Making the most of the (new) Provisional Member category

Beginning April 1, 2013, all ICF members will be required to have completed at least 60 hours of coach specific training* to be a member (or maintain membership) with the ICF. Unless you hold an ICF Credential or have already completed the obligatory 60 hours of coach specific training*, you should now consider how to fulfill your training hours.

This is a great opportunity for you! ICF has developed a Provisional Member category that will allow current members one year (beginning April 1, 2012) to obtain the 60 hours of coach specific training prior to the policy taking full effect on April 1, 2013.

So now for the tough question, how will you fulfill your hours? If you aren’t already enrolled in a program, now is the time to find the program that best suits your needs. If you are starting at the very beginning, this may seem like a daunting task. For tips on how to choose a coach training program, check out this August 25 post.

You are by no means required to use an ICF approved coach training program, but if that is the route you choose to take, you can search all ICF approved programs by various criteria at Coachfederation.org in the Training Program Search Service. 

Still trying to wrap your mind around the new membership eligibility requirement (MER)? Download the frequently asked questions document and bookmark the MER page at Coachfederation.org for the most up-to-date information. 

*Definition of Training that is accepted as coach specific training:
(These are aligned with the requirements for the ACC Portfolio Application credential path.)  

• Training from an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) or a program that has received the ICF Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) designation.
• Training from a Continuing Coach Education (CCE) Provider, subject to these limitations:
       - All hours approved in Core Competencies will be accepted.
       - A maximum of 12 hours outside of the Core Competencies will be accepted.
• Training that is specifically marketed as teaching coaching skills, that teaches coaching skills or teaches how to apply technical skills in a coach-like manner and teaches coaching skills in accordance with the ICF Core Competencies.

Requirement for 60 hours:
At least 48 of the hours must be:

• Direct interaction with a trainer (voice-to-voice or in-person training; not cyber courses, mail-in courses, or self-study).
• From a program other than ICF conference, SIG, Virtual Education, or chapter events.
• Teaching the ICF Core Competencies (all Core Competencies must be covered).

The remaining hours may be self-study, from an ICF event, teaching coaching-related topics, or a combination. However, all hours must be part of a program with the purpose of training coaches.

Three easy things ICF members can do this week

So you belong to the ICF…but are you really maximizing your membership? This occasional topic series will highlight those things you can do to ensure you are making the most of your connection to the ICF.

1) Are you aware of the ICF Resource Partners? ICF Resource Partners offer discounts or special pricing to ICF members on their various goods and services. Currently, there are 15 partners offering such resources as audio services, insurance, and everything in-between. Learn more about each and how they can help grow your business.

2) Do you know about the member-only tools and resources at Coachfederation.org? Various marketing materials exist at Coachfederation.org that can assist in growing your business. Examples include: Top ten indicators to refer a client to a mental health professional, How to write an effective press release, and Tips for an online media room. These items are saved on a page called Assets and Tools. Take a look at available Assets and Tools.

3) Are you using the ICF logo in your marketing initiatives? If you aren’t, you should! The logo is downloadable at Coachfederation.org and is a great way to show the world your affiliation with the ICF through your website, business cards, e-mail signature, etc. The logo is available in different file formats and in color or black and white. Download the ICF logo.

How are you maximizing your membership?

We are ICF

For each member of the International Coach Federation, there is a reason for choosing to be a part of the world’s largest professional coaching association. To illustrate this, nine individual members have been highlighted since the start of the 2011-2012 membership renewal season. 

Sackeena is an executive coach in the United States.

Sackeena Gordon-Jones, PCC, has been a member of the ICF since 2005. Why does she choose to belong to the ICF?

“ICF provides overarching support, structure, nurturing, networking and guidance to the Practice of Coaching. Because of the ICF, Coaching has become a credible and dignified specialty. It is innovative and has embraced a global world-view, which allows Coaching to impact the world, helping people be their best.”

A member of ICF-RAC (Raleigh Area Chapter), Sackeena finds connection with other members to be her most value-added member benefit.

Since the end of February, we have shared the many reasons professional coaches choose to belong to the ICF. To read about these other reasons, be sure to click on the label ICF Members (on the right side of the blog) to be taken to each of these posts.

If you are a coach and you aren’t yet a member of the ICF, what are you waiting for? Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

Since the end of February, we have been sharing the multiple reasons coaching professionals choose to be a part of the International Coach Federation. These reasons have spanned educational and networking opportunities, as well as ethics, standards and credibility. 

Pedro has been an ICF member since 2008.

Pedro Amador, ACC, of Spain, belongs to the ICF “because it’s a professional way to grow the coaching business and it helps me keep in contact with other professionals.”

Likewise, he finds his shared experiences with other ICF members a value-added member benefit.



Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

Over the last several weeks, we have been sharing the various reasons coaches choose the ICF as their premiere coaching organization. This week, we will take a look at Isabel Jaramillo, ACC, of Colombia. She has been an ICF member since 2008.

Isabel is a member of ICF Colombia.

“I like to be a part of a community that is global, sets the standards (quality is important), and is recognized,” she said.

Isabel, whose niche focuses on organizational and life coaching, finds three aspects of her ICF membership equally important: continuing coaching (CCEUs), virtual education and networking. As an ICF member, she is able to invest in all three components through ICF Virtual Education offerings and ICF branded events.

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.



We are ICF

In addition to educational opportunities, ICF members often cite community as a primary reason for being a part of the International Coach Federation.


Suzan belongs to ICF Turkey.

 Suzan Tana Alalu, ACC is one of these members. “I wanted to see how other coaches work and I also wanted to belong. Coming to the [2010 ICF Annual International] conference and seeing so many coaches together made a big impact on me. It made me a stronger believer for the coaching profession,” Suzan said. Suzan focuses on ADD/ADHD; organizational relationship systems; and team coaching in Turkey. She has been a part of the ICF since 2006.

Finding the conference as a value-added benefit of membership, Suzan said (of the 2010 event in Fort Worth), “I can talk with other coaches, and I can find out about coaching and how coaching is in the world [as well as] the work and experience of other coaches.” ICF members receive a significant discount when registering for the annual conference. Learn more about the 2011 ICF Annual International Conference, to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA this September, here.

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

As outlined over the last several weeks, we have found that ICF members seem to be specifically drawn to the educational and networking opportunities that the ICF provides.

This was no different for Kathleen Bathory, PCC, of Canada. She cites “education opportunities, accreditation and networking” as her top reasons for maintaining membership with the ICF. Kathleen is a part of the Calgary Association of Professional Coaches and has been a member of ICF International since 2004.

Kathleen finds “resources and the conference” to be her most value-added benefits through the ICF. Learn more about resources and ICF events at Coachfederation.org.

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

Thomas has been a part of the ICF since 2004.

Over the last several weeks, we have been sharing why coaching professionals from all over the globe choose to be a part of the International Coach Federation.

For many, it boils down to community, ethics and standards. Thomas Freitag (who coaches unfocused executives in Switzerland), agrees, citing his reason for maintaining membership within the ICF to “belonging to an international community of professional coaches.”

When asked which member benefit provides him the most value, Thomas responded: “Credibility through a solid set of Core Competencies for professional coaching.”

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

Like other professional organizations, members of the International Coach Federation choose to be a part of its ranks for numerous reasons. For Gürkan Sarioglu (an executive and leadership coach in Turkey), it came down to the Code of Ethics; Code of Conduct; globally recognized accreditation and credentialing process; and the experience sharing through regional and global conferences.

Gürkan joined the ICF global community in 2007.

When asked what member benefit provides him the most value, Gürkan responded “All the information I could reach through the ‘members only’ section of the website is the most valuable benefit for me, as I could come across at least one or two articles, surveys, or papers on almost every subject I am looking for, which would enlighten me, inspire me or make me knowledgeable.” 

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

Some coaches choose to be a part of the International Coach Federation for its global reach…others for the ethics and standards it provides…and still others for the educational and growth opportunities. Whatever the reason, coaching professionals across the globe continue to partner with the ICF.

Here’s what one member said recently:


Nancy is an executive coach in the US



“I choose to be part of the ICF organization as we govern ourselves. I am proud to be a PCC working on becoming an MCC as I continue to grow as a coach. The ICF makes sure that I continue to grow with our high level continued education programs online and at the conferences each year. This keeps me at the top of my game as I am challenged to grow my leadership skills, which in turn grows my business and my clients' businesses. Every year, conference brings us a smorgasbord of speakers and training from all parts of the world--which exposes all of us to see from new eyes. This gives me a chance to connect with old friends from around and world and to make new ones. Without the ICF, I would not be connected on such a deep level to the world and what others are thinking and feeling.” –Nancy James, PCC, an ICF member since 2007.

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Learn how you can become a member of the ICF here.

We are ICF

To date, more than 18,000 coaching professionals from 100+ countries have chosen to be a part of the global community of the International Coach Federation.
 
Why? There are a possible 18,000 responses to that single question. Here’s one:

"Honesty and integrity are important to me. I can't imagine why I would want to be part of a profession and NOT be affiliated with the peer-review association for that profession. To me, it speaks to the value I put on coaching, the profession and holding myself to a higher standard. I also feel the community aspect is important, too. I really want to be engaged in my profession." —Tom Maher, ACC (United States)

A member of the ICF since 2010, Tom coaches musicians and performing artists and is a member of the Minnesota Coaches Association.

Other reasons people choose to be a part of the ICF will be shared in future blog posts.

Want to learn more about becoming a member of the ICF? Click here.