From:                              ICF Michigan [kathyv@icfmichigan.ccsend.com] on behalf of ICF Michigan [support@icfmichigan.org]

Sent:                               Thursday, June 18, 2020 2:51 PM

To:                                   support@icfmichigan.org

Subject:                          June 2020 Newsletter

 

 

ICF Michigan Newsletter

June 2020 

 

Active Listening   

Cathy Mott,
ICF Michigan Board Secretary


In a world where so many are feeling unheard, Active Listening can be such a gift. This type of Listening involves so much, and coaches spend a lot of time learning how to be highly skilled in this space.  It involves quieting your mind, setting aside your thoughts, war stories, and judgment for the good of the coachee. This process includes opening your heart to hear what is being said but also listening for what is not being said.   
Active Listening also focuses on body language, which is 55% of human communication,  so when the client says something their body doesn't agree with, we notice that and explore the disconnect.  This kind of Listening is in service to others, yes...servant leadership.

I have spent many days this month, creating a space of safety for my clients to express themselves openly, to be validated, acknowledged, and to feel heard. Some clients have lost several members of their family to COVID-19, and some wanted to discuss their emotions regarding the injustice we see in the world today.  
To my surprise, I had a check-in call with a newfound friend who surprisingly created that space for me. During this call,  I was able to tap into some feelings and emotions that I wasn't aware of was lurking beneath the surface.

She was checking in on me as an African American woman to see how my family and I were doing with all of the racial injustice that has taken place.  Initially, I said, "I'm okay; I think we are okay," and she remained silent, not rushing to say "that's good."

In the silence of that quiet moment, I began to share a few things that I now experience differently due to the death of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.  I live in a neighborhood where I am the minority for sure. I have lived here for two years. During this time, I have frequently gone running through my neighborhood, but for the first time, I find myself asking the question, "Am I safe?"  That's kind of scary. When I see a pickup truck, I wave. When the driver does not respond, in my head, I think, "they don't want me here."  I have never had that internal dialogue before Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.

Because I run early in the morning while my husband is still asleep, I now leave a note on the refrigerator that says, "I have gone running in the neighborhood." Just in case I don't return home.   After this statement, I take a look at my active listener, and I notice her body language.   Her heart is wide open, her eyes are looking into my soul, and at this moment, I reach the core of my inner being to answer the question, "How are you truly?" My "aha moment" came when I heard myself say, "I have lost my sense of security in my own neighborhood."  Wow, so powerful. What a space of discovery she created for me just by actively listening.

Anne (my active listener) was the first person to listen to me on this subject without a need to share how she was feeling. I was able,  on a very deep level come to appreciate the profession of coaching and, in particular, the ICF Competency of Listening Actively. Thank you, ICF Global and ICF, Michigan, for setting the gold standard of coaching that creates the space for humankind to be heard, validated, acknowledged, and empowered.

I still run in my neighborhood, but now that I have heard myself confess my fear out loud, I can muster up the courage to move beyond my fear and still enjoy my morning neighborhood run.  Aahh...Active Listening...Priceless.  

Cathy Mott

2020 ICF Michigan Board Secretary

 

NEWS & RESOURCES FROM ICF MICHIGAN

REFER TO OUR EVENTS CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING WEBINARS AND OTHER EVENTS

Link is here 

 

SBAM (Small Business Association of Michigan) UPDATES AND RESOURCES  

COVID-19 is affecting all of our daily lives and our businesses. SBAM is dedicated to helping all of our members through these unprecedented times, weeding through the gossip and providing you the facts.


Please join us daily at 3:00pm on Facebook for a briefing from Rob Fowler and Brian Calley in regard to the most updated news. Please share the information in regard to the briefings in your e-newsletters so our members can join in as well. 

 

Check out The Civility Project on July 15th at 2 pm. This judgment-free workshop is a safe place to talk, express yourself, and be ok with the outcome. The goal is to build healthy disagreement and dialogue.  More information here.   

 

NEWS FROM ICF GLOBAL

ICF CREDENTIALS AND STANDARDS UPDATE

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact how we all live and work, the ICF Credentials and Standards Global Board has approved three temporary measures to support coaches on their professional development journeys while continuing to ensure the highest standards for the credentialing process. Learn more about these changes.

 

For general information about the credentialing process, various paths, and next steps, please watch this overview video.  Also note on this same page information and registration links for upcoming credentialing Q/A calls.  Next call will be July 28th with 2 choices (11 am and 9 pm EDT). 

 

 

UPDATE REGARDING 2020 RENEWAL TIMELINE

As we face an enormous global crisis, ICF coaches like you are working hard to make a difference every day for your families, your clients, your communities and the world.

We recognize the hardship that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on many ICF Members and your coaching businesses. To better meet your needs during these uncertain times, we are changing our timeline and renewal process

ICF Memberships will now expire on June 30, 2020.

If you are unable to renew your ICF Membership by June 30 you will have a two-month grace period. If you are unable to renew by August 31, 2020, you will lose access to your Member Benefits on that date.  For more information, go to https://coachfederation.org/renew-membership

 

 

2020 BOARD MEMBERS

Please don't hesitate to contact our dedicated Board members with questions, observations or suggestions. 


Cheron Freeman, President

 

Kaan Aksu, Member Relations

Venus Brown,Community Outreach Chair

Jackie Browning, Past-President

 

 Beth Buelow, President-Elect 2021, Education and Training Chair

Jodee Gibson, Director

Matthew McCarty, Marketing Chair

Cathy Mott, Secretary

Jennifer Wilson, Treasurer

Kathy Vlietstra, Administrator

MISSION STATEMENT

A dynamic, diverse community of coaches, which grows, develops, connects, and serves  

our members, supporting communities and individuals with the highest standards of professional coaching.

 

UPCOMING WEBINARS AND VIRTUAL EVENTS

 

CORE COMPETENCY WEBINAR 

Topic: "Direct Communication" 

July 14 at 2:30 pm 
Click here for more info

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR 

Topic: "Cultivating Coaching Presence Outside the Coaching Container"
June 25 at 1:00 pm 

Click here for more info

 

COACH CAFÉ in JULY
is VIRTUAL

July 10 at 9:00 am 

Click here  for more info 

 

 

TOP 10 REASONS TO
JOIN ICF MICHIGAN

There are lots of great reasons to join ICF Michigan, whether you are just starting out as a coach or have an established career...

Check them out here! 

 

MEMBER
COACH CELEBRATIONS

DO YOU HAVE A COACH CELEBRATION?

If you are an ICF Michigan member who would like to share your coaching celebration with our newsletter community, please send the (brief) info to our administrator, Kathy, at support@icfmichigan.org

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN ICF MICHIGAN?

 

Click here for information about our membership options and rates.

 

If you have questions, please contact support@icfmichigan.org 

 

  ADDITIONAL LINKS

 

SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN (SBAM)
 PARTNERSHIP

We have renewed our partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and have provided for each member the benefit of a premium level membership.

ICF Michigan supports our members with access to the benefits of an SBAM membership. You can 'buy up' for a VIP status or opt out should you choose not to participate.

SBAM has a wide range of benefits and services available and we hope you will take the time to explore how this partnership might benefit your coaching business. 

 

COACH CAFÉS

 Join us for Collaborative Coaching Conversations throughout Michigan!!  


Check out the Events section of our Facebook page for upcoming Coach Cafes,currently offered in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Royal Oak. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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