ICF San Diego News

June 13th -ICF PRESENTS: PART 4 - DEMYSTIFYING THE ICF CREDENTIALING EXAM

Sharon Saevitzon — Thu, 30 May 2024 16:30:00 GMT

Please join us on Thursday June 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, for a session focused on the ICF Credentialing Exam. The ICF Credentialing Exam is designed to measure a coach's understanding of and ability to apply the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics and definition of coaching, and is an integral part of a coach's credentialing journey. Launched in August 2022, the exam is an exam for coaches by coaches, informed by coach practitioners from around the world who served as subject matter experts at every stage of its development and in the establishment of the exam scoring standard. In this session, Carrie Abner of ICF Credentials and Standards will offer an inside look at the development of the exam, including the situational judgment methodology on which it is based, and offer insights on the exam structure and design that can support current and future candidates in their preparation.

This session has been approved for 1 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) unit in Resource Development.

Recordings of the webinars will be posted in the ICF Learning Portal for those not able to participate live. After viewing the recordings, participants can also earn CCE units with the completion of the learning checkpoint. CCE units will be listed on your ICF Global CCE transcript.

ICF Presents: Part 6 of the Credentialing Webinar Series

Donald E Coleman — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:30:00 GMT

Mark your calendar for the latest and final installment in this year’s six-part credentialing series on November 7 at 11 a.m. (New York). This series is specifically designed for chapters to use in place of their own credential awareness campaigns. By sharing these opportunities with your members, you will ensure your chapter meets the credential awareness requirement in the annual Chapter Activity Report.

Part 6: Giving Back through the ICF Foundation and Ignite

As an ICF credential-holder, you can give back to your community with the ICF Foundation’s Ignite Initiatives. Join us and learn how to create a ripple effect of positive impact in your community.

Register Here

Participants in the live webinars will receive CCE certificates after the event. Recordings of the webinars will be posted in the ICF Learning Portal for those not able to participate live. After viewing the recordings, participants can also earn CCE units with the completion of the learning checkpoint. CCE units will be listed on your ICF Global CCE transcript. This additional resource can be leveraged by your chapter to enhance member value.

Learn more and access recordings of past sessions here.

ICF Pilots New Written Exam for ACC Credential

Donald E Coleman — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 19:05:40 GMT

Are you a newer coach looking to get credentialed? if yes, we have some exciting news for you. To better meet your experience level, ICF is piloting a new written exam for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential focused on testing coaching knowledge rather than situational judgment like the current ICF Credentialing Exam. The ACC Pilot Exam will be available beginning January 2024. If you know of any ACC candidates interested in shaping the future of coaching credential paths, send them to https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/acc-pilot-exam for more information.

Part 4: The ICF Credentialing Exam and a Closer Look at the Core Competencies

Donald E Coleman — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:29:32 GMT

Part 4: The ICF Credentialing Exam and a Closer Look at the Core Competencies

July 11 at 11 a.m. (New York) | Register here.

Join Carrie Abner, vice president of ICF Credentials and Standards, and Aileen Gordon, director of operations for ICF Credentials and Standards for a deep dive into the ICF Core Competencies and an overview of the ICF Credentialing Exam.

Participants in the live webinars will receive CCE certificates after the event. Recordings of the webinars will be posted in the ICF Learning Portal for those not able to participate live. After viewing the recordings, participants can also earn CCEs with the completion of the learning checkpoint. CCEs will be listed on your ICF Global CCE transcript.

**Translation will be available for all webinars using Wordly, an AI translation app. Wordly currently has 26 languages available and after selecting your language, you will be able to view the transcription in real time in your preferred language.

Part 2: The ICF Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC)

Donald E Coleman — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:00:00 GMT

ICF Global is excited to announce a new credential webinar series hosted by our professional coaches team. The March meeting will be Featuring Joel DiGirolamo, vice president of ICF Research and Data Science, and Rockelle Ward, director of global accreditation for ICF Coaching Education.

March 28 at 8 a.m. (PST). Register here.

ICF WESTERN REGION CHAPTERS EVENT: A CHAT WITH DAVID CLUTTERBUCK, ONE OF THE FATHERS OF TEAM COACHING

Donald E Coleman — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:00:00 GMT

GET TICKETS NOW!

Topic: A Chat with David Clutterbuck, one of the Fathers of Team Coaching

Host: DeBorah (Sunni) Smith, PCC

Speaker: David Clutterbuck

CCEs: 1.5 Resource Development

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Pacific Time

Location: Virtual meeting via Zoom.us / Your link to join the conference will be sent after you register.

Description

Today, Team Coaching is one of the most compelling and sought-after interventions by corporate and other organizational entities. This 90-minute talk/ interview with globally recognized David Clutterbuck will focus on his expertise and massive contributions to Team Coaching. Considered the “ one of the Fathers of Team coaching,” he will address how to effectively empower teams to co-create in achieving their common objectives and goals. He also will respond to questions from the various sponsoring ICF Western Region chapters that center on team performance, development, innovation, flexibility, adaptability, and goal alignment.

Learning Outcomes from this webinar include:

Define and distinguish between team coaching with team training, consulting, or mentoring.
Learn how to approach coaching the “client team.”
Recognize the “facilitation-coaching-team coaching” continuum and how to effectively work within its dimensions and intersecting modalities.

About David Clutterbuck

Professor David Clutterbuck is one of Europe’s most prolific and well-known management writers and thinkers. He has written more than 65 books and hundreds of articles on cutting-edge management themes and is an early pioneer in the team coaching field. He co-founded the European Mentoring & Coaching Council, the primary professional organization in the field in Europe, and is now its Special Ambassador, promoting good practice in coaching and mentoring internationally. He founded the International Standards for Mentoring & Coaching Programmes and recently completed a 3-year term as an external examiner for Ashridge Coaching MBA.

David is a serial entrepreneur, having built and sold two consulting businesses. He now works with an international network of mentor trainers, supporting organizations in developing capability in coaching and mentoring. He maintains a continuous program of research into mentoring, coaching, and leader development. He is an accomplished and controversial public speaker in high demand around the world. He likes to practice what he preaches, setting himself the goal of achieving at least one major learning challenge each year – these range from sky-diving to becoming a stand-up comic!

AUGUST 2022 President's Message - The Power of Being

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:23:52 GMT

The Power of Being "To be, or not to be" William Shakespeare. August is upon us! August was named to honor the first Roman emperor (and grand nephew of Julius Caesar). The month of August is marked by majestic dignity or grandeur.

As all of you know, (thanks to me mistakenly sending a message to the entire membership instead of only the registered participants to an event-Oops!) the last several weeks have been important to me, as well as challenging. It brought me to a place of introspection and reflection. I navigated family emergencies and COVID, simultaneously. I also realized the unique responsibility of raising an elite junior athlete.

These experiences have required a great amount of time and energy, and "forced" me to take a deep look at my own mindset as it relates to "being." When everything converges, how do I stay true to myself and what requires my absolute best? How do I prioritize and allow myself to BE?

The famous quote above is so simple, yet so powerful! While the soliloquy in Hamlet is essentially about life and death: "To be or not to be" means "To live or not to live," it brings to light an important choice we are faced to make.

The daily choice of being, of accepting what each moment brings, that health, family, ourselves, are the inspirations that propel us to embrace majestic dignity and grandeur…

In our work as coaches, we often support our clients on their quest to fulfillment, happiness and success-and, as often happens, we may forget to grant the same wisdom and permission to ourselves.

Thank you to all of you for the kind words of support (loved all the fan mail!); to this amazing Board of Directors for always showing up in your greatness; for everyone being there for me and my family during these interesting times.

Check out all of the amazing events we have planned for August!

In the spirit of being,

Gaby

Happy Coaching!

Job Announcement: Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance Mentor Coach / Adjunct Faculty

Donald E Coleman — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:32:51 GMT

Pacific College of Health and Science is seeking a dynamic individual for the position of mentor coach / adjunct faculty in the Health and Human Performance program at our San Diego /Online Campus.

Our current opening is for the following course:

Health and Human Performance Coaching (HHPC): Professional skills (Mentor Coach)

Description: In our Professional Skills course, business skills are taught through the lens of the ICF core competencies. Students practice coaching skills on common business challenges and develop success strategies. Group and individual mentor coaching are provided by credentialed mentor coaches to refine and further develop skills in the application of the ICF core competencies. Students are required to complete three mentor coaching sessions outside of class.

We are seeking a mentor coach with exceptional communication skills who has a passion for teaching/mentoring, and whose enthusiasm for the subject matter will be an inspiration to our students.

Job Summary: Mentor Coach for Health and Human Performance Coaching (HHPC): Professional skills.

1. Focus on core competency development by reviewing and providing oral and written feedback on a series of the student’s coaching sessions.

2. Provide specific verbal and/or written feedback, using targeted examples from the sessions.

3. Listens beyond content to discern application of the skills related to the core competencies (i.e. skill versus direction, skill versus style or skill versus outcome for the client.)

4. Listens equally for strengths and areas for growth

5. Has a working knowledge of the assessment tools used by the ICF in the evaluation of recorded coaching sessions used in the credentialing exam process.

6. Listens both for the presence of individual competencies and for the overall totality of skill level.

7. Has the ability to distinguish which critical underlying competency (s) may be giving rise to ineffective or limited coaching impact.

8. Can discern and articulate the gap between levels of skill demonstrated and next skill level to attain.

9. Articulates with specific detail and examples, what is being observed and the specific development needed to move to the next skill level, delivered with sensitivity to the impact of the feedback.

10. Offers feedback that is relevant to each specific coaching core competency, recognizing strengths as well as potential growth areas.

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

· International Coaching Federation (ICF) PCC certification or higher

· International Coaching Federation (ICF) Mentor coach training

· Business related degree or professional experience

· Experience mentor coaching

Desired Qualifications:

· Master’s degree in business or equivalent

· Extensive experience in university level online asynchronous and synchronous teaching preferred (2-5 years). 

· Experience with Zoom, Moodle, Share-point or other learning management platforms (preferred)

Application deadline: June 17^th, 2022. To apply, please send a detailed cover letter describing qualifications and resume/CV, to Dawn DeFrancesco at

ddefrancesco@pacificcollege.edu and facultyjobs@pacificcollege.edu

Pacific College of Health and Science is one of the oldest and largest accredited institutions training professionals in integrative medicine, more particularly in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, holistic nursing, massage therapy, human performance, public health education, and herbal medicine, including medical cannabis. Founded in 1986, Pacific College is home to beautiful campuses and busy clinics in New York, San Diego, and Chicago and a rapidly growing online division. Pacific College features an esteemed faculty of over 200 professors from around the globe, which conduct ongoing research and educate approximately 2000 students every year. After 30+ years, the College underwent a rebranding and name change transition in 2020, designed to accommodate the rapid expansion of program offerings and student population.

We offer the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of professionals. We are committed to creating a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

Pacific College of Health and Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered on the basis of their qualifications for the position without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, veteran's status, or any other personal trait protected by federal, state or local law.

Job Announcements: Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:03:36 GMT

This is a paid job advertisement.

Pacific College of Health and Science is seeking a dynamic individual for the following positions at our San Diego /Online Campus.

Our current openings are for the following two positions:

1. Adjunct Faculty for Health and Human Performance Coaching (HHPC): Professional skills
2. Mentor coach and coaching student supervisor

HHPC: Professional skills course description:
Business skills are taught through the lens of the ICF core competencies. Students practice coaching skills on common business challenges and develop success strategies. Each class includes peer coaching on their business development goals and solutions. As students prepare to enter private practice, they identify the communities to serve and refine their personal approach to coaching to develop their reputation. They apply cumulative skills from earlier courses to write and execute their business plans. ACC, PCC, or MCC credential with ICF and master’s degree required.

Mentor coach and coaching student supervisor job summary:
The mentor coach and coaching student supervisor observes student coaching sessions, provides feedback to students based on recorded coaching sessions performed by the student and mentor students to achieve the coaching competencies defined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) to support the student’s continued growth. PCC or MCC credential with ICF required.

Qualifications for adjunct faculty for HHPC: Professional Skills

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification
Master’s degree or equivalent
Business related degree or professional experience
Experience teaching in asynchronous and synchronous online environments

Desired Qualifications:

Master’s degree in business or equivalent
PhD in business or equivalent
Extensive experience in university level online asynchronous and synchronous teaching preferred (2-5 years). 
Experience with Zoom, Moodle, Share-point or other learning management platforms (preferred)  
An extensive teaching resume coupled with a student-centered teaching philosophy
Prior student course evaluations in psychology or coaching
Familiarity with instructional technology

Qualifications for mentor coach and coaching student supervisor

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

International Coaching Federation (ICF) - PCC or MCC Credential
A high-level of knowledge and skill with the ICF core competencies
Computer proficiency and skill in the Microsoft Office suite of software and beyond
A high-level of administrative skills and a passion for this aspect of faculty work

Desired Qualifications:

Accustomed to the virtual environment and utilization of the web‐based technology
Familiarity with use of Zoom and Moodle (preferred)
Employs diverse and contemporary approaches in teaching and mentoring
Master’s degree preferred

Application deadline: February 7^th, 2022. To apply, please send a detailed cover letter describing qualifications and resume/CV, to John Murphy at

jmurphy@pacificcollege.edu and facultyjobs@pacificcollege.edu

About Pacific College:

Pacific College of Health and Science is one of the oldest and largest accredited institutions training professionals in the areas of Oriental medicine, acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbal medicine. Founded in 1986, with the mission of training primary healthcare providers in the field of Oriental medicine. Pacific College has campuses in New York, San Diego, Chicago, and Online and features an esteemed faculty of professors from around the globe that conduct ongoing research and educate approximately 1,500 students every year. We offer the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of professionals. We are committed to creating a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

Pacific College of Health and Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered on the basis of their qualifications for the position without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, veteran's status or any other personal trait protected by federal, state or local law.

December 2021: Message from the President - Celebrating 2021 and Launching 2022: A Conversation Between our 2021 and 2022 ICF San Diego Presidents

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 14:00:00 GMT

When I took on the role of President of our Board, I knew we needed to be connecting, growing and learning in 2021, more than ever. We had accepted that Covid-19 had become a part of our life, though we secretly hoped we would wake up one day and learn it had just faded away somehow. We are Zooming, creating relationships with people we have never met in person and even hiring people without meeting them. It feels like a scene out of a futuristic movie. What I’d love next is a hologram Zoom capability!

In preparation for the transition of Presidents, I created three questions between myself and our President-Elect, Gaby Alvarez Pollack. She asked me three questions about 2021 and I’ve asked her three questions about the year ahead.

Questions from Gaby to Shahrzad:

Q. Shahrzad, what are you most proud of for 2021?

A. We have a strong committed group of board members, the Chapter is financially healthy, we’ve had 24+ events throughout the year and we’ve done our best to remain connected with our growing membership. I also aimed to connect with members on relevant topics throughout the year in our monthly blogs (highlights and links here).

A Motto as Fuel in Tough Times

On Developing Good Judgement

On Hope and Optimism

On Transition, Resilience and Agility

The Power of a Declaration

On Voice and Identity

Celebrating Coaching and Supporting DEI

Q. What was the toughest part of the year?

A. Not being able to see one another in person. Although, it is remarkable how close I feel to some of our members despite never meeting in person.

Q. What advice do you have for me as I embark on the role of President in 2022?

A. Know that our members deserve the best. We need to provide them with resources, learning and information on credentialing. More so, we should aim to create a safe place where coaches can connect and build community.

Questions from Shahrzad to Gaby:

Q. What stood out to you about 2021?

A. That it went super-fast! One minute we were kicking off the year, the next minute we are planning the year ahead!

What really stood out for me was how a small group of people – the board of directors, most of whom “met “each other for the very first time while volunteering for the board, was able to work together and keep things moving for the benefit of our members and the coaching profession at large. I have been amazed by the authenticity, drive and commitment to find great programs, engage great people and build community.

Q. What drove you to take on such a big role for our ICF Chapter?

A. I am a natural Achiever (smile) and most important, I am an eternal learner. While I have been coaching for many years, it is not until recently that I became more engaged with ICF. It is exciting to be part of building a strong profession in service of others. I also think being part of such a young chapter is an incredible opportunity to build and create and really shape the future of coaching in San Diego.

Q. What do you have cooking for 2022?

A. Exciting times ahead! I am looking forward to strengthening our offerings and bringing even more value to our members through additional professional development and learning. We will engage with other chapters, partner with other professional associations, serve the community (not only the coaching community, but the community at large) and continue the purpose of helping people in their journey live better, happier lives. Oh, and a big celebration of ICF San Diego’s 5^th Birthday!

Sincerely,

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

Chapter President

ICF San Diego

November 2021: Message from the President - A Motto as Fuel in Tough Times

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 13:00:00 GMT

In a recent ICF San Diego Chapter Board meeting, I asked each of our Board members to share an important piece of advice they’ve received along their journey and how it had impacted them. What I heard was so remarkable that I decided to share the concept of turning advice into mottos in this month’s blog. (You’ll see the great advice at the conclusion of this blog.)

A motto is a statement that you use to express a goal or principle to empower you to guide your behavior and actions. Particularly during tough times when you may want to throw your hands up and give up, the motto can be a savior. It can be a cold glass of water after a long walk; a delicious meal when you are hungry or words of encouragement from a friend, family member or colleague, when you just need it the most. Except, it’s from you, for you. It can relax you, remind you that the journey is supposed to be hard at points and give you inspiration to keep going.

Of course, clients can benefit from creating mottos. You can pose the question in several ways to clients. These questions can help the client discover advice that has helped them or simply a motto:

What could be a motto that you can turn to in tough times?
What might be a saying that can keep you inspired and fired up as you work toward this tough goal?
What is a great piece of advice you live by? How can that be transformed into a motto?

A motto can be particularly helpful when you are learning something new, taking on a big project or even facing difficulties in a relationship.

Another way to create a motto is to think about negative self-talk you have in a situation and reframe it. Following are some examples.

If you are telling yourself, “I’ll never get this done,” replace that thought with a motto like, “One step at a time.”

When playing tennis and not getting the results you want, replace, “I’ll never get this,” or “I’m terrible at this,” with “I’ll get there,” or “I will master this.”

ICF San Diego Board Members’ Best Advice

Barbara: Dream big because sometimes dreams come true

Donald: The 5Ps: Planning prevents poor performance

Freda: Two is better than one. Remember the positive impact of collaboration Gaby: Trust the process

Jennifer: Courage equals cashflow (in all areas of life)

John: The opposite of love is fear. Choose love over fear

Lynn: It's all about your perspective!

Maggie: Do your best, that’s all you can do. Don’t wish your life away
Sara: The power of choice and having trust for the bigger purpose. Everything that happens is for me and my growth
Shahrzad: Don’t give up don’t give up don’t give up

Wil: Following our true desires leads us to our highest paths

All the best in the months ahead as we will all need to continue being agile, courageous and positive.

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

President, ICF San Diego

October 2021: Message from the President - On Developing Good Judgement

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:03:32 GMT

As we move through life, there are times when we must make a judgement call. Often with little information, a lack of precedence and a whole lot at risk, we are tasked with making a decision that will best serve others. We have seen local, state and federal leaders struggle with these judgement calls since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic. They had to decide if there was a proper timing for reopening businesses. If they did, what precautions must the employees and customers take? Should they re-open schools? What actions and requirements would best serve to protect students as well as the families they go home to? Of course, with all big decisions and judgement calls we make, some will be pleased with our actions while some will protest and reject them.

When we look at this from the perspective of coaching a client who needs to make a judgment call, we can channel the ICF Competencies of Active Listening, Powerful Questions and Creating Awareness.

One way of strengthening our judgement and decision-making skills, whether it is for ourselves or for asking a client questions to discover their next steps, is to reflect on yesterday, today and tomorrow. Within each area are specific steps for reflecting on how we’ve handled things in the past, how to get centered and do it today and how to think about what you learned that you can apply tomorrow. All the questions below can be asked of yourself or turned into questions you would ask a client.

Yesterday

A great place to start is to examine your own patterns for making decisions. You can ask these questions to start seeing patterns and where you or your client may want to shift them.

Do I assess the data and risk?
Do I make unilateral decisions, or do I seek input from others?
How have my judgement calls worked or not worked in the past?
Looking back, what did I learn from making the best judgement calls I could make under the circumstance?

Today

As you consider the action you want to take, consider if there are certain biases or assumptions you may have about the situation. Is there a way you think things SHOULD be, versus an openness to accepting things as they are?

Just as in coaching when we slow down and pay attention to our clients, how can you slow down and listen to others? Can we pay special attention to words being said, words that are unsaid, body language and tone?

As you forecast how your decision will be executed and how it will impact others, also consider the importance of this decision, what it stands for and how it can impact the greater good, as difficult as it may be.

How will this affect others?
What will I be standing for if I take this action?
What ethics may suffer if I do not take this action?
Might this action contribute to the greater good?

Tomorrow

With every judgement call you make, regardless of outcome, take time to review your learnings.

Ask yourself:

What did I learn?
What went well?
What could I have been done differently to improve this situation in the future?
Might this have led to growth, as part of a larger process, that I’m yet able to see?
Can this lead to continuous improvement where I Plan, Do, Check, Act? (PDCA)

Here is to your good health, good judgement, and success.

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

President, ICF San Diego

September 2021: Message from the President - On Hope and Optimism

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:00:00 GMT

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Emil Frankl

In life when things are going well and we are accomplishing all that is important to us, we feel mentally and emotionally healthy, hopeful and optimistic. What about the times when we are in transition or things are out of our hands? This is when we can feel like we lack control over our circumstances or that we lack hope.

One definition of hope is a feeling of optimism or a desire that something will happen. What happens when we are running low on hope and leaning toward pessimism and the sinking feeling that what we want will not materialize?

A recent study found that having hope is generally associated with agency thinking. Agency thinking is defined as the motivation to pursue goals and the belief in one’s ability to achieve them.

How do we empower our clients to find their agency thus helping them tap into hope?

The ICF Competency of Listens Actively (which focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression) can help you detect where the client does have meaning and hope.

Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) was an Austrian psychiatrist and psychotherapist who developed the psychological approach known as logotherapy, which found that the primary motivation of an individual is the search for meaning in life. In 1942 Frankl and his family were sent to concentration camps. As he experienced and observed the abuse of fellow inmates in his years in the Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps (from 1942 to 1945) Frankl theorized that inmates who had some meaning in their lives were more likely to survive. The meaning that he believed help him survive was that he envisioned writing a book about his experience and talking to large crowds about finding meaning in their lives. Man’s Search for Meaning was produced in nine days and went on to sell millions of copies in dozens of languages.

The potential questions below may aid in getting to the core of what gives meaning to the client.

Tell me about a time when you found hope in a difficult situation.
What does it feel like to be hopeful?
What activities make you feel optimistic?
Tell me of a time you activated your agency?
What was the situation?
How did you feel in your body?
What did you do to stand up for yourself or what you believed?
How might you apply that power you tapped into for your current situation?

Deep listening involves presence to notice when there is more to what the client is communicating. It is paying attention to the client’s emotions, energy shifts, non-verbal cues or other behaviors. This is possible to do virtually if you slow down and observe the client. You can also integrates the client’s words, tone of voice and body language.

His work resonates deeply with me and for many coaches, I’m sure. Below are some activities that can help clients relax, reflect and tap into what is meaningful to them. When we find meaning, we can find hope.

Gratitude – Write five things you are grateful for every day. This rewires your brain to scan the environment to look for the positive
Movement – Get healthy movement whether it is a 15-minute walk or a gym workout
Support – Speak with friends, family and colleagues who will gently support you. A friend who is a coach is a bonus
Dream – Though you may have hit roadblocks and it is feeling difficult to make progress toward your goal, take time to dream about what it will be like. Download images and make a digital or physical vision board
Self-love – In our efforts to care for others (our family and teams) we can neglect ourselves. Taking “me time” to exercise, get a massage, read or meet up with a friend are ways to recharge and gain hope and momentum. Remember that when you feel good, you are able to show up as your best self
Past successes – Make a list of your past successes. What makes you proud in the areas of family, career, personal goals, community, hobbies, etc.?
Mindfulness – Find activities that help you relax and feel centered from reading, walking, playing sports, cooking, gardening or other activities that allow you to be in flow

In the words of Viktor Frankl, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

Here’s to tapping into hope and optimism for yourself and your clients.

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

President, ICF San Diego

August 2021: Message from the President - On Transition, Resilience and Agility

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

“We can endure much more than we think we can.” Frida Kahlo.

As we are enjoying the summer months and the much needed respite from masks, we have much to look forward to. The Tokyo Olympics are giving us an opportunity to appreciate the mastery of athletes from around the world as well as five new Olympic sports including baseball/softball, karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing. Many children will be going back to school this month and many companies are welcoming teams back in varying capacities. There may also be much transition ahead.

The U.S. is experiencing a fourth wave of Covid-19. It is possible that control measures such as indoor masks and social distancing may be reinstated in the weeks and months ahead as the more contagious Delta variant spreads. After nearly a year and a half of taking these measures, the last couple of months have felt so liberating for most of us as we slowly resumed life as we knew it. This included eating in restaurants indoors, talking to people at a normal distance without masks, seeing family and going to the gym. I personally have felt so free and grateful. A part of me warns to not get too comfortable. As much as there were silver linings to the last year and a half (less commuting, more time with family, investing in fitness, learning how to connect and be productive using technology), there were many challenges. As I thought about the possibility of increased precautions, I wondered where we could seek inspiration, wisdom and hope.

Frida Kahlo came to mind. Considered one of Mexico's greatest artists, Frida Kahlo endured unbelievable physical, mental, and emotional pain in her life from suffering from polio, to having an accident that cost her her entire health, she persevered and continued creating art and supporting political movements that she deemed important for her country.

I wonder from what well of power she sourced her energy, her fire and her drive. When clients share amazing achievements they’ve accomplished, I ask them how they did it. Using the ICF Competency of Evokes Awareness we can facilitate client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy.

Perhaps for ourselves and others, as we possibly face continued challenges in the remainder of the year, we can ask questions to ourselves and our clients that can connect us to our core power, our resilience and a vision that can help us move forward despite difficult circumstances.

What inner resources helped you thrive during the lockdowns that occurred in 2020-2021?
What wisdom did you gain during this time?
What would you do if it happened again?
What do you know now that you did not know then?
How would you advise your colleagues and friends to thrive during times of transition?
What activities help you recharge and gain your footing?
If there were a symbol or metaphor for the best ways you showed up, what would it be?
What thinking helped you be agile?

Here’s to your good health and ability to thrive in all circumstances.

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

President, ICF San Diego

July 2021: Message From The President - The Power of a Declaration

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:00:00 GMT

The act of declaring is a powerful one that empowers us to say what we want. It also sets into motion actions and mindsets to get there. The Declaration of Independence was the first formal statement by the founders of the United States in asserting their right to choose their own government.

A declaration is impactful. When you choose to declare something you are stating to yourself and to the world that you aim to achieve something new that is important to you. A declaration can get your mind and your intent clarified and focused on the changes needed in your life right now to manifest whatever you desire.

In mid-June 1776, a five-person committee including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin was tasked with drafting a formal statement of the colonies’ intentions. The Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence—written largely by Jefferson—in Philadelphia on July 4, a date now celebrated as the birth of American independence.

Over the years, this singular pronouncement has paved the way for increasingly progressive declarations. Since 1865, Juneteenth has been commemorating the declaration of African American freedom and is now an official holiday, celebrating education and achievement in the community. Beginning in 1970, Pride Month declares the rights of the LGBT+ to be open about their sexual orientation without fear of persecution.

Declarations can be helpful to remind you of what you want to achieve, give you energy as you work toward your goals and empower you to be resilient as you work through challenges. Following are examples of declarations clients have made:

• I will have dinner with my family every night as the rule and not the exception

• My voice matters and I will share it in our management meetings

• I will stand up for inclusion and make sure all the voices are heard in our staff meetings

• I will stop checking emails after 7 p.m. and will set this tone with my team

As coaches, we can ask questions that enable clients to declare something they want. In reference to the ICF Core Competencies, this would contribute to Evokes Awareness, which is defined as “facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy.” When you challenge the client as a way to evoke awareness or insight, you can ask questions about the client, such as their way of thinking, values, needs, wants and beliefs.

When the client feels strongly about something, exploring declarations can be a way to help the client explore beyond current thinking.

If a client has a lot of energy around a new action or way of thinking, you can invite the client to generate ideas about how they can move forward and what they are willing or able to do and a declaration may be a part of that.

In the months ahead, think about which areas of your life deservedeclarations. Would you like to be more resilient (I will stay centered in the midst of our usual chaos),have more self-care (I will become a great tennis player and will prioritize it in my life), family time (I will walk with my spouse every other day) or health conscious (I will have dessert once a week).

May you all be in good health and may you make and realize the declarations that are of utmost importance to you!

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

President, ICF San Diego

Job Announcement: Online Master of Science in Health and Human Performance Adjunct Faculty

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 18:37:32 GMT

This a sponsored job posting.

Pacific College of Health and Science is seeking a dynamic individual for the position of adjunct faculty in the Health and Human Performance program at our San Diego /Online Campus.

Our current opening is for the following course:

Course description:
In this Interpersonal Skills course, students hone their coach-client communication and interpersonal skills. Students research personality types and traits and consider the role of empathy, intuition, compassion and body language in the coaching relationship. Students learn how to assess clients’ natural strengths and potential areas for development for the purpose of supporting their peak performance goals.

We are seeking a faculty member with exceptional communication skills who has a passion for teaching, and whose enthusiasm for the subject matter will be an inspiration to our students. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate deep knowledge in coaching and interpersonal skills. Experience in synchronous and asynchronous teaching and online learning is required.

Job Summary: The successful candidate serves as a subject matter expert within their assigned discipline. Experience with personality assessments and ICF competencies is a must.

Minimum/Required Qualifications: 

International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification
Master’s degree or equivalent
Terminal degree required for graduate courses, with at least 18 credit hours required in the field of study delivered. 
Professional experience in coaching in diverse populations (at least 3-5 years).
Experience teaching in asynchronous and synchronous online environments

Desired Qualifications: 

Master’s degree in psychology or equivalent
PhD in psychology or equivalent
Extensive experience in university level online asynchronous and synchronous teaching preferred (2-5 years). 
Experience with Zoom, Moodle, Share-point or other learning management platforms (preferred)  
An extensive teaching resume coupled with a student-centered teaching philosophy
Prior student course evaluations in psychology or coaching
Familiarity with instructional technology

Application deadline: June 11th, 2021. To apply, please send a detailed cover letter describing qualifications and resume/CV, to John Murphy at Jmurphy@pacificcollege.edu and facultyjobs@pacificcollege.edu

After 30+ years, the College underwent a rebranding and name change transition in 2020, designed to accommodate the rapid expansion of program offerings and student population.

We offer the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of professionals. We are committed to creating a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

June 2021: Message from the President - On Voice and Identity

Scott Krawitz — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Dear ICF Members, Visitors and Friends,

As we launch into summer, there is much we have to be grateful for. One thing that astounds me is the miracle that we have vaccines available to us within one year of the pandemic.

A topic that has been on my mind is identity, voice and agency based on something that happened June 1, 2020. I was in a group coaching community and our facilitator Kathryn checked in with us on what client cases we wanted to discuss and if there was anything around business development we wanted to process.

I had something else on my mind. After watching protests following the death of George Floyd on May 25, much of the country was aghast about watching the slow death of a human being at the hands of law enforcement, despite pleas by bystanders for the officer to remove his knee from his neck. The response was visceral as Americans, in all 50 states flooded the streets to protest police brutality, discrimination and racial injustice. In the middle of a pandemic, millions of people came out to share their voices. I was impressed by their courage and worried for their safety as perhaps many others were. Perhaps it stems from humans being hardwired for community and empathy.

I’ve always admired the act of protest and this was no exception. “The most important thing I believe we can talk about is the voice and the awakening we are having in this country.” Kathryn agreed and shared a caveat. “Let us remember that we are all looking at this through the lens of being privileged white women.” I was momentarily dumbstruck. She held the silence. My heart was pounding in my chest and I noticed my breath getting shallow. They were not aware of my identity. I took a few breaths and broke the silence.

“Hey guys, I have something to share. I’m not white. I’m a first generation American and my parents were immigrants to this country. I know discrimination. And….my name is not even Sherry. My real name is Shahrzad. Perhaps that’s why you may not be aware of my ethnicity.”

She gave space, which is a blessing and an art in coaching. Silence, silence, silence.

“I changed my name in fourth grade, not because of the bullies who would chant, ‘Iranian, Iranian’ to shame me for my cultural background, but because of my teacher. One day, she decided that she wanted to find out what each students’ ethnicity was. Dreading my turn and wanting to prevent any more bullying, I said I was French. I then went to the restroom. When I returned, my friend Tatiana whispered to me, “When you were gone, she told the whole class, ‘yea right she’s French, she’s not French.”

I recall feeling flushed, hot and angry. On my walk home, I deconstructed the situation and decided to make a plan. Upon entering the house while mom made me a snack, I shared that I had something to tell her. “Mom, from now on, I don’t want to go by Shahrzad, I don’t want to go by Sha Sha (a rather fun nickname), I would like to go by Sherry.” Although she had always encouraged pride in our ethnicity and having voice, she got it. “OK, got it Sherry,” and gave me a hug.

That executive decision by my 10-year-old self may have prevented less discrimination along the road but at the same time, on June 1, I realized that it hid my identity and voice.

How can I promote diversity, equity and inclusion if who I am is hidden? One June 1, 2020, I made a declaration, “I’m Shahrzad and I’m going to incorporate my true name and identity into my life.”

Sharing this story was not easy for me and yet I feel it is important to share because it was a result of excellent coaching.

The questions I ask you all are:
How do we create space for transformation in individual and group coaching?
Where might you have an identity to claim or reclaim and a voice to share?
Where might you be holding back on something that can help you be more fully self-expressed?
How can we all use our identity and voices for the greater good?

May 2021: Message from the President - Celebrating Coaching and Supporting DEI

Scott Krawitz — Sat, 01 May 2021 17:00:00 GMT

Dear ICF San Diego Members,

As coaches, our superpower lies in serving our clients to tap into their deepest potential. We have the opportunity to not only empower clients to perform and excel in their careers, but also to achieve success holistically in the areas of family, health and community. This month, we celebrate our clients as well as celebrate the inner work we must achieve to be our best selves and excellent coaches. As coaches, we have the responsibility to keep growing and being lifelong learners with a beginner’s mindset, in the benefit of our clients.

Being Mindful of our The Danger of Assumptions

Presently, more than ever, we need to be aware of and empathetic to what is happening in our world. In the midst of a global pandemic, we continue to see the need for diversity, equality and inclusion. May 25 marks the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death. Following this painful event, Americans protested in all 50 states, followed by protests throughout Europe and beyond. The question is how can we, as coaches, support our clients by not making assumptions and empowering them to share their voices, however it may look in their lives? This great post from ICF Global entitled “How to Avoid Dangerous Assumptions in Coaching” shares nine strategies for how coaches can avoid making assumptions.

We wish you all well and look forward to seeing you soon.

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

San Diego ICF Chapter President

April 2021: Message from the President

Yennie Rautenberg-Loya — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 15:33:35 GMT

Dear ICF San Diego Members,

Our Chapter is off to a great year with educational webinars, business development sessions and Networkshops throughout the year.

The robust schedule of events that our team is putting together is intended to bring to you opportunities to learn and practice ICF Core Competencies as well as other important topics for you to expand as a coach, whether you are an internal or external coach, or you use coaching skills as your leadership style.

As a regular cadence, you can expect to have a tuition-free Networkshop session the first Tuesday of every month hosted by one of our Board Members. Each month, we will also have an educational training hosted by a guest speaker. Learn more about our April Networkshop here, and our educational session below. Also join us in our educational training on April 20, titled Creating Coaching Prosperity.

Our Board is looking forward to International Coaching Week, which starts May 17, 2021. Get ready for the exciting events we will be hosting throughout the month!!

We are currently seeking a Treasurer, Programming Director and Communications Director. Please contact us if this is of interest to you.

We wish you all well and look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

March 2021: Message from the President

Yennie Rautenberg-Loya — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:58:10 GMT

Dear ICF San Diego Members,

March marks many occasions: It is one year that we have been living with the Covid-19 pandemic, the first day of Spring on March 20, the first day of the Iranian New Year (which is on the first day of Spring) and very importantly, it marks Women’s History Month and International Women's Day (IWD).

The year 2021 marks 100 years since the passing of the 19^th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. You can learn more about this journey in the National Archives.

For those of you who are continuing your studies on African-American history following Black History Month in February, there are many podcasts and videos you can explore here.

Learning about our history aids us in coaching in a way that honors and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. The more we understand where our clients have been and where they want to go, the more we can coach them from a place of empathy and respect.

This month, we continue providing fun networking and learning opportunities, relevant to the environment we are living in. We kicked off the month with the networkshop on the New ICF Core Competencies, which we hope was valuable to you. On March 9, we invite you to the webinar Time and Action Mastering! More details here.

We wish you all well and look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, MCC

Chapter President

ICF San Diego

February 2021: Message from the President

Yennie Rautenberg-Loya — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 17:20:30 GMT

Dear ICF San Diego Members,

We continue to face our new way of living as the pandemic continues. There is much hope as vaccines are being rolled out to our populations starting with healthcare workers and senior citizens. As difficult as things still are, we have also built many new skills that we did not have about a year ago this time. We manage work, clients and online learning using video technology. We've also gotten creative with how we have healthy movement and stay connected with our family and loved ones. As painful as the pandemic has been, there is much learning and new habits we will all likely take from it.

In terms of our ICF Chapter, the year ahead holds much promise. We are creating learning and connecting opportunities that will fill your calendars for the rest of the year. From learning webinars where you can gain CEU credits and expand your knowledge, to monthly Networkshops which will begin in March, our aim is to make ICF San Diego a place where you can grow, connect and feel at home.

Our February speaker is Dr. Damian Goldvarg. A past president for ICF Global and Master Certified Coach, Dr. Goldvarg will share best practices about The Coaching Mindset. You can register here.

Last, if you are interested in getting involved with an engaged Board here at ICF San Diego, we have an opening for a board member or volunteer, who would help with programming. This role requires about 5-7 hours of time a month. The duties include connecting with speakers, scheduling, creating value for members and supporting our current Programming Director Wil Fisher.

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you all in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD

Chapter President

ICF San Diego

January 2021: Message from the President

Yennie Rautenberg-Loya — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 22:32:14 GMT

Hello everyone,

The Board of ICF San Diego hopes your year is off to a great start. As the new president of ICF San Diego, I am pleased to share some great news.

This is the first year in ICF San Diego’s history (we launched in 2017) that we have a full board. Lynn Levis will continue supporting us as Past-President and Gaby Alvarez-Pollack is President-Elect for 2022. We have two new board members, Membership Director Jennifer Guillaumin and Communications Director Sylvia Zepeda. You can get learn more about our board here. A big thank you to Lynn and the board members who created learning and connecting experiences in 2020.

In the year ahead, we have amazing educational webinars planned for the year as well as “Networkshops” where you will have a chance to grow your relationships with local coaches and share your thoughts on current issues as well as ways to support your clients’ growth.

As a country, we are in a state of transition and healing while we continue to battle Covid-19. Many of you have expressed the stress all of this has brought to your clients. If we are to best serve our clients, we need to also focus on self-care and self-expression and I intend to make our ICF San Diego Chapter a community where you can all have a safe space to talk about the topics that are important to you. My hope is you leave each interaction, whether a webinar or networkshop, not only learning new skills, but also feeling that you have expanded hope, energy and resilience. Wellness, inclusion and how to thrive in business and personally, will be recurring themes in our work.

We are 224 members strong and growing. We look forward to serving you. Should you have any suggestions or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Here’s to your health, wellness and success in 2021.

Sincerely,

Shahrzad Sherry Nooravi, PsyD, PCC

Chapter President

ICF San Diego

December 2020: Message from the President

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:37:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

As I conclude my term as Chapter President of ICF San Diego, I'm in awe of all we've accomplished during a really challenging year. To all who played a role in what we were able to offer to the coaching community in 2020: I thank you for your time and commitment.

Looking ahead, I'm eager for what's to come. Our Elections process has concluded, and the 2021 Board of Directors can be found on our website. This is the first full Board of Directors in our Chapter's history, and when I look at the group assembled to lead ICF San Diego in 2021 and beyond, I'm amazed at the skills they bring and the passion for coaching they represent. I feel confident saying that we've never had a more talented incoming Board.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served ICF San Diego over the past three years, and I look forward to staying connected with you.

I wish you and yours a safe and healthy holiday season.

All the best,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

November 2020: Message from the President-Elect

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:05:04 GMT

Hi, everyone:

During this Thanksgiving week, I am filled with so much gratitude.

In the face of all the complex and challenging twists that 2020 presented, the ICF San Diego Board of Directors has responded with innovation, grace, and resilience. I am so thankful for these tireless volunteers who give us the gifts of their time and talents -- during a really difficult year. Please join me in thanking them:

Maggie Murphy Maertz, Secretary
Chuck Paglialunga, Treasurer
Charles Furman, Past-President
John Murphy, Membership Director
Barbara Noerenberg, Membership Director
Whittney Beard, Programming Director
Wil Fisher, Programming Director
Yennie Rautenberg-Loya, Communications Director

I also want to thank the many speakers we were able to host in 2020. Most were virtual and a few were in person, but all were outstanding presenters. Please join me in thanking them for sharing their knowledge with us:

James Garrett, Mini Habits: A Small Tool for Big Success
Arthur Schwartz, How to Incorporate Conversations That Create Trust into Your Coaching Practice
Gene Gilmore, A Practical Leadership Toolkit: Teaching Coaching Skills for Leadership Development
Jeff Schneider, A Change in Client Mindset Through Learning How to Effectively Give and Receive Feedback
C.J. Hayden, What Can You Do if You Need to Get Clients Yesterday?
Amber Setter, Adult Development Theory: The Key to Elevating Your Clients' Consciousness
Mary Andrews, Change and Resilience: Navigating How Change Goes for You and Your Clients
Sherry Nooravi, Coaching with Presence: Five Keys for Presence-Based Coaching
Mark Hunter, A Conversation about Race
Leah Grant, The Art of Evoking Awareness

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank all of you: the members of ICF San Diego. During a time when ICF Chapters all over the world are seeing a major drop in numbers, we proudly maintain a strong base of 210 members. We're grateful that you remain part of our community, and we look forward to serving you in the year to come.

I wish you all a safe and restful Thanksgiving.

All the best,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

October 2020: Message from the President

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 23:33:46 GMT

Hi, everyone:

I hope this email finds you doing well as we transition more deeply into the fall months. It's a busy time of year for many, and yet I hope you'll make the time to join us for A Conversation about Race, presented by Mark Hunter, MCC. See below for more details and to register. We hope you'll be there for this important presentation.

I want to thank those of you who raised your hands and expressed interest in serving the ICF San Diego Board of Directors in 2021! We received a number of submissions, and our Board and Nominating Committee is hard at work reviewing them at this time. In the coming weeks, you'll be receiving an email with link where you can cast your vote on the slate of next year's Board of Directors. Remember, only active members may vote, so be sure to renew your membership if you haven't already.

Lastly, we're looking ahead to our December gathering and want to hear your suggestions! While we typically gather for a fun, festive happy hour to celebrate the many joyous holidays in December, we of course can't gather in person this year. Do you have ideas about how we might meaningfully connect? We'd love to hear them, so email me if you have some suggestions or would like to help us to plan!

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

September 2020: Message from the President

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 21:29:47 GMT

Hi, everyone:

I hope this message finds you enjoying a restful three-day weekend! It's that time of year when we begin the process for forming next year's Board of Directors. Please below for more information, and be sure to join us for our Information Session next week to learn more about the ways you can get involved.

We hope to see you at our September event. We're happy to announce that we've extended the usual capacity for our events since transitioning to a virtual setting, so please join your fellow coaches for an excellent session on presence-based coaching!

Members: are you taking advantage of your benefits? See below for more information about our Members Only Portal, and contact us if you need any support.

I hope to see you virtually soon! Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

August 2020: Message from the President

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 16:27:27 GMT

Hi, everyone:

Yes, you read that right -- it's August. And what a whirlwind these past few months have been. Many of us are juggling demands like never before, and now more than ever, we need to support each other through these changes and build our own resilience.

We're thrilled to offer a free workshop on this very topic next week. You can register here -- but be sure to do so quickly! Attendance is limited to 50 participants.

Though it may be hard to believe, ICF San Diego's leadership team is already looking ahead to 2021! We are seeking talented and committed volunteers to join us on the ICF San Diego Board of Directors. As I approach the end of my third year serving this chapter, I can assure you the experience is worthwhile -- I've been lucky enough to meet many of our members, build relationships with other coaches, gain valuable Board experience, and positively impact the San Diego coaching community. If you're interested in any of the above, let's chat and find a way you can get involved!

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

July 2020: Message from the President

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 18:11:31 GMT

Hi, everyone:

As we continue our programming in a virtual format, we're thrilled to be able to offer two educational programs this month! Please see below for more information and to register.

We'd love your suggestions for a topic for our August networkshop, scheduled for Monday the 17th. If you have ideas or would like to co-facilitate the conversation, please contact us.

We look forward to "seeing" you at a program soon!

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President, ICF San Diego

June 2020: Message from the President

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 18:35:55 GMT

Hi, everyone:

I'm saddened as I reflect on the last few weeks of racial violence and the history of systemic racism in the United States. With my fellow ICF San Diego Board members, I stand in solidarity with African American communities and others around the world who experience this institutional racism -- which has most recently taken the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Our hearts are with their families.

As an organization, ICF is committed to dismantling inequality, becoming better allies, and driving meaningful and lasting change. As the global association for coaches and coaching, ICF can harness the collective power, influence, and voice of our membership to champion changes that will benefit our industry, our clients, our communities, and the world.

Being the local chapter of that organization, we at ICF San Diego are committed to doing this using our core mission as our guide: by providing development opportunities, building community, and creating connections. Acknowledging our privilege as a majority-white Board of Directors, it is our intention to redouble our efforts to listen and learn from you, the coaches we serve, bringing intentional listening and respectful facilitation of conversations.

In that spirit, we seek voices to lead us in the important conversations that can move us forward, fostering deeper understanding and growth. If you're interested in playing a role in these conversations, we want to hear from you.

As another effort to learn together and hold each other accountable, we've created a topic in our Membership Forum where we encourage all to share the ways each of us are taking action personally. If there are other topics you'd like to open for discussion on the Membership Forum, you can start a thread here.

Please join us in our commitment to co-creating a future that is not like the past.

In solidarity,
Lynn Levis
President, ICF San Diego

May 2020: Message from the President

Fri, 08 May 2020 18:32:31 GMT

Hi, everyone:

As we wrap up International Coaching Week, I'm honored to be part of ICF, and especially, ICF San Diego. We learned that many of you stepped up and volunteered pro bono hours for Just In Time for Foster Youth and the University of San Diego's Nonprofit Institute, and we appreciate your generosity of spirit.

At the same time, our gift as coaches -- our ability to hold space in the service of others -- can also challenge our own self-care. But it's more important than ever that we still dedicate some attention to ourselves.

We're here to support you in that! First, we're dedicating our May monthly networkshop to a different type of topic: how to manage networking in our new virtual environment. Click here to reserve your spot!

We're also sharing below a number of important resources from ICF Global, including the Resources page they've curated, an update on their new digital badge, and information regarding membership extensions and installment plan options.

As we look ahead to summer, we know that our future holds a great deal of uncertainty. But something you can count on for sure is that we'll be here for you. Please email me to share your ideas about ways we support you and the greater coaching profession during these challenging times.

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

President, ICF San Diego

April 2020: Message from the President

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 18:30:26 GMT

Hi, everyone:

I hope this month's newsletter finds you safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. As our sheltering-in-place continues, we at ICF San Diego have been brainstorming about the ways we can support you. As always, we are committed to fostering a thriving community of coaches in the San Diego area.

As we all practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we do not want that physical separation to create emotional distancing as well. In that spirit, we've transitioned our next few months of programming to a virtual format. We hope you can join us:

We're eager to support you however we can during this challenging time. If you have ideas for ways we can do that, please submit them here.

Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay home!

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President

ICF San Diego

March 2020: Message from the President

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 18:28:10 GMT

Hi, everyone:

It's membership renewal season at ICF!

Like many of you, I became a coach because I'm passionate about helping my clients learn and grow. At ICF San Diego, it's our goal as a chapter to help our members learn and grow as coaches, too. ICF membership represents the highest quality of professional coaching, and we as an organization are working to raise the standard for our industry.

ICF San Diego members enjoy:

Discounted registrations to our educational sessions, "networkshops," and webinars, each eligible for ICF continuing education units
Opportunities to participate in Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Access to our members-only portal, including resources from past presentations and a Members Forum to share information
Listing in our Find a Coach page on our website (credentialed members only)
A voice in our annual member survey, which will solicit and utilize member feedback to plan upcoming events and offerings

As an ICF Member, you’ll also enjoy the credibility and community that come with identifying yourself as a member of the world’s largest community of professionally trained coaches.

Current members, please be sure to renew today to ensure you continue to receive these benefits! If you are a coach considering becoming a member for the first time, you can join us here. We'd love to welcome you into our community! Please be sure to designate San Diego as your local chapter to gain access to all the benefits listed above.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Lynn Levis

Chapter President

ICF San Diego

February 2020: Message from the President

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 19:26:22 GMT

Hi, everyone:

I don't know about you, but I often find that once the excitement of a new year wears off and I'm faced with the many things on my plate, those "resolutions" can be difficult to prioritize.

But as ICF coaches, one of our core competencies in supporting our clients is "planning and goal setting." So how can we ensure we are doing it ourselves? Our February monthly event is a Networkshop on this very topic, so if you could benefit from some tools and resources, I hope you'll join me there next week!

See you soon,
Lynn Levis
President, ICF San Diego

Job Announcement: Online Master of Science (Health & Human Performance) Adjunct Faculty

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:00:00 GMT

This is a sponsored job posting.

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is seeking dynamic adjunct faculty for the Master of Science (Health and Human Performance) for Interpersonal skills coaching.

In addition to specialized subject matter expertise, knowledge of its application to coaching is a positive.

Health and human performance coaching: Interpersonal skills (3 units)

Students hone their coach-client communication and interpersonal skills. Integral to these, students research personality types and traits, and consider the role of empathy, intuition, compassion, body language, and more. Students learn to teach clients methods by which they can be more effective in their personal and professional communication.

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certification
Master’s degree and/or preeminent scholarship in the subject
Passionate about teaching at the graduate level
Classroom-based teaching experience at the graduate level
Availability to teach late afternoon, evenings and or weekends

Desired Qualifications:

MCC or PCC ICF certification
Online teaching experience at the graduate level
Familiarity with Moodle, PowerPoint and APA writing style

Application deadline: January 24, 2020. To apply, please send a cover letter describing course of interest, experience and qualifications with resume/CV to facultyjobs@pacificcollege.edu

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is one of the oldest and largest accredited institutions training practitioners of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and massage. It now also offers degrees in health and human performance coaching, and nursing. Founded in 1986, Pacific College has campuses in New York, San Diego, and Chicago, and features an esteemed faculty of professors from around the globe that conduct ongoing research and educate approximately 1500 students every year.

We offer the opportunity to work with a dynamic team of professionals. We are committed to creating a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered on the basis of their qualifications for the position without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, veteran's status or any other personal trait protected by federal, state or local law.

The Inner Work of Leadership Coaches

Sat, 04 Jan 2020 18:24:17 GMT

First published in Coaching World in August 2019 by the International Coaching Federation.

Leadership starts within. As leaders, we naturally and inevitably bring ourselves into our work. The same is true with leadership coaches: In order to serve and support leaders, coaches need to be able to access themselves in a way that they can use themselves as instruments.

A familiar scene comes to mind: Before an airplane takes off, the flight attendant reviews the safety instructions and informs you that, in the event of an emergency, oxygen masks will be available. “Be sure to put your own oxygen mask on first,” the flight attendant warns, “before trying to help others.”

In what ways can coaches put on their own oxygen masks so that they can better support leaders? What does this “inner work” really look like in practice, and how can coaches do it? Try this three-step process:

Step One: Pause

How many leaders truly take the time to pause? In today’s hyper-connected, always-on world, it’s certainly a difficult task. But the benefits abound: By integrating a “pause practice” throughout a busy day, leaders create the space to be more attentive and productive when they return to work.

Leadership coaches have the same opportunity. Despite experiencing the same distractions, it is our chief responsibility as coaches to be truly present with our clients so that we can support them on their growth journeys. What might this look like for you as a coach? Perhaps it means taking three deep breaths before a coaching call. Maybe it’s a slow, mindful walk around the block before going into a coaching meeting. Maybe you meditate, do yoga, or run. In whatever way possible, choose to stop and still your mind, every day, for even just a moment. Any amount of time is a helpful start…for you, and your clients.

Step Two: Listen

We know that our job as coaches is built on the skill of listening to our clients. But what about listening to ourselves? This is especially helpful when integrated with those moments of pause. When you quiet your mind, what do you hear? What ideas pop up? What insights do you have? What do you learn about yourself?

By modeling a sense of curiosity about your inner self, you demonstrate to your clients the power of this type of learning. As coaches, we know that silence is a powerful tool, one that often leads our clients to their own insights and aha! moments, in part because they were given the time and space to bring them to the surface themselves. Give yourself this same gift, and you will find you gain similar insights…as long as you are truly listening.

Step Three: Connect

Every coach’s inner work is a little different because we are all different people, and that’s part of the work itself: connecting to the unique gifts you bring to your role as a leadership coach and embodying them in a way that is authentic to you.

We often think about connection as an external act, but in this process, think of it is an internal one. Ask yourself: What is true for me? What is important in this scenario? How can I bring my inner beliefs and values to the surface here? When you make the time to pause and create the space to listen, the act of connecting to your inner self becomes easier. Over time and with practice, anchoring yourself in those beliefs and values will give you a much deeper capacity for self-expression…which is a wonderful thing for us as coaches to model for our clients.

In the end, the process of inner work is about staying true to your intentions as a leadership coach. During tough conversations or challenging coaching sessions, it can feel easier to acquiesce to the situation at hand. Though it may seem more difficult, choosing to lean into the inner work will yield greater returns in the long-run. So pause and be present, listen deeply and take time to reflect, and engage in a way that is true to yourself and your coaching philosophy. There is no better way to serve today’s leaders.

January 2020: Message from the President

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 17:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you enjoyed a restful holiday season with your loved ones and that you're gearing up for a great year in 2020.

We at ICF San Diego are hitting the ground running this year with two programs in the month of January. See our January newsletter for details, and I hope to see you this month!

Cheers to a great year,

Lynn Levis

ICF San Diego

Chapter President

December 2019: Message from the President-Elect

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 19:00:00 GMT

We on the Board of Directors for ICF San Diego are ending 2019 with a deep sense of gratitude.

First, we're grateful for our community. With 188 members and counting after just two years as a Chapter, we couldn't be more thankful for the engagement and participation of our membership. We look forward to continuing to connect with you all in 2020!

As we move into next year, we remain focused on providing high caliber professional development opportunities for the San Diego coaching community. We're proud of the great offerings we had this past year, and in the spirit of gratitude, be sure to check out my blog post thanking our 2019 speakers!

We also owe our appreciation to a number of our Founding Board members who are ending their two-year terms with us:

Bob Little, Treasurer
Felicia Lyon, Secretary
Kelby Kupersmid, Director
Arthur Schwartz, Director

These leaders have contributed countless hours of time and talent to bring ICF San Diego to where it is today. To Bob, Felicia, Kelby, and Arthur: I will miss working with you all, and on behalf of all of our members, I thank you for all you've for our Chapter!

Lastly, I want us to take a moment to recognize ICF San Diego's Founding President, Charles Furman. We appreciate his dedication over the last two years in bringing this Chapter to life, because we wouldn't be here without his leadership! I encourage you all to join us at our Holiday Social next week so we can toast Charles as he moves into his Past President role.

I wish you all a happy holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in 2020.

All my best,

Lynn Levis

ICF San Diego President-Elect

Thanks to all 2019 Speakers!

Sat, 07 Dec 2019 19:30:00 GMT

Written by Lynn Levis and Diana Long

In 2019, we enjoyed high caliber speakers and educational programming that stretched us, challenged us, and help us grow as coaches and individuals. We want to personally thank each and every speaker for contributing their time and expertise to the growth of our community.

We offered six educational programs this year, coordinated by our Director of Programming, Diana Long:

In January, Anne Egseth and Stefano Olmeti had all of us up and moving, learning about somatic competence for elevating coaching presence in this interesting and interactive session.

Mary Andrews and Brian Conlon joined us in March and encouraged us to ‘play big’ and more deeply explore goal setting and managing progress and accountability. They taught us how to ask more empowering questions so that our clients can tap their inner motivation for action plans.

In May, Sezin Hason facilitated an experience using Points of You, a card deck based on phototherapy that serves to expand one’s point of view, create new awareness, and build connections with one-on-one clients and groups. With our partner-sharing and then full-room debriefs, we had a dynamic and lively discussion.

September's presentation was all about agile coaching, and Alicia McLain and John Eisenschmidt provided an overview of how this process is used for guiding teams in organizations to create effective outcomes.

Aleksey Groshenko and Souheyla Ford took us on a journey in October, teaching us how to understand different levels of the spiral dynamic model, helping to make it relative to where we see ourselves and others. We had the opportunity to have table discussions, exploring new ways to ask questions based on different levels.

We were honored to host Doug Riddle in November. He challenged us to look through a metaphorical lens with our clients, and we stretched ourselves as coaches to go beyond just asking questions about the client's story and rather to play with metaphors.

Please join me in thanking each speaker that shared their expertise with our Chapter in 2019!

PS. As many of you know, we've also done a number of Networkshops -- lightly facilitated networking and learning events at which you all bring your expertise and share it with the group! These events are a continuous success thanks to our Director of Membership, John Murphy, and he'd love your feedback on these events and what topics you'd like to see in 2020. Feel free to contact him and share your ideas!

More Details on Joining the ICF San Diego Board

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Hi, everyone:

I'm writing this post to share more information about getting involved with ICF San Diego. I'm thrilled that there has been so much interest, and I thought it'd be helpful to write a post to put all our information in one place.

I'd like to start by emphasizing that we do not take the gift of your time and dedication lightly. We are grateful for all of our volunteers, and want to ensure that the time you give to ICF San Diego is enriching and meaningful for you. To that end, we will work with anyone who is interested in volunteering in any capacity to find the right match for their time and talents.

Board members must be ICF Members in good standing and maintain membership during time of service. Board terms are typically two years in length, and annual commitments include:

Attendance at two in-person planning meetings
Attendance on two conference calls
Regular attendance at monthly events (at no cost)

The following positions are/will be soon available:

Secretary
The Secretary maintains and oversees all official records of activities of ICF San Diego. Duties will include recording minutes at all Board meetings and retreats, managing Board succession documentation, coordinating and managing regular meetings, and overseeing the annual election process.

Monthly time commitment: approximately 3-5 hours.
Treasurer
The Treasurer oversees all financial aspects of ICF San Diego. Duties include monitoring expenses and revenue, recommending financial policies for Board approval, maintaining Chapter financial records, provide monthly and year-end financial reports to the Board, and developing and maintaining annual Chapter budget.

Monthly time commitment: approximately 5-7 hours.
Director of Event Operations
The Director of Event Operations oversees all operational aspects of our chapter's events. Duties include coordinating event logistics, overseeing the onsite registration process, supporting presenters, and taking photos and videos during events.
Monthly time commitment: approximately 5-7 hours.

If any of these positions interest you or if you'd like to serve our Board in another way, please complete the Expression of Interest Form. Our Nominating Committee will accept expressions of interest until an extended deadline of Friday, October 25, 2019.

For more information on any of these positions or to volunteer for ICF San Diego in a committee/support role, please contact me anytime at lynnannettelevis@gmail.com.

Thank you!
Lynn Levis, President-Elect
ICF San Diego

Join the ICF San Diego Board of Directors!

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 05:34:07 GMT

The ICF San Diego Board of Directors seeks qualified members to join the leadership team. We are volunteer-led organization that thrives on the commitment and dedication of members who want to give back to the coaching profession. Would you like to contribute your time and talents? The following positions are/will be soon available:

Secretary
The Secretary maintains and oversees all official records of activities of ICF San Diego. Duties will include recording minutes at all Board meetings and retreats, managing Board succession documentation, coordinating and managing regular meetings, and overseeing the annual election process. Monthly time commitment: approximately 5 hours.
Treasurer
The Treasurer oversees all financial aspects of ICF San Diego. Duties include monitoring expenses and revenue, recommending financial policies for Board approval, maintaining Chapter financial records, provide monthly and year-end financial reports to the Board, and developing and maintaining annual Chapter budget. Monthly time commitment: approximately 5-10 hours.
Director of Event Operations
The Director of Event Operations oversees all operational aspects of our chapter's events. Duties include coordinating event logistics, overseeing the onsite registration process, supporting presenters, and taking photos and videos during events. Monthly time commitment: approximately 5-10 hours.

Board members must be an ICF Member in good standing and maintain membership during time of service. Board terms are typically two years in length, and annual commitments include:

Attendance at two in-person planning meetings
Attendance on two conference calls
Regular attendance at monthly events (at no cost)

For more information on these positions or to volunteer for ICF San Diego in any capacity, please contact President-Elect Lynn Levis at lynnannettelevis@gmail.com.

April 2019: Message from the President

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 05:30:10 GMT

April is here, and that means International Coaching Week (ICW) is just around the corner. This is a week-long celebration that educates the public about the value of working with a professional coach and acknowledges the results and progress made through the coaching process. To learn more, check out the ICF’s International Coaching Week website.

It’s been a busy spring on the Board of Directors here in San Diego. We’re excited to welcome Diana Long to the Board, and we’re thrilled that she’ll be taking the lead in our Programs area.

We’ve also been busy on the technology side of the house, and we’re hoping you noticed our new website! We have also unveiled our new Find A Coach page, which lists all active members of ICF San Diego who hold a credential. Be sure to renew your membership to be listed.

On that note: all active ICF memberships expired on March 31, 2019. To renew your membership and retain access to all the benefits of being an ICF member, click here.

Lastly, we hope we’ll see you at this month’s Networkshop: Building Your Toolkit of Powerful Questions. These networkshops are free to attend and are a great way to meet other San Diego coaches and learn together.

Sincerely,
Charles Furman
President, ICF San Diego

March 2019: Message from the President

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:00:00 GMT

March brings two exciting updates. First, John Murphy has joined the ICF San Diego Board of Directors and will take the lead in our Membership area. With this addition, Board member Kelby Kupersmid will provide additional support to the Programs area as we focus on growing our program offerings.

Second, and equally exciting, is that during our annual Board retreat last month, your board decided that 2019 will be the "Year of Engagement." The board feels the success of all our activities during 2019 should be measured by member engagement. To that end, we will present exciting programs, networking opportunities, and special interest groups, all with the intention of supporting the unique needs of our members. We hope to do this via in-person offerings as well as with online access to skill-building content on a robust website. It is our belief that the more member value you receive from ICF San Diego, the more engaged you will become.

I look forward to kicking of our “Year of Engagement” with our March 18th program, “Play Big – Accomplishing Results Based on What You Want.” I hope to see all of you there.

Sincerely,
Charles Furman
President, ICF San Diego

February 2019: Message from the President

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 21:00:00 GMT

It is a very exciting time for ICF San Diego. Our first event of 2019, Somatic Competence for Elevating Presence-Based Coaching, was an amazing experience. A capacity crowd of coaches fully engaged in exploring how our non-cognitive being impacts the relationship we have with our clients. Everyone in attendance gained new insights and awareness about how they “show up” somatically. A special thank you to our presenters, Anne Egseth and Stefano Olmeti.

This month, we are kicking off our first Special Interest Group (SIG) which will focus on assisting our members in reaching their ACC credential or moving to the PCC or MCC level. The group will meet virtually via ZOOM and our goal will be to create a clear understanding of the ICF credential requirements, determine what each individual needs to meet those requirements, and provide motivation and accountability. If you are interested in participating, email me at charles@sdleadershipinstitute.com.

ICF Global has launched its 2019 membership renewal campaign, and I encourage each of you to take the time to renew your ICF Membership. Our ICF San Diego Chapter now has over 150 members and we hope you will remain a part of this growing family. Please don’t put it off. Renew today!

Finally, our ICF San Diego Board will hold its semi-annual retreat in February to revise our strategic plan. If you have anything you would like our board to consider during this meeting, please send your suggestions to me at charles@sdleadershipinstitute.com.

Make it a great month and we hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,
Charles Furman
President, ICF San Diego

January 2019: Message from the President

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 04:44:40 GMT

Happy New Year! I hope each and every one of you enjoyed a magical and restful holiday season with your family and friends, and that you’re greeting 2019 with excitement and optimism. We at ICF San Diego certainly are!

We’re starting the year strong with a great educational program later this month, Somatic Competence for Elevating Presence-Based Coaching. In the spirit of the new year and making positive change, we hope you’ll join us to learn how to better serve your clients!

Another exciting new initiative we plan to roll out this year is the establishment of some Special Interest Groups. In response to our recent Member Survey, we’re going to start with two groups in particular: one focused on helping coaches build their coaching practices, and one focused on helping members earn their first (or next) ICF credential. If you’re interested in participating, click here to sign up.

Make it a great month and we hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,
Charles Furman
President, ICF San Diego