Pro Bono Speakers Bureau, Launched From La Grange Home Office, Turns 30

Thirty years ago, La Grange resident and Lyons Township High School graduate Ginny Richardson was running her own small public relations business, largely out of her home, when a short newspaper item changed everything.

The article, written by Naperville resident Mary Kaufold, appeared in the Chicago Tribune under the headline "Cheap Talk for Area Groups." It described a small directory Richardson kept of about a dozen volunteer speakers willing to talk to local groups for free, and it set off a wave of phone calls that transformed her home-based operation into what is now FreeSpeakers.org.

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Three decades later, the pro bono speakers bureau fielded 1,355 requests across its seven cities in the past 12 months, including 468 in the Chicago area, more than a third of the bureau's total volume and more than 26 free presentations delivered every week nationwide.

"What began as a local Chicago speakers bureau has grown far beyond what we imagined in those early days," Richardson said. "The heart of the bureau remains the same: It's a gift to the community. We're incredibly grateful to our speakers, whose generosity has let us reach thousands of groups over the last 30 years."

Originally named Free Speech, the bureau was created to connect groups with limited budgets, libraries, Rotary clubs, chambers of commerce and similar organizations, to guest speakers willing to share their expertise at no cost. It has since grown to operate in seven cities: Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles and Orange County; Dallas-Fort Worth; Phoenix; Milwaukee; and Indianapolis. More than 450 volunteer speakers now cover topics ranging from history and finance to health and entertainment.

"To our speakers, thank you for an amazing 30 years," Richardson said. "Your voices have educated, inspired and connected clubs and groups across the country. We look forward to many more years of connecting groups with great speakers."

As Free Speakers enters its fourth decade, the speakers bureau continues to recruit new volunteer speakers and welcomes inquiries from community groups looking for free educational and entertaining programming. More information is available at chicago.freespeakers.org/.