Free Miscellaneous 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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Politics in Chicago: The Experiences of an Alderman in one of Chicago’s Prominent Wards
James Balcer, Retired Alderman, 11th Ward, Chicago
Request This Free SpeechHear firsthand the experiences of former Alderman James Balcer, who served as Alderman of Chicago’s 11th Ward from 1997-2015. Former Alderman Balcer was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1997. This would be the beginning of a successful and passionate career serving the residents of the 11th Ward and beyond. MORE >
Hear Former Alderman Balcer speak on all aspects of his career, from the importance of being out the community, drafting and passing city-wide ordinances, working with all city departments and successfully winning four elections by large margins.His passion for the neighborhood he grew up in, and still calls home, remains just as strong as when he served as Alderman. Growing up, he did not anticipate a career in politics, but found that it aligned with his passion for helping others and advocating for those in need. He will speak on how to leverage passion and politics for the good of residents, neighborhoods, and the city.
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Mental Freedom
Agha Maisam, Client Partner
Request This Free SpeechMy self-realiztion journey started during Covid. It started to overcome the biggest fear anyone would have, fear of death. On this journey I started from reading all the major holy scriptures like Bible (old and new testament), Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, Analects of Confucius and Tao Te Ching. MORE >
After reading these books and learning about different believes I realized that in the end everything comes down to our choices. I also learned that the only difference between all believes are the practices that comes with it. People cling on to the practices and not the teachings.Whatever choice we make in life comes from or mind. So if one wants to master themselves, they need to master their mind. Mind is like an untamed horse and most of us drag behind it throughout our life. True power is when you learn how to sit on that horse and ride it for your benefit.
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Questions That Matter
Roger Breisch, Speaker / Provocateur, Dancing With Chaos
Request This Free SpeechIn his book, Questions That Matter, Roger Breisch writes, “Putting aside deceitful questions—whose cadence and tone imply an answer—all questions matter. Sentences that end with the ubiquitous squiggle atop a period open the future to new possibilities. Sentences ending with just a period condemn the future to limitation and constraint. Answers have a way of ending discovery and learning; captivating questions open us to unimagined possibilities.” MORE >
After spending more than 3500 hours answering calls on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Roger has learned a great deal about what questions truly matter in creating a life that matters. -
Fatal Incident
Jim Proebstle, Author
Request This Free SpeechInspired by the true events of an Air Transport Command aircraft disaster in Alaska in 1944, Fatal Incident reveals the dark secrets of a WW II conspiracy and cover-up of how twenty U.S. military deaths have gone unsolved for over 70 years. The story will attract men and women interested in intrigue, Russian espionage, and heart-pounding drama; as the human emotions and lives of people in love, separated by war, are changed forever. MORE >
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Theology & Spirituality
Dr. Cliff Brickman, Doctor, Therapist, Researcher, Wellness Clinic, The Still Soft Voice
Request This Free SpeechDr. Brickman will discuss the religious topics covered in media like FoxTV, such as “to be religious, you must be judgmental,” “how many religions will kill you if you leave it?” and “as Americans with our PC, and our priorities, we should all have our heads examined.”
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Enhance Your Communications Skills
Karin McNicholas & Dennis McNicholas, Mediation Services
Request This Free SpeechThis husband/wife team has been successfully training individuals, families and groups in effective communications for 12 years.
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Humanity’s Journey Home
Roger Breisch, Speaker / Provocateur, Dancing With Chaos
Request This Free SpeechIn his book "Humanity's Journey Home," Roger talks about the future of the species Homo sapiens and our relationship to the biosphere. It is a provocative view and well received by those who are willing to take off rose-colored glasses and examine the perils we face and the paradigms that got us here. The perspective is hopeful in the long term, but realistic in the short term. MORE >
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Safe Communities – Safe Kids
Dr. Michael Litow, Executive Director, The Education Center
Request This Free SpeechDr. Litow addresses keeping schools a place for learning, not fear. He brings basic and reasonable insights into how each person can make a difference in our communities to keep students safe.
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Measuring Results From Training
Bette Lawrence-Water, Founder and Principal Consultant, Spectrum Strategic Solutions
Request This Free SpeechAlthough we all know that training can have many amazing benefits, sometimes it can be hard to prove those benefits and attach a dollar value to training. Some topics, like sales training or time management, might have direct, tangible benefits. Other topics, like communication or leadership, might have benefits that you can’t put a dollar value on. MORE >
Through this discussion participants will learn about the different ways to evaluate training progress, and how to use those results to demonstrate the results that training brings. Once the training has been evaluated the next step is to modify and updated the curriculum to create a content that is better suited for the participants.Presentation Objectives:
• Understand learning styles and learning cycle
• Understand levels of evaluation
• Be familiar with many types of evaluation tools, including goal setting, tests, reactionary sheets, interviews, observations, hip-pocket assessments, skill assessments, and learning journals
• Understand when to use each type of evaluation tool
• Be able to perform a needs assessment
• Know how to write learning objectives and link them to evaluation
• Be able to write an evaluation plan to evaluate learning at each stage of the training and far beyond
• Know how to identify the costs, benefits, and return on investment of training
• Be familiar with the parts of a business case -
The Experiences of a United States Marine from the Vietnam War to Present
James Balcer, Retired Alderman, 11th Ward, Chicago
Request This Free SpeechIn 1967, at the age of 17, James Balcer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps — a decision that would impact every aspect of his life and lead him to a decades long mission to advocate for veterans and the military. Hear firsthand his experiences as a young recruit, a mortar man in a unit that endured so many causalities they were referred to as the “walking dead,” and a Vietnam Veteran in a turbulent social climate. MORE >
During his service in Vietnam, his valor and bravery in helping to carry dead and wounded Marines up a 900 foot mountain, while under enemy fire, resulted in being awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V Device. He was also awarded three Purple Heart Medals for wounds sustained during his service.His experiences during the Vietnam War, the time period after, and present-day advocacy are not only remarkable, but inspirational. In a world where veteran and military issues, particularly honoring veterans and ensuring that their legacies are remembered, former PFC Balcer remains dedicated to remembering the past and looking towards the future.
He will not only speak on his experiences in the United States Marine Corps, but his work, and leadership within, various veteran and military organizations, memorials, and parades. Further, he will share his experiences as a strong advocate for the veterans and the military during his tenure as Director of Veterans for the City of Chicago and Alderman of the 11th Ward in Chicago.
Semper Fi!