International to an individual who has impacted others through their leadership and communication skills. Past recipients include Gordon Sinclair, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, & Art Linkletter.
For more info:
Sara Kellogg Toastmasters District 60 905-664-4650
George Torok 905-335-1997