Free Educational Topics in Chicago
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3: Browse for a topic, Click the orange request button, Fill out the contact form.
Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.
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Why the Student Loan Bubble is Now Your Problem
Joseph Orsolini, President, College Aid Planners, Inc.
If you thought the student loan bubble was only a Millennial problem, think again! The trillion dollar student loan bubble is bursting. This eye-opening program details the depth of this country’s student loan crisis, how it is spreading beyond the millennial generation, and why it is becoming your problem as well.
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Don’t Pay the College Sticker Price!
Joseph Orsolini, President, College Aid Planners, Inc.
The program will highlight the three key areas of opportunity to reduce the overall cost of a college education. The presentation will focus on strategies to maximize need-based financial aid eligibility, target the right colleges for merit-based financial aid, and exploit tax-saving opportunities.
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Democracy Under Duress
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
Right-wing populism is rising in many western nations, but here in the US it is beginning to actually threaten our democracy. This presentation points out why this is happening uniquely here in the US: Because the country is becoming a true multi-racial democracy, a transformation that no other country is undergoing. And the US constitution actually empowers the minority that wishes to stop this transition. MORE >
We will discuss why this is happening, and what we need to change in our governmental structures to alleviate this attack on our democracy.And we must address these very thorny issues, starting now. Because the US will become a multi-racial democracy - or it won't be a democracy any more.
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Exploring Careers with a Social Impact
Matt Kinnich, CEO, Roland, Ruth & Mitchell
This presentation is for individuals, teams and/or organizations that want to explore careers with a social impact. The presentation is a combination of Matt’s social impact journey and an interactive workshop for participants. Participants will engage in the following: MORE >
• 1-2 things you hope to get out of today’s presentation
• Matt’s social impact career journey
• What are you Passionate about?
• What are your Strengths?
• Passions & Strengths – what’s the intersection?
• How do I explore options & opportunities?
• Individual/Group questions
• What actions am I willing to do next? -
Increasing Political Polarization and what we can do about it
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
Every decade, increasing gerrymandering has created more and more "safe seats", which have resulted in more and more extreme legislators on both sides of the aisle - creating a legislature where compromise is impossible, and very little legislative progress ensures. This presentation shows why this happens, and what we can do about it, using the recent example of the Alaska special election, utilizing a nonpartisan primary and a ranked choice voting general election, as an example of how to promote more moderate legislators and a more productive legislature. MORE >
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How to Create Resilient Equitable Communities in a COVID-19 World
Kelwin Harris, Diversity, Equity and Civic Engagement Speaker
Our cities face serious threats; growth is uneven; neighborhoods are struggling; and streets are erupting in protest as COVID-19 has made existing inequalities worse. Now more than ever, we must address racial equity and provide strategies for prosperity for the good of everyone. Drawing from his experience as a community leader on the South Side of Chicago and as an urban planner, Kelwin Harris uses an equity lens to discuss multiple facets of systemic racism that persist and offers strategies and interventions for the road ahead. MORE >
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Teaching civics – how are we doing – how can we do better
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
Our national report card shows that we are not doing a good job teaching US history and civics, and that is not preparing our students to be active citizens, helping to guide our nation in directions that are useful for them. MORE >
This presentation looks into these issues, and focuses on the newly created Educating for American Democracy Roadmap, which points the way to improving this important area of education. -
The Medicare Puzzle: Do You Know Your A, B, C, & D’s ?
Tom Kedzie CFP®, MBA, Financial Planner, RetireWell
In this presentation you will learn:
* How Medicare enrollment periods work and how to avoid late penalties.
* What you can expect to pay after going on Medicare.
* What Medicare covers and doesn't cover.
* Why you must plan for higher health care costs in retirement.
* What about Long Term Care? -
The 3 Biggest Problems with Utility Bills
Kate Shonk, Sustainable Communities Liaison , Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
Most Illinoisans are overpaying for gas and electricity and don’t even know it! In this engaging lecture, I’ll show you how to decode your bills, spot errors, and take advantage of real programs designed to save you money. MORE >
CUB is a non-profit, statewide utility watchdog organization created in 1983 to work for lower gas, electric and telephone rates. CUB has been on your side for 30 years—blocking utility rate hikes, winning consumer refunds and helping to pass important consumer protection laws. Our outreach team has spoken at hundreds of community meetings across Illinois and would love to come to yours.Please note that depending on my availability, another one of our trained outreach staff may take my place as speaker at your meeting, but I will confirm when you contact me.
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Career Readiness Before College
Georgia Koch, Community Outreach Coordinator, Career Vision
College planning is not just for college but for career planning as well. Believe it or not, sophomore year of high school is not too early to start. Georgia will show audiences why.