President's Letter
Coaching has re-opened my eyes to the value of not only having a good coach (or three) but also the importance and value of having a mentor and a good support system. While these concepts are not new to me, I’ve been reminded of their importance in both physical and mental aspects recently. I feel blessed to have the support systems and mentors I do in my life.
A friend and I recently rode our bikes 70 miles; a task I have never challenged my mind or body with before. While my friend is an accomplished rider (she’s ridden to Chicago in the past), she has not been riding consistently for years and while I’ve ridden off and on for years as well, the training we are doing this summer in preparation for riding a Century (100 miles) has required me step up my game in the distance area.
I suspect by now you are asking yourself what does this have to do with coaching? In all honestly, not much other than I have once again been reminded of the importance of having a mentor, a coach and a good support system.
Our ride this past Saturday, was by far, our most difficult: mentally and physically. While we thought we were prepared in both areas, no amount of physical or mental prep can prepare you for a crappy trail and ride. We’ve gradually increased our mileage with our last ride being 50 miles and it was almost easy, so we were not prepared to have 70 miles be so difficult. While the physical difficulty can largely be attributed to the trail being old, not maintained and extremely rough, it ultimately carried over to the mental challenges we were faced with as we endured each mile.
This is where having a great mentor comes in. She made sure we didn’t push too hard on speed and that we tried to enjoy it as much as possible, as well as, knowing when we had gone as long as physically possible on protein bars and electrolytes. We needed caffeine and calories in the form of real food!
Around the same time we stopped to refuel, two texts came in from my personal support system. One said “You can do it!!!”. It was just the encouragement I needed to finish the ride.
The physical challenge disrupted my mojo; yet having access to my support system allowed me to still reach my goal. Do you have a support system? In one of those areas, two or all three? While I often access them individually, I’ve rarely found the need to access them all on the same day like I did for this ride. The realization was a great reminder of how important they are to me, as well as, how grateful I am to have them in my life!
Enjoy!
Shari Fruechte, ACC, CAP, OM
ICF Minnesota President
Gaston and Prism Awards
September 18, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Ballroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Minneapolis, MN.
Prism Award:
The Prism Award recognizes and celebrates organizations who have created excellence and enhanced effectiveness through their commitment to and utilization of coaching as a part of their leadership strategy.
Please join us on Tuesday evening, September 18, as we hear from three organizations on how coaching has made a positive difference in their places of work. Each of the three nominees will present and discuss the:
• key needs, objectives, or priorities addressed through the implemented coaching program
• coaching process and methodology used
• scope of the coaching initiative
• influence, value and impact that the coaching initiative has had on the organization
They will show how their coaching initiatives have addressed key goals, shaped organizational culture and yielded discernible and measurable positive impacts.
Gaston Award:
Every year, ICF Minnesota honors one of our own who has made an outstanding contribution to coaching and the coaching community. The award is named after Elaine Gaston, the founder of our local coaching community, then called Minnesota Coaches’ Association (MCA).
Eighteen years ago, in 1997, MCA was formed as an organization to inspire, teach and develop the art and science of coaching. It took dedication, wisdom and courage to make this association successful and it is these qualities that the Gaston Award honors in a member of our chapter.
Gaston Award coaches are coaches that...
• Demonstrate servant leadership in the field of coaching
• Continue to take a stand for the profession of coaching
• Champion others selflessly
LCST Ignite Project Nears Completion
We're moving toward the finish line of the Ignite Project! We look forward to reporting completion results in the September and October Newsletters. New to the Ignite Project? For more information about this project and ICF Ignite, please review February’s Catalyst article or http://foundationoficf.org/home/ignite/
Christine Schwebel Chris@Tsoulnami.com, John Owens (remotely from India) and Joan Haan joan@joanhaan.com, Core Leadership Team
August Speaker Series
SPEAKER: Ann Betz
DATE: Tuesday, August 28th
TIME: 6:00 - 6:30 Networking
6:30 - 8:30 Program
LOCATION: Metropolitan Ballroom, Golden Valley
Register For This Event
CEU’s: 2
PROGRAM: Coaching the Executive Brain:
The Power of Neuroscience in Attracting, Retaining and Transforming Organizational Clients
Learn how to use neuroscience to easily convince your clients to engage in even the most "woo-woo" of coaching strategies. We will explore multiple scientifically proven strategies for connecting clients to their higher brains and more easily managing their reactive tendencies.
Understand both the positive and negative impacts of stress, and more......
Meet Ann Betz
Ann Betz, CPCC, PCC, CNTC, is the co-founder of BEabove Leadership and an international speaker and trainer on the intersection of neuroscience, coaching and human transformation. Ann served as the neuroscience consultant to The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) for many years, and provides neuroscience, leadership and coaching consulting to many other corporations and non-profits.
Ann is also the co-developer/leader of BEabove Leadership’s popular training program for advanced coaches: Neuroscience, Consciousness and Transformational Coaching, which has been offered in the U.S, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, China, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Blogs from the Board
A Happy Life or a Meaningful Life?
Ann Marie Forshay
These concepts may seem to be juxtaposed to one another--but truly, it all comes down to how we define the term “happiness.” Researchers in the field of positive psychology use differing definitions of this term as do non-scholar authors. These varying definitions sometimes obscure a coherent discussion of the topic, and since both concepts are so important to how we lead our lives, let me offer this short primer on how they are interconnected.
If happiness is only to mean the pursuit of pleasure that is self-focused, then certainly that pursuit would be limited to a selfish, trite and meaningless existence. Few would argue that a life-path guided only by selfish pleasure lacks purpose or meaning and lacks a noble goal.
I would argue that a life without happiness (defined as moments of joy, awareness, gratitude, humor, laughter, contentment, and even pleasure) may be so difficult that it might not feel like a life that anyone would want or should have to endure. Life is and always will be filled with adversity: from tragic circumstances such as loss and grief, to financial insecurity, to health crises, to family breakups, to victimization. The best life--the most meaningful life--is one in which we grow from adversity and one in which we find these amazing moments of humor, love, joy, contentment and even pleasure amidst the inevitable pain. This is what makes us resilient to the inevitable adversities.
Continue Reading
READ MORE about my personal journey at https://www.annmarieforshay.com/blog
FUN FACT
In case you missed it, the ICF was recently mentioned on the long-running TV game show Jeopardy! Check out this article that shows how ICF Global leveraged this coverage to create more awareness during International Coaching Week last month.
Chapter News
How to Become an ICF MN Board Member
Have you ever wanted to give back to the coaching profession?
Have you ever wanted to work with wonderful coaches in different fields?
Do you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and being part of a collaborative team?
GREAT…then we would love to have you join us!
ICF Minnesota is looking for coaches to share in this remarkable professional organization as a board member or committee member. We are looking for a range of creative skills; communications, sales, marketing, businesses development or web support. It is a chance to support coaching locally and throughout the state, plus a chance to learn, laugh and meet other coaching professionals.
Reach out to any of our current board members and learn more about how you can be a part of ICF Minnesota. Or email Communications@icfminnesota.org
Value Proposition – ICF Minnesota Chapter
The ICF Minnesota Chapter is an inspiring and innovative community of coaches committed to your professional excellence. Connect, engage, learn and grow with a coaching community that supports you at any level of your practice. You’ll benefit from:
• Monthly events that includes speakers, webinars or coaching connections
• Find a coach feature that allows the public to search for you as a coach in the ICF Minnesota Chapter
• CCEU’s for credential requirements
• Coaching awards and recognition for individuals, businesses and organizations
• Partnerships with accredited coaching schools and inspiration for aspiring coaches
• Opportunities for our certified coaches to work with non-profits in a pro-bono or reduced rate fee schedule to give back and create greater capability and community value
Regional News
Global News
Did you know?
ICF Global celebrated the inaugural Young Leaders and Circle of Distinction Honorees?
Young Leader Award honorees embody the core values of ICF and represent a diverse community of emerging thought leaders. Learn more about this year’s winners here.
Circle of Distinction inductees are experienced coaches who have made their mark on ICF and the coaching profession. Learn more about this year’s inductees here.
Did you know?
ICF Global Supports
• 32,000+ ICF Global Members
• 22,000+ ICF Credential-holders
• 130+ ICF Chapters located in 140+ countries around the world
• with 47 staff members in 10 departments
Did you know?
Why Every Coach Should have a Personal Board of Directors
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