FreeSpeakers.org offers new speakers for clubs, organizations

Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch? Many things in life are free, and one of them is a pro bono speaker's bureau that is a resource for community clubs and groups in Chicago and its suburbs.

To date, there are more than 160 speakers and more than 275 topics in the Chicago bureau.

Brand new topics and speakers:

• "88 Years and Counting: The Theatre of Western Springs" by Ginny Richardson, Theatre of Western Springs actor for 35 years

• "Your Dreams. Your Destiny. Your Desires" by Julie Tomak Campo, Julie's Personal Money Management

• "How to Stay in Shape by Doing What You Love" by Andrea Scott, MS, comic, speaker

• "Essential Considerations for the Adult Child of Aging Parents" by Teri Dreher, RN, owner and CEO, NSHORE Patient Advocates

• "Getting Your Medical Affairs in Order" by Teri Dreher, RN, owner and CEO, NSHORE Patient Advocates

• "Transgender Identity and a Third Gender in the Future" by Melanie Griffis Jones, MA, TraceSuccessful and Griffis/Jones & Associates

• "I Promise Not to Make You Quack Like a Chicken" by Melanie Griffis Jones, MA, TraceSuccessful and Griffis/Jones & Associates

• "Positive Psychology: A Fascinating Perspective on Achieving Our Best" by Michael Bromberg, speaker, actor, Realtor, writing enthusiast

• "So You Want to be a Grant Writer?" by Tamora Walls Hughes, president, Tamora Walls Consulting

• "How to Get from Passion to Profit!" by Kirk Douglas Scott, owner/CEO, KDScott Enterprise, LLC

• "It's Not What You're Eating...It's What's Eating You" by Claudia Braun, healthy living coach, Claudia Braun Women's Coaching

• "De-Cluttering, Downsizing and Organizing Your Stuff" by Vicki Burger, professional organizer, move manager, coach and owner, SPIFF

• "If Not Now, Then When?" by Tari Heap, Martha Beck certified master coach, Cellular Joy Coaching

• "A Facelift for Your Voice: Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Voice Sounding as Young as You Feel " by Meredith Colby, author of "Money Notes: How to Sing High, Loud, Healthy and Forever"

• "Nine Behaviors of Leaders with Courage" by Lee Eisenstaedt, co-founder, Leading With Courage Academy

• "Learn How to Get Free Publicity" by Engelo Rumora, Ohio Cashflow.

According to bureau director Andy Richardson, the feedback from program chairpersons all over the Chicago area continues to be overwhelmingly positive.

The bureau is 100 percent free to groups that have limited (or no) budgets. Groups include libraries, Chambers of Commerce, Rotary and Kiwanis groups, special interest clubs, church groups, retirement communities, women's clubs, men's clubs, etc.

There is no charge to any group, ever, not from the speaker and not from the bureau.

What's in it for the speakers? They are motivated by the opportunity to network, teach, hone speaking skills, make contacts, convey a message, give back to the community and frequently, all of the above.

"I have found that many people are interested in becoming speakers in the bureau, very high level people, all with experience and willingness to give a talk, unconcerned about the size of the audience or the donated time," Richardson said.

For more information and lists of topics, go to chicago.freespeakers.org. To become a speaker, visit chicago.freespeakers.org/share-your-expertise/.