All 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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History and current importance of drainage for a healthy and sustainable Chicago Region
Richard Lanyon, Consultant, Retired Executive Director, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate
Richard will discuss how the flow in the Calumet and Chicago Rivers was reversed, why this is still important today to protect public health, and how current water infrastructure reduces flood damages, provides recreation, recovers resources and protects Lake Michigan as a clean and safe source of water. Richard’s topics can be tailored to your local interests. MORE >
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Solutions to Climate Change
Andrew Panelli, Group Leader, Chicago South Suburbs, Citizens' Climate Education
TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate
Here’s an opportunity to engage your audience in a fun way to learn more about the climate change issue, solutions, and the relative effectiveness of those solutions. As part of the exercise, we discuss various actions that can be taken. The audience is engaged to offer suggested solutions to slow climate change. MORE >
Our trained facilitator will show the group how each suggested action(s) will impact climate change on a MIT/Sloan simulator that will model their proposed solution(s) instantly in “real-time”. This stimulates discussions as to why an action may or may not be as effective a course of action as expected. We’ll also share bipartisan actions that Congress is considering and evaluate what impact those actions have on climate change.Participants leave the discussion with new insights on how the problem should be addressed.
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The Conservative Case for Smart Climate Action
Andrew Panelli, Group Leader, Chicago South Suburbs, Citizens' Climate Education
TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate
About 40% of all Americans either have some degree of skepticism regarding climate change as an issue or need more information on the subject. This presentation moves beyond scientific based arguments for taking action and refocuses on a compelling case for solutions that are both in-line with conservative principles and deliver desired outcomes that include: freedom of choice, quality of life, enhanced national security, and economic well-being. MORE >
Throughout the presentation the audience is engaged in an interactive discussion providing feedback on shared values, approach, and whether the proposed solution meets a conservative “litmus test”. -
What You Eat and How It Affects the Climate Crisis
Cynthia Linton, Chair, Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter
TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate
Diet and food waste are two major drivers of greenhouse gases that cause the planet to warm. Learn the facts about food impacts and have a lively discussion about how you would be willing to change your diet to fight climate changes.
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Climate Change in Illinois and Chicago: Impacts, Forecasts and Solutions
Cynthia Linton, Chair, Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter
TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate
Although Illinois is not on a coast facing sea level rise, or in a severe drought area beset by wildfires, or in the South with it's increasingly severe hurricanes, we do have some serious climate impacts here in Illinois and they will grow in the future. Learn about severe weather, flooding and extreme heat in the Midwest and how Illinois and Chicago can cope with the changes. MORE >
Linton will talk about what steps local and state government are taking and what you can do as residents. -
Targeting Colleges for Affordability
Joseph Orsolini, President, College Aid Planners, Inc.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Educational
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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Increase Your Cash Flow Fast
Jean Kuhn, Business Strategist/Consultant, Bounce Solutions Jean Kuhn
TOPIC CATEGORY: Business
Business owners, retail or service-based, all say the exact same thing. ‘We need more customers so we can earn more money.’ It’s tough out there for business owners in 2021. Jean Kuhn “has the backs” of business owners and delivers the hard facts, the truth and some laughs, on what it takes to become the leader in their industry and a “celebrity” in their business. MORE >
Jean shares her story of buying 2 bankrupt businesses and turning them around in 12 short months and adding $100,000 to their bottom lines. And she did it with NO customer list and NO marketing budget.Jean is the perfect speaker if attendees: Want more customers, Want to make more money, Want to more free time, Want to reduce employee turnover
Takeaways: You don't need a list or a big budget, Low cost/no cost marketing strategies, Tools to turn employees into lead
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Financial Literacy – The Basics
Renee N. Duba, Founder, Sonder Private Wealth Management
TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial
We live in a world now where the responsibility for a lifetime of financial well-being rests solely in our own hands. The increasing complexity of the financial choices and decisions we face have exposed a dismal reality: most folks do not have an adequate understanding of the financial principals, behaviors and attitudes that will foster financial well-being. MORE >
In this interactive presentation, we discuss what financial literacy means and why it’s critically important for a life of financial security and enjoyment. Topics include the components of literacy and basic principles upon which attendees can learn to gain control over day to day financial matters, build for retirement, and enjoy the things in life they love today.This is an intro to a series of presentations that include Budget Building, Retirement Planning and Investing. Can be customized for your organization.
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What’s the one thing you can’t buy? Time.
Kimberly Kolb, Author & Speaker
TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement
168. That’s how many hours are in a week. Do you use them wisely? Kimberly wrote a novel in a year while working and raising three kids in travel sports. She will show you how to find that kind of time for you. MORE >
Kimberly is proud to be a part of Free Speakers since 2015, but will only present to not-for-profit groups. -
Where Are You Growing? Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Susan Neustrom, Ed.D., Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker, Educator, Leading to Action
TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement
Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Your mindset determines your behavior and thoughts leading to your success, your performance and your impact on staff, co-workers, family, and friends. There are two mindsets, fixed and growth. If you have a fixed mindset you believe abilities and intelligence are determined early in life. Therefore, challenges and failure only serve to support your belief. In contrast, if you have a growth mindset you view challenges and obstacles as opportunities to develop skills and continue growing and learning. Most individuals exhibit a combination of a fixed and growth mindset but intentionally cultivating a growth mindset results in enhanced resilience, increased accomplishments and expanded potential. In an organization, a growth mindset leader creates a culture of innovation, risk-taking, teamwork, and trust enabling others to adopt a growth mindset. MORE >
In this interactive session, Dr. Susan Neustrom explores how mindsets are formed and the dynamics and strategies involved in shifting mindset to optimize positive impact both personally and professionally. Using the theoretical framework of mindset, grit, and mental contrasting this session will engage participants in a new approach to decision-making, problem solving, teaching, and learning.