Dear Speech Team Supporter:
I am delighted to let you know that I will be competing for the East Ridge High School Speech Team for the 20152016 Season. East Ridge Speech is entering its seventh year and will field a large team consisting of 68 highly
talented students!
Speech is a rigorous, competitive activity and, as a team member, I commit to regular practices each week and
participation in competitions each Saturday – yep, I’m on the bus every Saturday morning at around 6:30 a.m.,
along with my coaches and teammates. Why? I love it. Speech has given me important public speaking skills,
improved my critical thinking, and given me a leg up on my peers when it comes to getting into college and getting
a job. Several studies have shown that speech competitors, on average, have higher GPAs, SAT/ACT scores, and
college admission rates. And IT’S FUN!
Why am I writing to you? I would like to give you an unprecedented opportunity. As with most high school
extracurricular activities, the funding we receive from our district is not sufficient to cover all our team’s needs. In
order to pay for things like entry fees, transportation, lodging for an overnight tournament, and team supplies we
need to raise additional money. Our team participates in a number of fundraising activities to off-set our costs for
these team essentials. We have also decided to sell stock to investors in our team, who see an opportunity to invest
in our growth and success and receive a substantial return on that investment in the form of pride, joy, and warm
feelings.
My hope is that you will become an investor, so we can further develop a quality Speech team at East Ridge High
School, now and in the future. The East Ridge Speech team has been quite successful in invitational tournaments,
and at the state and national level. We had four students qualify for national tournaments last year and many more
earn awards at the local level.
Our “Stock in Talk” sells for a modest price – which you set. We are asking that you invest at a level that feels
comfortable for you. Each investor will receive a personalized Stock Certificate that demonstrates your investment
in me and my team’s future. In addition, each stockholder will be a sent a dividend report at the end of the season
that will allow you to see the results of your investment.
If you would like to purchase shares of “Stock in Talk”, please complete the form on the next page and send your
tax deductible donation in the envelope provided by January 28, 2016. Stock certificates will be in the mail to you
shortly thereafter. Please make checks payable to: East Ridge Speech.
Thank you in advance for your investment in my future and the future of the East Ridge Speech Team. A small
investment on your part now will reap huge dividends this season! Our team will be holding an open house in
March of 2016. I’d love it if you attended to see what you’re investing in.
Visit our website for more details and to see our schedule for the season: www.eastridgespeech.org
GO RAPTORS!
Sincerely,
Connect With Us:
/eastridgespeech
@eastridgespeech
Detach the bottom of this form and send back in the included envelope with payment.
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Stock in Talk Purchase Form 2015-2016
YES! I want to invest in the future of the East Ridge Speech Team. I am enclosing funds for the purchase of my
shares of stock and authorize the issuance of my “Stock in Talk” certificate. The East Ridge Speech Boosters are a
registered 501(c)(3) non-profit so all donations are tax deductible as allowed by state and federal laws.
AMOUNT ENCLOSED: _____________________________________
STOCK BROKER (STUDENT NAME): _____________________________________________________________________________________
INVESTOR (YOUR NAME): _________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAILING ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY ________________________________________________________________________
STATE __________
ZIP ____________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS (OPTIONAL): ___________________________________________________________________________________________
⎕ Please send me a donation receipt for tax purposes.
⎕ Please do not include me in a list of thanks on the speech website or in any other publications.
* All checks can be made payable to “East Ridge Speech.”
* You can also pay online with a credit card at: http://www.eastridgespeech.org/donate
* Please contact Alex Carlson with any questions: alex.carlson4@gmail.com