Indianapolis Pro Bono Speaker's Bureau Celebrates First Year

The pro bono speaker’s bureau in Indianapolis – 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 32 speakers offering 64 topics ranging from Motivation to Heath & Fitness.

Requests for speakers come from Indianapolis clubs, chambers of commerce, libraries, Rotary and Kiwanis groups, businesses, special events groups, retirement communities, women's clubs, men's clubs, etc.

What is surprising is the number of people interested in becoming speakers in the bureau – very high level people, all with experience and willingness to give a talk, unconcerned about the size of the audience or the donated time.

“FreeSpeakers.org has been a Godsend to our Rotary Club,” said William R. Sutton. “We are extremely satisfied. The speakers are reliable and never fail to deliver as promised. We are so grateful to you for providing this free service.”

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

Four examples of the more than 50 topics include:

• "Identity Theft in Hamilton County," Greg Wright, Certified Fraud Examiner
• "The Underground Railroad in Indiana," Jeannie Regan-Dinius, Director of Special Initiatives, DNR-DHPA
• "Senior Scams / How to Protect Yourself or Your Loved Ones," Carol Applegate, BSN, MSEd, MSN, JD, Attorney and Registered Nurse
• "How to Stay Young the First 100 Years," Marie Storm RN, BSN, Certified Health Coach

"It's been exciting to observe the Indianapolis bureau expanding," said Ginny Richardson, founder 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, network, convey a message, give back to the community and frequently, all the above.

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

The website and the complete list of speakers: https://indianapolis.freespeakers.org/. To become a speaker: https://indianapolis.freespeakers.org/become-a-speaker/.