May President's Letter

Dear CCF Coaches:

Hola de Mexico.

This week I am teaching Leadership course to the MS level class of about 60 graduating students at the University of Celaya in this sunny Mexico. I have chosen to apply the power of coaching to the teaching process. I changed my role from that of a teacher to facilitator of learning. Students have become my customers. And understanding their needs, modes and abilities to learn has become more relevant to me. I am no more lecturing. I find the students are learning more by doing and interacting. I am applying the principles of coaching such as trust, non-judgment, acceptance, empowerment, being present, each student having unlimited potential, and energetic engagement as the means of learning. It is proving very motivating and effective.

The more I apply coaching aspects in my life processes, the more I find the Universe opening up to me. I am finally getting it and seeing it happen. Mexico becomes another step for me to bring me closer to my journey in becoming a ‘living’ coach.

In addition to facilitating learning, I will also be speaking to a group of leaders about the power of coaching; to a graduating high school class about taking responsibility and leadership moving forward; and as a chef, to the students at the school of gastronomy about the culinary aspects of Indian cooking; all as a service to the human society.

I believe it all happens because I have embraced ‘Connect and Grow’ in its true form. Connect in every interaction, and grow with each connection. (Note: I have used the ‘I’ word predominantly this time to indicate my taking personal responsibility for my transformational process)

Where is your journey as a coach taking you personally?

MRC is inviting you. The Midwest regional conference pre-registration was a hit. We are still focused on the two hundred number (attendees) from Chicago-land alone. Let me know as soon as you register for the conference. The web site is complete and very informative. Remember, it is your conference, for the people like yourself, and organized by the people like yourself. Check it out and visit www.icf-midwestregionalconference.com. Any questions, feel free to contact me directly at 847-612-4244. Ps. After registering, do not forget to volunteer for couple of hours of your time; great opportunity to network and gratitude.

Hope you have already renewed your ICF membership. There is still time to do so without losing any continuity (www.coachfederation.org). Become a regular at the chapter meetings. The board members are always there and ready to welcome and cheer you up. The speakers are great. And the value is superb. Every second Monday of the month, that’s when we meet. See you on Monday the 14^th of May. For more information Connect: www.chicagocoachfederation.org.

Wishing you another wonderful month ahead. At your service, Kam Gupta. President. Chicago Coach Federation.citkam@gmail.com. 847-612-4244.

Thank you.

Earning an ICF Credential, Teresa Saxton

Earning an ICF Credential

Here at CCF we get a lot of inquiries about ICF credentialing and the impact it has on the coaching community.  As many of you already know, ICF has recently updated its credentialing program to reflect the rapid changes in the coaching industry and to ensure a standard of competency among coaching professionals.

Many coaches I’ve spoken with have expressed concerns over the impact this will have on them and their ability to either gain or maintain their ICF credentials.  Attached is a link to an excellent webinar and presentation created by ICF to help clarify the credentialing process.  The presentation also contains the steps to gaining an ICF credential and some great tips on preparing for the oral exam.

For coaches who currently hold an ICF credential, CCF offers an excellent CCEU program to deepen your coaching skills at a very reasonable rate.  We are approved by the ICF to issue 1.0 CCEU (Continued Coach Education Unit) credit under “Core Competencies”.   To get more information on this valuable program click on the link to the CCF page:  http://chicagocoachfederation.org/meetings-events.cfm?id=66 

As always, the CCF board is here to serve you:  The Chicago Coaching Community!  Please feel free to reach out to any of the CCF board members if you have any questions about ICF credentialing or the benefits of becoming a member of the Chicago Coach Federation.

Teresa is President Elect of the Chicago Coach Federation and Founder & Principal of Saxton Coaching & Consulting Services focusing on professional financial organization and coaching individuals around their personal relationship with money. Her company advises coaches, professionals, entrepreneurs and small businesses in financial best practices, including optimal legal entity selection, accounting system conversion, implementation, training & support, budgeting and goal setting.  Her goal:  to ensure that all her clients can focus 100% of their attention on growing successful businesses.

Message from the President April

Message from The President

April 2012

Early Spring or Early Summer?

1.      Life is full of miracles. This year is no exception.  We have actually enjoyed the Midwest winter in earnest, including sporadic snowfalls. My life has completely turned around because of my association with CCF.  Our intention of ‘Connect and Grow’ has really begun to grow on me. Connect in every interaction and grow with every connection is becoming a conscious choice. As president of CCF I have met many great leaders on the board, speakers and coaches of high acclaim, new and experienced coaches, students from around the world, and great coaches like you. Here are some of the amazing things I have learned so far. Do not take anything for granted. Life is given, living it is a choice. Keep an open mind. Do what my heart says, and let the head support it. Do not judge people based on my experiences. Remain open to any opportunity to learn. Do things I have never done before. Learn from every critiques, advice and opportunity. It has put me in a place where I experience joy and peace more frequently, and make forward movement more sustainable.  How about you?

Midwest Regional Conference (MRC)

2.      Just heard that the deadline for early bird has been extended to April 6, 2012. Whew! Just if you were on the fence, jump right in. I am going to the MRC (icf-midwestregionalconference.com). The website is complete and information packed. – the keynotes, session presenters, exhibitor opportunities, volunteer opportunities and registration information are all there. You can register at will. Registering before April 6 2012 makes it Early Bird and saves you $100/- off the already low registration investment. Having attended ICF conference last year in Las Vegas, I can sense it is going to be at par in coach experience and value. I feel the excitement in the air. Join my team of, at least,200 coaches from Chicago land.

a.       While there, you can enhance you joy even further by giving a fraction of your time to volunteer for one of the sessions – a minimum of two hours of your time. Two hours to know and introduce one of the presenters and facilitate the session. Imagine meeting someone you have not known before, learning from them, learning about their audience, and meeting them. I think it will be cool. If you have never been in public light before, here is your first chance to start out slow and feel the feel. Who knows, you might become one of the speakers next time around because of this experience. We need 50-60 kind hearted and energetic coaches (my heroes) to come forward and experience joy. Want to rise even higher – become the general coordinator to manage this entire activity. Let me know and I can explain more about it.  Volunteering has its own rewards.

Renew Your Membership

3.      Membership renewal is in full swing. Hope you have already renewed your membership or are in the process now to continue the membership benefits uninterrupted. I find ICF to be a great organization where I can learn a lot in becoming a very effective coach and benefit the coach community. Remember at CCF we love you and will continue to work for enhanced value for the coach community. We are ‘all things coaching’ and we mean it.

4.      Its that leadership time, again at CCF. Want to make a difference in the Coaching community? Are you ready to show up as a leader? Are you full of ideas and inspiration that you have wanted to share? Then perhaps it’s time to be a part of the 2012-13 CCF board. There’s an easy way to see if it’s a right fit for you. Jump in and try out one of our committees. Make a big splash!

Here are a few team opportunities to think of…

a.       Programming—first hand interaction with top names in the Coaching industry as you help our team locate, schedule, and coordinate our monthly meetings and special events.

b.      Alliance—foster and explore relationships with other organizations as well as regional chapters.

c.       Membership—design new ways to engage with our coaching membership.

d.      Marketing—effectively spread the word of all our opportunities and events through our website and newsletter, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

e.       And many more like the blog master, etc.… just ask.

f.       If you know of someone who you would want to nominate, please let us know that too.

Chicago Coach Federation is the place where you matter. Tell us what you think and what else we can do to make your membership much more exciting and worth your while. Weam ready to listen. E-mail me: citkam@gmail.com.

Let me conclude with one of the frequently used term from the movie Hunger Games, “May the odds be always in your favor’.

Sincerely,

Kam Gupta

CCF 2011-12 President