Letter from the President: We Are Headed to the Mountaintop

We Are Headed to the Mountaintop

Although the temperature outside at the time of this writing would belie this truth, we are into the Fall and the last few months of the year. Your ICFTN Board has worked this year to bring you great programming, engage members through volunteerism and networking and promote our profession within the community. Our focus has been on you, the member, and the importance you place on professional development. Throughout the year our programs have been dedicated to the ICF core competencies critical to our success as coaches. 

In November we will welcome Mark Wallace, PhD., Dean, The Graduate School at Vanderbilt University, and Professor of Hearing & Speech Sciences, Psychology and Psychiatry in the discussion of Neuroscience and Active Listening. The first part of the presentation will focus on describing how multisensory interactions shape our view of the world (using some compelling illusions as examples) and highlight some of the underlying brain processes that support effective listening. The second part of the talk will focus on how our multisensory brain can be changed through training, and how such brain plasticity can be directed to improve cognitive abilities and executive function of both coaches and those they coach.

At our final program for 2019 in December we will utilize the tremendous talent and experience in the room and expand our collective knowledge through table topics facilitated by peers. We will open the Gift of Coaching in time for the holidays. Join your peers to share and learn on topics including:

• The Agreement

• Assessments

• Presence

• Unique Business Development Practices

• Social Media

We are all better and more accomplished coaches because of the network we share through ICFTN. See you on November 8 and December 13. 

P.S. The December meeting will also include our annual chapter awards. Pam Brown, Past President notes, "During a recent discussion about the Call for ICFTN Award Nominations, someone asked, 'If we don’t believe in our profession enough to nominate deserving coaches, how can we expect businesses and individuals to prioritize coaching?' It’s a thought-provoking question." ICF-TN believes in recognizing coaches, as well as corporations that support coaching, so please nominate deserving ICF-TN Members and Coach-supporting Organizations by filling out a nomination form. Nominations are open through October 31. Read more about the various awards and how to nominate by clicking here.

Donna Yurdin, ICFTN President