 |
Linda |
From the Editor
Welcome to the June 2011 issue of the IAC VOICE!
We have a nice treat today, hearing from Vice President Susan R. Meyer. She updates us on the important work of The Coach Initiative and invites us all to be involved in their efforts.
Our featured member benefit this month is Lockton Affinity, with a cautionary note about the real risks that coaches face every day.
In Living the Masteries, Alison Davis has partnered again with Alberto Calderón to explore Mastery #4.
Alison's column includes a quote from Nina East, former Lead Certifier for the IAC. Nina is also our guest author for the Inside Scoop column this month. Lead Certifier Natalie Tucker Miller culled our blog archives for this gem that covers Mastery #4 as well as Mastery #9—two "new" Masteries that are still challenging certification applicants.
Our feature coaching article this month is a new submission from regular contributor Sue Johnston. Whether coaches or clients, she explains, we can be wrong about being right.
Our 2011 submission guidelines for the VOICE are available on the website. Submissions are welcome anytime through the month.
Please contact me with your article ideas and your feedback about this issue. Enjoy!
Warm wishes,
Linda
Linda Dessau, CPCC
Editor, IAC® VOICE
Email: voice@certifiedcoach.org
www.contentmasteryguide.com
P.S. Are you on Twitter? You can follow our VOICE authors and columnists as well as some of the IAC BOG members. Simply visit http://twitter.com/lindadessau/iac-voice-contributors or subscribe to the list from your Twitter account.
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.
Who's Protecting Your Reputation?
by Kevin Lockton
While it is standard practice to protect your physical property with insurance, coaches often forget to protect the most important parts of their business: their reputation and financial security. Unfortunately, many coaches misunderstand how professional liability insurance protects them and their practice in the event of a claim or lawsuit.
Anyone who interacts with clients—as a professional in an educational or clinical environment, or even as a student working on their first internship—needs professional liability insurance. In our litigious environment, your close work with people can open you to accusations of misconduct.
Professional liability insurance does not provide coverage in instances of fraud or intentional acts; rather it offers a financial buffer in the event your professional services or opinions are questioned or you are accused of negligence. When a claim is made against you, the insurance company helps defray the expense of evidence discovery and represents your interests in the event of a trial or hearing.
While many employers provide professional liability coverage for their employees for acts on their behalf, you could be uninsured in the future if the employer fails to renew the coverage, goes out of business or doesn’t purchase extended reporting coverage. Any coverage with a new employer will not respond to claims arising from your previous employment. As well, many coaches are self-employed and do not have these types of employee benefits. Personal coverage allows you to choose the amount of insurance you need and gives you individual control over your insurance premium.
IAC Member Benefit: As an IAC member, you can get a quote, apply and receive coverage from the program in the comfort of your home or office. Just visit the IAC Member Benefit page for a special link and contact information. In just a few short minutes you can have the valuable coverage you need to protect yourself.
Kevin Johnson is the Assistant Vice President of Lockton Affinity. No matter how cautious your approach to coaching, your career and financial stability are always on the line. Lockton Affinity's IAC- endorsed professional liability insurance program is specifically designed to protect its members from the ever-increasing risks of malpractice lawsuits.
Your Feedback
We'd love to get your feedback on any issue related to the IAC. Do you have any questions, concerns, encouragement or ideas for improvement regarding membership benefits, certification, the VOICE, the direction of the organization or anything else at all? Please send an email to feedback@certifiedcoach.org. Please help us improve.
