When was the last time that you set time aside to really reflect on life and focus on transformation and positive change?  If you're reading this and you're a coach, then you're probably going, "umm, hello, I'm a coach, I do this all the time and help others do it, too!" 
And I love this. I love that coaches have this drive for digging deeper into true heart and soul, care of removing obstacles, and time for reflection.

Sometimes I can be too practical for my own good. I'm the one that doesn't get offended if I get a vacuum cleaner for Christmas, because if the household needs it, then I may as well get it for a gift, right?!  And if you got that vacuum on sale?  Well, whoa Nelly, now you really made my day!  See? Waaay too practical and sensible. I tend to not take much time for self-care, reflection, thinking of what is most meaningful in life and so forth. So it has been a gift to learn the importance of these things through my years in working with coaches.  I am thankful for this learning opportunity.

I also love working with a diversity of coaches and their various working styles. It is hard to believe that this is my 7th (!!) year as administrator of ICF Michigan, and I've had the pleasure of working with so many coaches and other folks through these years, helping out in various capacities. We have a rotating Board of Directors with a new president each year, and every cycle brings different talents, ideas, and value to our organization.  I love the variety of duties I'm involved in with various teams and individuals...everything from managing  and providing service to our members, doing our e-newsletters and other correspondence, answering various inquiries we get, web updates, webinar management, social media, conferences and other events and so much more.  I frequently hear such lovely feedback from those I work with, and it touches me when I am appreciated.  

Our chapter continues to be stellar within the ICF community. Throughout the years, I've watched our membership grow with folks from other places beyond Michigan.  We now have many members from Canada and other countries as well as eight states besides Michigan.   I'm proud to be part of a chapter where people want to belong!

Recently, someone said that I am the "institutional memory" of ICF Michigan, and I suppose that's true, at least for now.  As I reflect on these years and all that I've learned, I take the time to think about how you coaches, and especially our members, have come to mean so much to me, and I am grateful.

Wishing you the very best.

Kathy Vlietstra
Administrator, ICF Michigan

P.S.  By the way, our 2018 conference is coming up in Lansing on Thursday, September 27th. I can't wait to meet many of you in person. It's fun to have email and phone correspondence through the years, and then finally meet that person "live."  Did you know that we haven't had a conference since 2015?  Well this year's  is going to be great. I'm very excited about our incredible keynote speaker Kay Peterson as well as our roster of breakout speakers.  We're also getting a great variety of exhibitors so there will be no shortage whatsoever of relationships to be made, learning to do, and enjoyment to be had.  I hope to see you there! If you haven't registered yet, you can do so by going to our conference web page.  I hope to see you there!