New Beginnings
By Karen Failes-Coad, President ICF Minnesota
The beginning of a New Year causes me to pause, reflect and consider what might be in store for me in the next 12 months. One thing I am looking forward to is serving as the new President of ICF Minnesota. I feel honored to serve with a board of 16 talented and committed committee members who are enthusiastic and passionate about the power and benefits of coaching. We are committed to live out our vision of coaching being a “sought after catalyst for growth in our multicultural community.”
· We humbly serve our coaches, clients and community with purpose
· We create an environment of belonging and caring for our coaches
· We foster shared learning and development of coaches to better support clients and the community
· We stand for diversity and equity in coaching
Throughout 2022, ICF Minnesota offered 12 events, 1 each month, that provided the opportunity to grow, learn, build relationships and celebrate in a variety of formats. If a coach participated in all of these events, they would have earned 12 CEUs to enhance their ICF certification journey!
Our membership in ICF Minnesota continues to grow, along with the overall coaching profession. In 2023, we will continue to provide monthly offerings and we’re trying some new, additional opportunities:
· One hour peer coaching sessions facilitated by a member of our Professional Development Committee
· One hour coaching demonstrations with a PCC or MCC coach
· A pro bono coaching program is in the planning stages
We welcome your participation in all of these events and invite you to reach out to others who may be interested in these events!
Before I share my last thoughts, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the recent Presidents of ICF Minnesota; Deb Johnson, Cheryl Hegland and most recently Ann Houser, who have been incredible mentors to me. I’ve learned many things from each of them and they’ve prepared me well for this new role especially because they each bring unique, professional, and meaningful advice to our conversations. I’m also thankful that I will be working side by side, with our new President-Elect, Holly O’Hanlon who brings tremendous coaching and leadership experience to our team!
I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite poems, by one of my favorite poets, John O’Donohue. It is aptly named “ For a New Beginning.” So much of this poem speaks to me not only personally at this time, but it also shines a light on our work as coaches.
All best wishes as you begin 2023 and explore new adventures!
For A New Beginning
By John O’Donohue
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
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