International Association of Coaching Blog

Vice-President’s Message

by Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC
VicePresident@CertifiedCoach.org

Volunteerism, Gratitude and Giving Back

As a coach, I find many things to be grateful for—discovering and being part of this profession, being part of wonderful communities like the IAC, and having incredible large and small opportunities to give back to the coaching community and the world at large. This month, I’m expressing gratitude for Bob Tschannen-Moran’s work as President by volunteering to write this column for him.

I’d also like to express my gratitude for all the other volunteers that keep the IAC running. Without the people who volunteer as members of the Board of Governors, Committee Chairs and Committee Members, the IAC would simply cease to exist.

This is true for most not-for-profit organizations. They may have no funds or only enough for part-time support, so it is the selflessness of volunteers that allows them to fulfill their missions. This month, I’d like to draw your attention to one volunteer organization that was created to support not-for-profits and invite you to think about getting involved.

The Coach Initiative (TCI) was introduced four years ago at the first Conversation Among Masters™ conference in Monterey, California. TCI’s vision is to “exponentially expand the positive global impact of not-for-profit initiatives that focus on the betterment of the human condition and on uplifting the human spirit.” Their mission is to do this by providing these organizations with pro bono coaching for 90 days.

As someone who has been a TCI coach and is currently on the TCI Board, I find this is a wonderful way to do some really interesting coaching and to give back at the same time. So far, we have provided coaching to the following organizations: Standup for Kids, Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information, Center for Amazon Community Ecology, Apoolo Na Angor (Development of Women) in Uganda, Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Mount Madonna School, Search for Common Ground, Sparkseed, Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation, Free the Children, Habitat for Humanity, Young Women’s Project, Girls, Inc., World Vision UK, Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District, New Mexico GLBTQ Centers, and Young Women’s Project.

How can you help? During 2011 we are hoping to increase the number of coach volunteers to 100 and the number of organizations receiving coaching to 100 as well. If you are an experienced coach interested in donating your time, you can go to the website to complete a short application. If you are part of a Board or know a not-for-profit that could use a little extra support, you can help them complete the short application on our website. Finally, if you would like to make a financial contribution, funds are always welcome, and, of course, there’s a link on their website, www.Coachinitiative.org.

 
Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting and of Life-Work Coach. She provides personal and executive coaching and facilitates seminars on topics including life planning, emotional intelligence, leadership development, communication, and coaching skills for managers. www.susanrmeyer.com.

BOG Action News

by Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC

During October, we had some changes in the BOG Executive Committee. We are pleased to announce that Kristi Arndt is the new Secretary and Susan R. Meyer has stepped into the role of Vice President.

As we continue to implement our five-year plan, there are exciting opportunities for members to step up and join the team and we'd love to have more people playing!

With Kristi taking on the role of Secretary, we are looking for someone to head the Volunteer Committee. This is a great chance to get to know the membership as well as to work on key projects. As well, we need someone to head the Membership Committee.

We appreciate all the BOG members who are serving in multiple capacities and we would love to have more people playing. For example, Kerryn Griffiths has been working overtime on multiple projects. She currently chairs the Research Committee and has been serving as interim head of the Membership Committee. Most recently, she is supporting Jenny Blake in getting the new website up and running. That's a lot for one Board Member!

You could also join a committee without actually heading it. The Research, Membership, Licensing, Member Benefits (Kerul Kassel has been handing this solo), and Volunteer committees can all use your support. You can contact me at Vicepresident@certifiedcoach.org to let me know how you'd like to get more involved.

 

Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting and of Life-Work Coach. She provides personal and executive coaching and facilitates seminars on topics including life planning, emotional intelligence, leadership development, communication, and coaching skills for managers. www.susanrmeyer.com.

BOG Action News

 by Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC

We are lucky to attract such qualified talent to serve on our Board of Governors. Since that is the case, our members are often being continually courted by multiple opportunities and requests for their time. In September, we were sorry to accept the resignations from the BOG of Sue Brundege and Joan Marie Johnson.

• Sue has played a very active role in IAC communications and has most recently held major responsibility for the redesign of our website, due to roll out by late November.
• Joan has served admirably as Vice President and has taken the responsibility of moving us towards implementing the Strategic Plan.

Both expressed regret that the expansion of other roles will take them away from the BOG and both plan to remain active, committed IAC members. Bob spoke on behalf of the entire BOG in wishing them well and expressing our huge gratitude for their contributions.

We are finalizing the process for our new Learning Agreements and are excited to be ready to implement this program. All members can feel free to use the forms to plan their personal development as IAC coaches. Anyone holding an IAC certification will be filing forms annually. Next month, we will share more information and ways in which IAC will support your learning.

 

Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting and of Life-Work Coach. She provides personal and executive coaching and facilitates seminars on topics including life planning, emotional intelligence, leadership development, communication, and coaching skills for managers. www.susanrmeyer.com.

BOG Action News

by Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC

The BOG is pleased to announce approval of a strategic partnership with ReciproCoach. The program will be in place in the Fall of 2010. Details will follow as to how IAC members can participate in this unique opportunity to give and receive coaching.

Work continues on implementing the Strategic Plan. We are currently writing job descriptions for key committee leadership positions. We are still looking for a Strategic Plan Launch Coordinator and a Fundraising/Grant Writing Coordinator. This will be an exciting way for members to become more involved in the growth of the IAC.

The redesign of the IAC website is nearing completion and should be up and running by the end of September. A new logo was approved and will be incorporated into the new website design and made available for members to add to their own websites.

Prior to the meeting, Doris Helge submitted her resignation from the Board. She will continue to serve the IAC through her excellent work with the New Members Chapter.

 

Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting and of Life-Work Coach. She provides personal and executive coaching and facilitates seminars on topics including life planning, emotional intelligence, leadership development, communication, and coaching skills for managers. www.susanrmeyer.com.

BOG Action News

by Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Kerul Kassel, IAC Member Benefits Coordinator, three new benefits have recently been added. Please visit for more details about the offers from Bulls Eye Coaching, OnCoach and the International Journal of Coaching in Organizations.

During the past month, the BOG regretfully accepted the resignation of Yoram Gordon and Bonnie Chan. Yoram was an active member of the Strategy Committee, and Bonnie had graciously continued on the BOG past the end of her term in order to support the translation of the Masteries as well as many other projects. Past President, Angela Spaxman, said this about Bonnie:

I've known Bonnie since the early 2000s when she first got interested in coaching and very quickly began to make her leadership felt in Hong Kong. Bonnie has a big vision of coaching, especially in terms of the positive difference it can make in her home country, China. Since joining the IAC Board of Governors in 2007, Bonnie has made a huge contribution through her energy, initiative, creativity and focus. She has been instrumental in many projects, although she is always very modest about her contributions. She created systems and teams to deliver quality translations of the Masteries and the online exam into key languages. She formed leadership teams for several IAC Chapters in Asia and built supportive connections between them. She was the vision and driving force behind the IAC's first conference held in Shanghai earlier this year. She continues to contribute to the IAC Certification Board, especially in their efforts to bring the benefits of certification to different language groups.

I'm sure that we'll continue to see Bonnie's influence, not only through the legacy she has created already, but perhaps in even bigger ways! I'm very grateful to know that she is always working her magic towards our common goals.

We expect to roll out many aspects of the Strategic Plan by September; Bob, Joan, Angela, Susan and volunteer Aileen Gibb continue to work on the implementation process. There are great volunteer opportunities to be had as the IAC grows, such as the Membership Committee, Licensing Committee, Communications Committee or Volunteer Committee. Or you can contact Kristie Arndt at kristiarndt@yahoo.com to suggest your own special area of interest.

  

Susan R. Meyer, IAC-CC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting and of Life-Work Coach. She provides personal and executive coaching and facilitates seminars on topics including life planning, emotional intelligence, leadership development, communication, and coaching skills for managers. www.susanrmeyer.com.