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Speaker's Bureau

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Speaker Jill Richardson


Jill gives practical advice on recovering from profectionism & the Mommie Dearest Syndrome when life gets overwhelming


Pen Name: Jill Richardson

Fees: $75-$500, +Travel

Travel: Midwest states. Contingent upon fee offered.



Categories: Cancer Survivor, Marriage, Editing, Relationships, Emotional Healing, 

Speaking Topics
 
  • How Come I Was So Nice Before Having Kids?

An exploration of the changes motherhood brings and the anger we never expected to erupt in our storybook lives. Are you the only one who feels like Mommie Dearest? Or is it normal? Can patterns change it before it's too late? An honest look at anger management for parents in the trenches. What causes it, and how can we deal with it?
 
  • Perfect is the Enemy of Good Enough

Are you exhausted by living amid the cult of excellence? Convinced that anything less than 110% is losing? Scared that making mistakes means you are a failure? Or do you have the subversive suspicion that, sometimes, good enough really is good enough? Follow Jill with steps to 'recovery' of your life and freedom to be Jesus' idea of "perfect."
 
  • I've Got a Gun in My Garage, a Sword in My Car, and a Body in My Freezer - Life Lessons from Community Theater

Life is full of improvising, creating something out of nothing, getting out there ready or not, and helping others take the lead. A humorous look at what God has taught me through ten years leading community theater.
 
  • Happily Ever After

Recapturing our children’s imagination in the age of technology. Are we losing that spark of creativity in this generation? What's bad about that? How can you combat the trend when everything around your child aims to turn him into a button pushing pint- sized zombie? Practical plans for fostering imagination.



  • Don't Forget to Pack the Kids

Two options for this travel talk: 
1) Taking your kids on a mission trip--Don't think it can be done? Think again. The benefits, joys, and challenges of serving with your kids, as well as the surprising ability you have to do it now. 
2) With experience in travel writing, I spend a lot of time planning and executing the perfect family vacation. Which doesn’t exist. How to: travel with kids and sanity intact, plan for all ages, take the dream trip you didn’t think you could afford, and volunteer together on vacation.



Recommendations

"Jill's many years of experience in ministry, drama, and writing give her a unique blend of gifts that is a blessing to both the church and the community. Her creativity and artistry are rare qualities, and her voice is one that needs to be heard."
Erick Ewaskowitz, Lead Pastor, Resolution Church


"Jill is a well traveled and published author with a relevant message. She will delight the listeners, and they will leave with a broader knowledge of who they are as well as having enjoyed her fellowship."
Diana Flegel, Agent Hartline Literary Agency

"I personally kept all Jill's freelance articles in my files and used them as illustrations. She speaks and writes from personal experience and from creative stories and in a very clear way."Ken Henry, retired pastor, Minneapolis First Free Methodist


Bio
Jill has been a high school teacher, pastor, editor, and writer, and the field is still wide open for future options. She speaks and writes on a wide range of topics, having published hundreds of magazine articles, one novel, one book of plays, and two non-fiction books. 

Jill has a BA in English and Education from Washington University in St. Louis and an MDiv in theology from Bethel University, St. Paul. She serves as Pastor of Discipleship at Resolution Church in Oswego, Illinois.

Jill speaks on an eclectic range of topics to church, school, and retreat groups in Chicagoland and surrounding areas.

A mother of three interesting girls and wife of one fabulous man, in her spare time, Jill enjoys gardening, directing and performing in community theater, reading, travel, and being a gymnastics mom.


Contact
Website: jillmarierichardson.com
Twitter: @jillmarierichar

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Speaker Linda Rondeau


Linda gives hope to families battling cancer and motivates couples to recharge their marriage.  


Pen Name: L Rondeau


Fees: $75 + travel beyond 50 miles from home

Travel: East Coast USA



Categories: Cancer Survivor, Marriage, Editing, Relationships, Emotional Healing, 

Speaking Topics
 
  • Breast Cancer Awareness

My cancer was discovered after I visited my doctor with a painful knee problem. She realized I was overdue for a mammogram and insisted I get one. Since there is no history of breast cancer in my family, I was surprised when I was diagnosed with invasive cell carcinoma of the breast. That put me on an emotional and physical roller coaster ride. Yet, through the experience, I found God in a way I might not have otherwise.
 
  • The Senior Writer

Seniors are entering the writing field in unprecedented numbers. The older writer faces numerous challenges that younger writers cannot even imagine. What are these challenges and how can seniors best equip themselves to meet them?
 
  • Where Did Prince Charming Go?

Keeping marriage alive for the long haul. Marriage is under attack as never before in our culture. This is especially true for couples who have been married a long time. What can older couples do to keep love alive in their advancing years?
 
  • Thanking God for the Burrs in Our Relationships

Finding healing for damaged relationships. Rondeau relates her own experiences of healing from a troublesome relationship with her mother that spanned decades.


  • Self-Editing for the Fiction Writer

Self-editing is much more than spelling and grammar checks. Rondeau helps the beginning author to look objectively at their manuscript, delving deep to enrich their stories.


Recommendations

"Linda entertains as well as makes us think..."
Kris Moore

"I enjoy Linda's wit and depth of insight."
Charlotte McQuinn

"Linda is a deep thinker and I enjoy her spiritual insights..."
Judy Genaway


Bio
Breast cancer survivor, Rondeau's books are critically acclaimed and include: The Other Side of Darkness (winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel), America II: The Reformation, Rains of Terror, and the Christmas special, It Really Is a Wonderful Life. A former social worker, Rondeau is known for her poignant messages of hope during times of crisis. Rondeau resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her most patient husband and is active in her local church. She is a member of the Florida Writers Association, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Rondeau is noted for her work with senior writers and mentors writers of all ages and genres. Rondeau spent over thirty years in Community Theater and sometimes presents skits and monologues in her speech appearances.

Contact
Website: http://www.lindarondeau.com
Twitter: @wrondeau

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Speaker Cleo Lampos


Cleo gives valuable insight to parents and educators when teaching our young children. 

As a ministry leader, Cleo encourages us to remember the orphan train. 

Fees: $100 - $500 + travel expenses

Travel: Midwest, Chicago area (within a day's drive)



Categories: Children's Education, Children's Ministry, Teaching, Early Education, Special Education, Parenting, Adoption

Speaking Topics
 
  • 5 Books That Influenced My Teaching Career

Books help to shape a teacher's philosophy and calling in education. Five books propelled my career in Special Education as well as teaching culturally deprived children. A time to share the audience's book choices is provided.
 
  • Getting Your Preschooler Ready for Kindergarten

There are so many ways to prepare a child to be successful in school by using household routines and materials. The activities introduced are easy to do, inexpensive, and fit into the normal structure and rhythm of a mother's day.
 
  • 10 Things College Did Not Teach to Prepare Educators for the Classroom

College prepares an educator for a lot of the experiences confronted during the first year of teaching. However, there are ten things that are necessary for a successful career that are seldom if ever discussed on campus by professors.
 
  • The 8 Intelligences by Gardner with a Christian Viewpoint

The eight intelligences developed by Gardner give insight into a person's predisposition whether they are family, student or neighbor. Knowing the basic underlying intelligence gives clues for formulating the most successful activities for the person. A Christian viewpoint of this way of evaluating intellectual gifts is given.

  • Remembering the Orphan Train

Taking in orphans is a Judeo-Christian tradition. Tracing the history of adoption and the beginnings of social work through the orphan trains, the audience learns about present day opportunities to ease the plight of homeless children in this country and overseas. Lampos has attended a reunion of the Orphan Train Riders and has met four surviving riders who are in their late nineties.


Recommendations

"I am privileged to have been Cleo Lampos' pastor for the last five years and during this time I've watched her expand her writing and speaking ministry. Cleo is, in the first place, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and her various callings and ministries flow out of this relationship. She also is in every sense of the phrase, a word-smith. Cleo uses both the written and spoken word to tell stories about God's grace and to describe the world around us in a way that highlights God's sovereign rule. I have and continue to recommend Cleo's writing and speaking ministries to any and all who I'm convinced could be blessed by them."
Rev. Phillip S. Leo, Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Oak Lawn, Illinois

"Cleo Lampos is a warm engaging speaker who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her audiences."
Lynn Austin- author

"I have known Cleo over the last three years at Calvin CRC Church. She has often been a script writer, dramatic speaker and liturgist in our services. As a member of our worship ministry, she has often written dialogues that have helped the congregation understand the meaning and significance of the Christian faith. I have had opportunity to hear Cleo speak in other venues and enjoyed her clear and insightful writing and speaking."
Pastor Rich De Vries, Oak Lawn, Illinois


Bio
Cleo Lampos has taught in the public school system for 26 in both regular education and special education. Her experiences are written in her book, Teaching Diamonds in the Tough:Mining the Potential of Every Student. She has written magazine articles on the topics of parenting, education and inspiration. As a retired teacher, Lampos participates on the worship team of her church, works with the GEMS program and Kids Connex, helps grow vegetables for Share the Harvest, and volunteers in the Bible League Thrift Store. She earned a Bachelors of Education from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a Master's in Special Education from St. Xavier College, Chicago. Ten grandchildren keep her and her husband busy.

Contact
Website/Blog: www.cleolampos.com
Email: clampos@sbcglobal.net 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cleo.lampos?ref=ts&fref=ts  

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Meet Speaker Lena Nelson Dooley


Lena will teach you how to move your writing to the next level. 
As a ministry leader, Lena moves you beyond spiritual roadblocks. 

Fees: $100 - $250 + travel expenses

Travel: Wherever the group is willing to pay for the expenses

Categories: Discouragement, Faith, Encouragement, Writing, Editing, Writing Characterization, Writing Emotion, Pacing, Description, Settings



Speaking Topics


  • Comparisons Equal Discouragement

So often, we are hampered by what we perceive about other people's successes. Our comparisons to what others accomplish or obtain should not be the measuring rod by which we decide if we're making it. I offer steps to recognize if that is your problem and how to move beyond that to where God wants you to be.


  • Understanding God's Heart

Without an understanding of God's heart, we can't recognize when we are in His will for our lives. I share scriptures to help us move beyond the ties that bind us in our present position


  • Getting the Words Right

A teaching that helps participants learn the best way to edit their own written words for maximum impact.


  • Layering Pizzazz

A method that helps authors take their writing deeper into their characters minds and emotions. A workshop that helps them learn the layers that are needed.


  • Settings Beyond Talking Heads and Bare Stages


A workshop that helps authors learn how to weave the tapestry of their stories to include enough description to ground the reader without overloading the narrative and slowing the story down.

Recommendations
"Your workshop freed me to move my writing to the next level." (TX)

"You're an enthusiastic speaker, who kept my attention on your topic for the whole time.” (CO)

Your insights helped me move past spiritual roadblocks. Thank you." (TX)


Bio
Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print. 

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with eighteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. 

Her 2010 release was Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press which won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Lena is currently under a 3-book contract with Charisma House/Realms. The first book released in October 2011. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. The second is Mary’s Blessing, which released in May 2012. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. 

Contact
Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com
Email: safe-ldwrites@flash.net
Blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley 
Twitter: @lenandooley
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley