Toastmasters Awards Golden Gavel to Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network.

I was honored to deliver the opening keynote at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. The last time I addressed a Toastmasters International Convention was in 2001, when I watched my colleague, Darren LaCroix, win the World Championship of Public Speaking and my friend, a fellow NSA (National Speakers Association) Past President, Jim Cathcart win Toastmasters Golden Gavel Award.  The 2015 Golden Gavel going to Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, this promises to be a truly international and exciting event! I share this from Toastmasters International:

Toastmasters International Announces Muhammad Yunus as its 2015 Golden Gavel Recipient

Nobel Peace Prize winner to accept organization’s most prestigious award…

Toastmasters International announced that world-renowned economics professor, founder of Grameen Bank and humanitarian Muhammad Yunus is the recipient of the organization’s 2015 Golden Gavel award. The award, presented annually to an individual distinguished in the fields of communication and leadership, will be presented to Yunus for his leadership and ability to drive change during the Toastmasters International Convention August 12-15, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Professor Yunus is a microfinance pioneer whose concept has supported and enriched developing countries around the world,” says Toastmasters International President Mohammed Murad. “As this year’s Golden Gavel recipient, he will help our members get a better understanding of how effective leadership enhances social entrepreneurism.”

Yunus is widely credited for his work to end poverty through micro-lending and cause-driven businesses in his home country of Bangladesh and throughout the world. The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Yunus and Grameen Bank, a bank Yunus established in 1983 in Bangladesh that provides small loans—known as microcredit—to impoverished people. As of 2011, Grameen Bank provides services in nearly all villages in Bangladesh. While the bank operates in Bangladesh only, a global version known as Grameen Foundation works with organizations around the world to help them serve poor people.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by Toastmasters International as the 2015 Golden Gavel award recipient,” says Yunus. “Early in my life I committed myself to eliminating poverty and I accept this award on behalf of everyone who strives to serve and help the poor.”

Yunus will accept the award and address attendees during a dinner held in his honor on Friday, August 14, at Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Yunus joins an illustrious list of Golden Gavel honorees, including Walter Cronkite, Stephen Covey, Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins and Zig Ziglar.

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Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Patricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.