The outpouring of support and congratulations that followed our special issue of the VOICE last month was stunning. As you may know, the IAC does not have any paid staff (in order to keep membership free and certification affordable), so everything is done by dedicated volunteers. Messages such as these
were immensely gratifying to receive:
Hi Barbra: Great job getting the IAC Voice back on track. The IAC has a wonderful opportunity to position itself as the professional association of choice. Keep up the good work…I know how much time it takes to produce a worthwhile publication. Cheers…Rey Carr from Peer Resources
To All Who Are Contributing to the IAC: Please know that all the hard work and dedication that you are doing for the IAC is GREATLY appreciated! With gratitude from Caterina Arends
Thank you to everyone who wrote with support, suggestions and offers to help. It's your involvement that makes this organization come alive!
In this issue of the VOICE, we have a heartfelt farewell message from IAC Past President (2003 – 2005) Barbara Mark. And President Natalie Tucker Miller, IAC-CC answers the most frequently asked questions about the IAC – such as "What does the IAC offer me?". We also have a call for nominations for the
Thomas Leonard Virtual Assistant of Distinction award. And contributing writer Janice Hunter reminds us that beautiful coaching moments are available any time.
And on a personal note, please allow me a proud auntie moment by telling you that the adorable girls in the "Coaching Moments" logo below are my nieces!
In December of 2005 I completed my term as president of the IAC. What a wonderful two years it was. I began my tenure with specific goals for the organization and with the support and dedicated efforts of many volunteers, we achieved those goals. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the people who have contributed to the IAC in so many ways. Thanks to each of you, our members, for your continued support of the IAC. It has been my pleasure to serve and I am delighted to offer my support to the new leadership team. The history of the IAC is strong and inspiring. The future of the IAC will continue that tradition!
What does the IAC offer me? As an independent coach certifying body, the IAC offers a rigorous certification process based on demonstrated coaching skill. Achieving your IAC certification validates your coaching skills and professional ethics in the eyes of your peers and clients. In addition to certifying coaches, the IAC provides a range of member benefits including liability insurance for coaches and discounts on coaching tools and assessments.
What does IAC Certification mean? IAC Certification means that a coach is masterfully applying the concepts that we believe to be the highest standard of coaching the profession has to offer. It means that the coach has been through a rigorous testing process and has earned the designation IAC-CC.
How do I get certified by the IAC? IAC certification's unique position is that it is strictly performance-based, which means that it is entirely based on how well you coach. There are two main steps: 1) an online multiple choice exam; and 2) submission of recordings of coaching sessions. The certification process is explained in detail here.
I've heard that the IAC is developing new criteria for getting certified. What's happening with this? As an independent certifying body not connected with any particular coaching school, the IAC recognizes the importance of creating standards of measurement that are broad in scope and unconnected to any one coach training organization. Since the criteria currently used for certification (the 15 Proficiencies), is owned by Coachville, the IAC is developing new criteria to be used for certification.
The process of developing the new criteria began in early 2005 by a global team of volunteers in an effort to make the standard measurement international in its viewpoint using language that is comprehensive, yet clear and simple.
Coaches seeking certification will have at least one year from the date of the release of the new criteria to complete certification under the 15 Proficiencies if they choose. The new criteria will continue to measure the very high standards of performance-based coaching certification that we have come to expect from the IAC.
If my training is with a coaching school like CTI or Coach U, or I've been educated in a related field, will I be able to take the IAC Certified Coach exam? Yes, but you may want to study separately for the IAC Certified Coach exam. The Learning Guides and other study materials are located here.
Thomas Leonard Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award
On Friday, May 19, 2006, the Online International Virtual Assistant's organization will salute the global VA industry during the International Virtual Assistants Day celebration, which is being sponsored by IVAA.
As part of these celebrations, the Thomas Leonard Virtual Assistant of Distinction will be awarded to a Virtual Assistant (VA) who has been in business for at least 2 years and who has made a positive impact in the VA community.
As you may know, Thomas Leonard is considered to be the founder of the coaching profession and is credited with coining the term "life coach". But did you know that Thomas also introduced the term "virtual assistant" into the English language? Stacy Brice of Assist U was Thomas' assistant, and because they worked online from different geographic locations, Thomas called her his "virtual assistant". Among his many achievements in the coaching field, Thomas Leonard founded the IAC, as well as CoachU, Coachville, and the ICF. Thomas Leonard passed away in 2003.
"Coaching Moments" takes a thoughtful, and sometimes lighthearted, look at how coaching can be interwoven into our daily lives.
Champion the World by Janice Hunter
Sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel, abandoning IAC certification and simply going back to reading inspirational books in cafes. This usually happens when I’m tired and overwhelmed by the workload I’ve set myself.
When I passed Step 1 of the IAC exam, my colleagues congratulated me online. My husband and kids presented me with Sicilian red wine, scented roses and dark chocolate – even a small carved statue of a Christmas angel with outstretched hands to remind me that magic happens all year long. But somehow it felt like something was missing.
I’d learned how to harness what used to be terrifying technology. I’d studied alone for months while raising our kids and struggling with health problems, yet no-one asked me how passing made me feel or what it had taken for me to pass.
I needed everyone in my world to realize how passing would impact on my BIG picture, my goals, long term plans and dreams. The confidence I got from passing was like a halo around me for days and everyone who came near me benefited. I championed myself in my journal but I realized I needed to create a new environment to sustain all the changes I was going through. If I didn’t, I felt I risked becoming distant from the people I loved most. I realized I needed championing, good old fashioned championing, the way coaches do it.
So, I taught my husband to champion. At first he teased me mercilessly, using formulas at every opportunity: “What did it take for you to create this delicious chick pea soup? What strengths did you tap into? What does the success of this salad mean to you? How will these nutritious home cooked vegetables impact on your vision for the whole family?” But then I watched in amazement as he started to get it. Really get it. The more he practised, the more subtle he became.
When I was asked to write for the VOICE, he didn’t just say ‘Wow! That’s great!’. He asked me what it really meant to me and what it said about me as a person. He could have stopped there but he didn’t. He simply asked: ”So what does your big picture look like now?” Then he smiled. Watched the look on my face and smiled some more.
Last week, he coached my son’s football team to county championship victory. No certification in the world could have given me more pride and pleasure than their beaming smiles as they burst through the front door with that trophy.
We all need championing, especially when we’re overwhelmed, down or just plain stuck. We all need subtle reminding of the unique contributions we have to make to the world. So go ahead, champion your loved ones, champion your clients, champion the world! And don’t forget to champion yourself. Often.
Janice Hunter is a former translator and teacher who is currently working towards IAC certification as an excuse to avoid the kids, housework and trips to the hairdresser. She can be contacted at peercritiques@aol.com
IAC Certified Coaches
Last issue we printed a list of the coaches who have earned their IAC-CC designation. Unfortunately, one name was omitted. We'd like to correct that oversight and congratulate Susan Reimer-Torn, IAC-CC from the United States, who achieved her certification in January 2006.
Attention Coaches!
If you are a business coach who travels with your clients on business, or you coach your clients on topics related to business travel, we'd like to hear from you. Please send an e-mail with a brief summary of your experience to president@certifiedcoach.org.
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