Milwaukee Pro Bono Speaker's Bureau Celebrates First Year

The pro bono speaker’s bureau in Milwaukee – FreeSpeakers.org - proves there is such a thing as a free lunch. The bureau has grown steadily since its founding one year ago. Today, there are 35 speakers offering 65 topics - all for free.

On a daily basis, requests for speakers come from area clubs, chambers of commerce, libraries, Rotary and Kiwanis groups, church groups, retirement communities, support groups, women's clubs, men's clubs, etc.

"Jim Bohn gave a presentation at our networking group, OPEN for Business (OFB), and it was great," wrote David Glazer, the founder of OFB in West Allis. "The talk was informative, fun and extremely well received by our group. I want to thank Jim and FreeSpeakers.org for the opportunity. I plan to use your organization more."

Topics are in the fields of business, education, entertainment, financial, health and fitness, motivational and self improvement.

Four examples of the more than 60 topics include:

• Author Jennifer Buchholz presents "Go Away, Find Your SELF: Personal Transformation Through Travel."

• Jeremy Bria, D.C., presents "Stress Management in 10 Easy Steps" and "Deskercise, Get Fit While You Sit."

• Radio host Jim Rosetti presents a business topic titled, "Endless Referrals."

• CEO and consultant Jim Bohn, Ph.D., presents "Everything I Learned about Leadership by Playing in a Rock and Roll Band."

"It's been a joyride to observe the Milwaukee bureau expanding," said Andy Richardson, director of FreeSpeakers.org. "This is a community service project that is 100 percent free to groups that have limited (or no) budgets.

There is no charge to any group. Ever. Not from the speaker and not from the bureau. What’s in it for the speakers? Certainly not money. They are motivated by the opportunity to teach, hone speaking skills, make contacts, convey a message, give back to the community and frequently, all of the above.

“Many people don’t understand why we would spend time on a community service project that doesn’t make money,” Andy Richardson said, “but we are rewarded with loads of contacts, friendships and goodwill. It's more than enough."

Both new speakers and organizations are welcome to visit the website at: http://milwaukee.freespeakers.org. To become a speaker, visit: http://milwaukee.freespeakers.org/become-a-speaker/.