This month, I’m thinking about volunteers. As coaches centering our work around coaching practices, we are committed to making a difference. We hope to help people improve their lives and businesses, and in doing so, create a better world.
As members of the IAC, we are committed to a specific set of beliefs described in our vision and mission statements:
The IAC enVISIONs a world where:
Coaching professionals commit to continuously learning, growing, collaborating and holding themselves accountable;
Coaching recipients are inspired to achieve their desired outcomes; and
The world benefits in many surprising, life-giving ways.
The IAC is on a MISSION to provide a highly accountable learning, certification, and ethical framework for aspiring and experienced coaches. Their mastery of coaching is valued and contributes to evolving human potential worldwide.
Many of you have experienced the joys of reaching out to help someone. You understand that, as a volunteer, you get more than you give. You also change the world. Without hundreds of volunteers over the past decade, the Masteries™ would not exist. There would be no articles in our archives, no Master Coach Series calls, no Member Chats, no Chapters. Without our volunteer Board and volunteer committee chairs and members, there would be no IAC at all.
In my years as Secretary, Vice President, and now President of the IAC, I have learned many lessons about organizational function. I’ve learned a lot about leadership and even more about myself. Yes, there have been days – even weeks – I have simply wanted to run screaming from the room. And those have been times when I have learned the most.
Volunteer Coaches Wanted
This month, I want to share a unique volunteer opportunity available to all experienced IAC coaches. The Coach Initiative was announced at the first Conversation Among Masters gathering and creates opportunities for leaders and members of non-profit Boards to receive pro bono coaching. I have had the privilege of serving on the Board and Outreach Committee of TCI and am providing nine coaching sessions to Caitlin Kelly, founder of Africa Volunteer Corps. Her organization “unites passionate, qualified African volunteers with African NGOs to deepen their impact and empower Africans to play a vital role in shaping Africa’s future.” I am in awe of her energy and drive and leave every coaching session feeling excited and empowered.
The Coach Initiative has been a wonderful experience for me and one I’m delighted to share with you. They are about to launch several new projects. Come along – you’ll never regret it!
Here’s a letter of invitation from the TCI President:
March 2013
Dear Coaches:
The Coach Initiative (a 501c3) is a provider of pro bono coaching to not for profit organizations. Several not for profits that are doing important work in the world have received coaching through The Coach Initiative. You can see a partial list at http://coachinitiative.org/ As more not for profits learn about our work, our requests have increased, and along with that the need for more experienced coaches to step forward and offer their expertise.
The Coach Initiative wants you! We are pleased to invite experienced IAC coaches to volunteer to work with The Coach Initiative. We appreciate the mission of the IAC and request that experienced coaches who would like to support our work and coach these valued leaders, please apply at http://coachinitiative.org/for_coache/volunteer-to-coach/. Coaches must provide two references, preferably from current or previous clients. Coaches who need coaching hours for credit are not eligible.
This is for experienced coaches only. Coaches who volunteer are matched with one client with whom they work in a formal coaching arrangement for a three month period. (3x per month – 45min to 1 hour sessions).
Time zones, unique areas of interest, and language differences are also carefully considered when our matching process is done.
Please feel free to email any questions you may have about this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Before I move away from the subject of volunteers, I would be remiss if I did not remind you that we also have many wonderful opportunities within the IAC. These include chairing our volunteer committee! We are looking for more members of the Membership, Chapters and Licensing committees and a few people with research backgrounds to help us get the Research Forum fully functional. You can contact secretary@certifiedcoach.org to express your interest.
On April 24th, I will have a Master Coach interview with Natalie Tucker Miller, Past President and Lead Certifier. Register here. In May, I will be speaking with past Board member, licensee and virtual chapter founder Dr. Doris Helge. Register here.
Finally, our wonderfully ambitious Asian colleagues have created a conference, chaired by Vice President Krishna Kumar, in Bangalore, India LEADERSHIP MASTERIES – THE NEW MANTRAS: Coaching Sutras for Enlightened Leadership will be held on June 6 & 7, 2013. Sir John Whitmore will be the keynote speaker.
With warm wishes for your success, Susan R. Meyer
Susan R. Meyer, MMC 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.
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