This is an exciting time to be a member of the Central Ohio Chapter of the International Coach Federation.  The Board of Directors has been incredibly active in taking our chapter to the next level.  Many times the recipients of change are not aware of how much effort goes into the process of change so I want to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on the progress we have made this year.

First, the Education Committee, focusing on building coaching capacity and led by Jessika Ferm, has expanded program offerings by soliciting speakers who have national reputations (including some of our own) and by offering tele-classes taught by international facilitators.  Dedicating numerous hours to a rigorous selection process, this group identified a new location for our chapter meetings which will allow for networking after meetings, something many chapter members found lacking with our former venue. 

Next, Molly Luffy, your President-Elect, took on the daunting task of coordinating the website redesign.  After guiding the board through a visioning process and vendors through an RFP process, the new look was launched at the end of August and reflects an enhanced professional image. This new look, along with the ease of access to coaching resources including our member profiles, is crucial to expanding our profession in the greater Central Ohio community.

The Public Relations Committee, led by Kassie Steegman, has also been engaged in creating awareness about coaching in the Columbus community.  Partnering with HRACO (Human Resource Association of Central Ohio), Kassie and Rita Gallagher were able to negotiate an opportunity to present on coaching at their August "Dining with the Experts" luncheon.  (See the Business Coaching article below)  Kassie and her team are now exploring possibilities for a three hour workshop on coaching.  Additionally, we also have to thank Kassie and John Herr for this first ever chapter newsletter, now available to anyone who visits our website.  Think of the possibilities!  It was their drive and inspiration that made it all happen.

Our Membership Committee, led by Kelly LeFevre, has also been active in designing strategies for re-engaging past members and recruiting new members.  We now have a guiding process for ensuring that both new and old members are kept up to date with the organizational events.

Stabilizing our Board of Directors and serving in advising capacities to the various projects and committees are Nancy Quinn, Jerry Browning, and John Herr.  Their tireless commitment and energy have helped to sustain our momentum through the summer.

We look different, we feel different, we are different.  Evolution does not come without a change of perspective.  Letting go of our worldview allows us to respond to all that we can become.  I want to personally thank all the teams and individuals who have made this an exciting year to be part of COC.  You have an incredible team leading this evolution and I am truly proud to have been part of the experience.