Outgoing President's Letter

1. Farewell and Aloha

I learned in my coach training and in personal development seminars, “When one door closes, many other doors open as disguised opportunities.” My year as ICF- Chicago Chapter President has been a living example for me to highlight that perspective. That is so exciting because it has also given me the strength to push or pull open doors that are now visible to me, which I did not see before.

I am so thankful, so energized, and so humbled by the fact that I was able to follow my dreams and my vision as a chapter leader and enable other Board members to avail of the same opportunities. I thank our Board members who are fantastic individuals. [For a complete list of the current Board members, look up http://www.icf-chicago.org/]

I have heard from many chapter members words of encouragement, enthusiasm, and support. They experienced value, freedom, and liberty while attending the meetings and other chapter-sponsored events. I thank our ICFC members for being the pioneers to create a powerful entity by choosing/ electing the board member who represents integrity and courage.

Coaches on the Board bring diverse and different perspectives and create something unique together. The ICFC has a mission of being ‘all things coaching’. A premier resource for the coaches, aligned with the Chicago coaching community and with its parent organization – ICF.

Soon you will hear about your new board. Please welcome them. I am sure you will also give them your full support, as well as challenge them to make sure they are at their best as coaches, and as leaders. I will continue to remain on the Board as immediate past president and support the new President and the Board in as many ways I can. I encourage you to frequently visit the web site http://www.icf-chicago.org/.

2. ICF Global 2012 (A fairy tale kind of conference)

Well, pretty close. ICF is having their ICF Global conference in London on October 3-6, 2012. Visit: http://coachfederation.org/London2012/. This is perhaps the first time ICF is holding its conference outside of  the USA and it is bound to bring lots of international and interesting coaches together. So go ahead and register early at specially discounted rates.

Break out of your routine and recharge this October. Return to work with a fresh perspective and new knowledge. And while you're in London, take some time to enjoy some of the area's many attractions - there's so much to choose from! This year, TripAdvisor has named London the "best place to visit on the planet." Millions of travelers have spoken, elevating London to destination number 1 in the Travelers' Choice Award for Top 25 Destinations in the World. 

Who knows, a glimpse of the Queen or a visit with one of the princes or princesses might be an intentioned encounter. After all, we are coaches and capable of making our dreams come true.

As an ICF Global conference liaison, I will be periodically updating you with the latest news about the ICF Global Conference on the ICFC website and other social media. In case of any questions, please feel free to contact me citkam@gmail.com. Let me know when you decide to become London bound!

3. Question for the Coaches

What have you been doing more of ‘changing’ or ‘growing’? Changing does not necessarily lead to growth. Growing always leads to change. So the question is, ‘how are you growing and in what ways are you changing?’

See you at the chapter meeting in September.

Wishing you always the best path in realizing your dreams with love, admiration, and joy to all my fellow coaches and guests of ICF-Chicago.

Kam Gupta. citkam@gmail.com. 847-612-4244