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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Rethinking the Colonizing of North America
Mark McGarvie, J.D., Ph.D.,, Retired Professor of History and Law, College of William and Mary
European colonialism recently has been presented, both popularly and scholastically, as an evil that decimated native populations, destroyed native cultures, precipitated extensive wars, and caused irreparable environmental harm. Avoiding judgment in favor of understanding, Professor McGarvie will develop the context for European discovery of the New World in the intellectual, technological, political, and cultural contexts of both the Native Americans and the European explorers in the 16th - 18th centuries. MORE >
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Cable Options and Reducing Robocalls
Ivonne Rychwa, Director of Outreach, Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
A presentation about your cable options and reducing robocalls. During the program, a CUB representative will discuss: The different choices in the TV market, ways to cut your cable costs, streaming services available to consumers, how to avoid common robocall scams, call-blocking services and what they mean for your pocket, and new federal legislation passed helping to reduce robocalls.
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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.
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Start Early, Start Smart: How to Choose a Motivating College Major
Georgia Koch, Community Outreach Coordinator, Career Vision
Is it possible for students to identify potential college majors and career directions while still in high school? You bet! Students and parents will learn what they need to know before choosing a college, and how identifying a college major and career direction can build a student's motivation and confidence while reducing college expenses. MORE >
Receive information and resources to guide your student and take the stress out of making these important decisions. This program is for parents and students of high school and college age. -
Targeting Colleges for Affordability
Joseph Orsolini, President, College Aid Planners, Inc.
The presentation will focus on strategies to target colleges for merit-based financial aid. Armed with this understanding and knowledge of the college aid process, a college education may become more affordable.
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Long Term Care: Don’t Go Broke!
Tom Kedzie CFP®, MBA, Financial Planner, RetireWell
In this presentation you will learn:
* How to protect your house and income.
* What Medicare and Medicaid cover.
* Types of care: home, assisted living, and nursing home.
* How to pay for long term care without paying annual premiums. -
Deportation Nation
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
In "Deportation Nation: America's Immigration Crossroads," Ed will analyze
unprecedented changes in federal immigration policy, shedding light on how
these actions impact families, communities, and the very fabric of our society. MORE >The Trump administration's approach to immigration marks a sharp departure
from historic norms. With an enormous escalation in funding directed at
enforcement measures, the federal debt continues to rise as resources are
diverted towards policies that disrupt lives and separate families—including
many U.S. citizens. These measures have not only caused immense personal
suffering but have affected businesses, labor markets, and the broader
economy, undermining the stability upon which our nation thrives.In this interactive session, Ed will present a contextual overview, showing how
our nation's current actions stand apart from prior policy and tradition. By
examining the history of American immigration, we'll explore the roots of our
nation's strength: inclusion, opportunity, and the promise of a better life. Ed will
pose thoughtful alternatives and policy ideas that align with our founding
values and point toward a more humane and pragmatic future.All who care about the direction of our country and the well-being of our
neighbors are encouraged to attend.Equip yourself with truth and perspective so that together, we can advocate for
policies that reflect our best traditions and put an end to destructive, divisive
practices. Bring your questions—and your hope for a more just America—to
what is sure to be an enlightening and empowering event. -
Creating A Private Sector: Contract Law & The Constitutional Protection of the Right of Conscience
Mark McGarvie, J.D., Ph.D.,, Retired Professor of History and Law, College of William and Mary
Professor McGarvie is considered one of our leading authorities on the separation of church and state. His ground-breaking thesis articulated in 2004 with the publication of One Nation Under Law has gained tremendous support and led to invitations to write successor volumes and essays for both Oxford and Cambridge University Presses and to speak on the subject across the country. MORE >
In this presentation, Professor McGarvie will explain how the separation of church and state resulted from the Founders' creation of a private sector through the contract clause of the Constitution. Contract law revolutionized the relationships between citizens and their governments. Placing religion in the private sector required its separation from government and the removal of churches from performing public functions in education, poor relief, and record keeping, for which they had responsibility in the colonial era. -
Understanding Project 2025
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
Project 2025 is a huge document. It's very difficult to consume and understand. This presentation makes details available, but focuses more on HOW they intend to implement these unpopular policies, showing that their methods themselves are a direct attack on our Democracy.
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Trump’s Tariffs – a social media dialogue
Ed Spire, Co-lead, Restore our Democracy Project, NWSOFA-Indivisible
This presentation focuses on Trump's tariffs and their impact on our country -
not only the economic consequences, but also how they play out in the larger
picture of trade, manufacturing, and everyday costs for families. MORE >In addition to exploring the topic of tariffs, Ed Spire will be sharing a look
"behind the scenes" at how he use social media and artificial intelligence tools
to develop presentations like this one. These digital strategies make it easier to
gather solid information, sharpen our messages, and connect more effectively
with the communities we serve.I hope you'll join us for a session that's part civic education, part skills-building,
and fully focused on empowering us all to better understand the challenges—
and opportunities—we face.