This month's VOICE is an exceptionally important issue, as we announce several changes and implementations that will begin January 2007.
Our organization has seen impressive growth since its inception in 2003, and we continue to attract members at a rate of more than 100 new sign ups a month. This past week we hit the 10,000 mark, and are up to almost 50 certified coaches.
I know you are eager to read about the changes, so I'll sign off here and let you go right into President Natalie Tucker Miller's announcements.
The IAC Board of Governors, past and present, and several others who have volunteered in various capacities, have spent countless hours working to achieve what the IAC has set out to do: advance coaching to the highest standards of universal excellence.
We hear from our members regularly, it's become increasingly evident that the IAC is an organization that coaches want and need! How gratifying for the people who have worked on behalf of our members over the years. Additionally, membership committee chair, Michelle Casto, conducted a survey last fall which has guided us tremendously. The work of our strategic planning committee has been invaluable in our crafting these upcoming changes, as well.
Access to a "members only" feature in the Voice, including an expanded "Certifier's Corner", where the certifiers will offer valuable insight and advice for the certification process.
Transition to our new, up-to-date coaching measures, the IAC Coaching Masteries
Expanded member benefits, including the COGs and others which we'll feature in the next several issues of the Voice.
Marketing campaigns that will focus on the benefits of hiring IAC certified coaches.
And several other "in the works" enhancements.
As a membership organization, the people who offer their time and expertise to serve the members welcome your continued support through your comments and suggestions. Your commitment to coaching and the IAC as your professional coaching organization is duly noted, honored and appreciated.
Due to the anticipation of a high mail volume as we transition, please send your comments related to the growth of the IAC to:
And because of the volume of mail we receive, we may not be able to answer individually. We will, however, do our best to answer questions in upcoming issues of the Voice and/or the FAQS page on our website.
Appreciatively, Natalie Tucker Miller, IAC-CC
A New Name Reflects A Broader Mission by Diane Krause-Stetson, IAC-CC, Vice President of the IAC Board of Governors
At its September meeting, the IAC Board of Governors reinforced its commitment to an expanded mission of evolving the highest standards of universal excellence in coaching. In practical terms, what this means is the Board unanimously voted to change the IAC’s name to the "International Association of Coaching" effective January 2007.
What's in a name?
Is there a difference? What is a coach? What is coaching? Instead of limiting the IAC's focus to individuals who have decided to enter into the profession of coaching, the organization will serve all professionals who recognize the value of coaching and apply the coaching approach to their particular profession. The coaching approach has caught on. The techniques, skills and art of coaching are used in a number of professions, including business management, teaching, nursing, and counseling.
By expanding the mission and focus of the IAC and welcoming this broader group of professionals, our organization can have a greater influence on advancing the highest standards of universal excellence in coaching, regardless of the context in which the coaching is offered or the title of the person serving as the coach.
Being a coach vs. being an effective coach
This discussion is not new. From the beginning, Thomas J. Leonard opined that "Everyone is a coach". Then, as the proficiencies were developed, taught and implemented, it became clear that while anyone can call himself a coach, not everyone can coach proficiently. For the benefit of the profession of coaching, standards were developed and continue to evolve (most recently in the IAC Masteries). A certification process was designed, with a panel of masterful coaches ensuring someone with an IAC certification can demonstrate coaching ability at the highest level.
Profession vs. professionalism
At the outset of the development of the IAC Masteries, the team focused on the behaviors and abilities that appear during a masterful coaching conversation. These masterful coaching behaviors and abilities could easily be present between a coach and a client, a teacher and a student, or a manager and a direct report. It became clear that it is the way in which the interaction and dialogue is demonstrated, and not the title of the person who is engaged in the act of coaching, that is critical to the professionalism of coaching. Again, this is a subtle shift in wording: "professionalism" versus "profession".
Coaches vs. coaching
Last year, I read an essay called "Project Coaching: Nouns and Verbs" by Lable Braun. Lable's essay argues that coaches should return to (or not leave) the corporate world to become a coach but to remain within the business world and embrace the many opportunities to coach. (Editor's note: Lable Braun's essay will be printed in the next issue of the VOICE.)
And voila! A new name for the IAC
I thought Lable's essay was an elegant and compelling illustration of the importance of expanding the conversation in the coaching field, and indeed within the IAC as an organization. After much heartfelt discussion, the IAC decided to use the term "coaching" instead of "coaches" in its name. It's a subtle but powerful reminder to us all about the larger arena in which we can be of service.
Community Outreach Groups by Michelle Casto, IAC Membership Chair
Starting January 2007 the IAC will be providing some exciting new benefits for our membership. One of these benefits is what we call "Community Outreach Groups", or COGs for short. The first two COGS to launch are "What's Working in My Business" and "What's Working in My Coaching".
These communities will be hosted on the IAC site, so anyone who is a paid member will have access to this valuable service. Each COG will be hosted by a Lead Coach who will provide the direction, thought starters and be the go-to person for questions.
We're very excited about this new way of connecting members and creating community. We will add new COGs as we go, based on the interest of the membership.
If you're interested in being part of this project, please submit a volunteer application indicating your interest in COGs.
Respectfully, Michelle Casto IAC Membership Chair
IAC Certified Coaches
We would like to congratulate the following coach who has recently passed the IAC certification exam and achieved IAC-CC designation!
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