How To Set Up a New Chapter: June 2007 Archives

1. How could I know I am qualified to be a local Chapter host or not?

According to March issue of VOICE, IAC has stated that the purpose of establishing a local Chapter is for (1) to strengthen IAC membership on a local level, (2) to connect on an international level and (3) to support the IAC's mission to inspire the on-going evolution and application of universal coaching standards, we believe whoever are IAC members and have a passion and vision of the mentioned points are well beyond the qualification. However, before you commit to be a local Chapter host, there should be a clear understanding on how much time you could and willing to share with and what is your vision and goal. Well, we like IAC's practice by putting up powerful questionnaire for us to think deeper. Click here to see the HK Chapter's feedback on the questionnaire.

2. Will I have financial support in running a local Chapter?

The answer we got so far is "none" in an aspect of monetary support at this early stage of the exercise. However, we are still having a passion to run a local Chapter for building a supportive environment for coaches and potential coaches who are serious to become a masterful coach and about certification in assuring the benifit of their clients.

3. Can I run my local Chapter in my local language?

IAC is an international organization and they welcome us to run our local Chapter in our local language. Therefore, we plan to run HK Chapter in Chinese (Cantonese) first. When we are getting more structural, we may extend to bilingual according to the resourses and needs. We also let our Chapter Blog to naturally running in multi-language (Chinese, English and Japanese) . We feel its fun!

4. How to get people joining my first kick off meeting?

I believe "Nobody can fight alone." Therefore, no matter how many friends and coaching buddies I have and to whom I will send invitation for attending my first kick off Chapter meeting, I need to open up myself first in order to welcome new comers. Thus, I was bold enough to give a workshop at HKICC to sharing my certification journey and there I have made at least over 10 new friends who are interested in IAC Certification.

5. Am I still fit after running the Chapter for 6 months?

It's a good question? I found the purpose of the attendants coming to the Chapter have shifted a bit. At the beginning, they came to see what is IAC HK Chapter and how this Chapter could help them in their coaching learning and development. After 6 months, we have gathered a group of experienced and new coaches who are serious about the IAC Certification and learning of the 9 Masteries. About 9 people has joined the IAC membership from here. Isn't it something for celebration!? I, therefore would like to answer you that I am fit and progressing in hosting the IAC HK Chapter. And I foresee that, upon several coaches get certified, they may like to develop a buddy circle in their coaching business development. From there, we may advance to covering some topics on business development.

Commit to leadership – Starting a new chapter requires a significant investment of time and energy to properly market, recruit, organize and administer information rich meetings that support IAC member.

1. Acquire approval through IAC to start a new chapter.
2. Read policy information and guidelines and commit to adhere to them.
3. Clearly define your vision and goals for the chapter you wish to start.

Preparation – Before launching your first meeting, consider establishing these support tools:

• Another supportive member or coach to collaborate with and provide additional perspective.
• Determine meeting times and secure a meeting room location that you can expect to repeatedly reserve.
• Start a COG as a communication vehicle for launch information and follow-up with your members.
• Prepare an invitation message to send to potential participants.
• Prepare a questionnaire to send to potential participants.
• Design a plan for handling email, paperwork, and phone inquiries regarding chapter information.

Advertise – Work with the IAC to distribute your meeting information to IAC subscribers in your area.

• Submit invitation message to the IAC for distribution.
• Advertise locally via a press release, posting at local coaching schools, universities, and professional organizations.
• Follow up with meeting details prior to the first meeting.

Launch – To successfully launch your first meeting, complete these administrative and organizational tasks:

• Print a sign-in sheet to collect participant information.
• Print copies of policy information for participants to review and agree to.
• Create an agenda (see sample agenda).
• Foster introductions and a sense of acceptance (easy to do with a coaching organization!)
• Collaborate on the vision, mission, and culture of your chapter with the chapter members.
• Commit to action items in the first meeting to set the stage for forward momentum.
• Delegate responsibilities to foster teamwork and collaborative growth and development of the chapter

source: IAC - Chapter Committee

IAC Hong Kong Chapter

“Here is an open chapter that welcomes coaches and potential coaches who are serious about developing their coaching profession, get certified and continue to grow.”

Powerful Questions to interested parties:
1. How to distinguish a good coaching and masterful coaching?
2. Where do you see beyond your current coaching practices?

Our Culture and Mission:
1. We build our dream house on strong coaching foundation – 9 Masteries
2. We design supportive environment for our creative growth
3. We contribute as a way to reciprocal
4. We care the core of coaching and simplify the rest

Our Format:
1. We meet once a month on a fix venue for 1.5 hours
2. We take turn to host the gathering
3. We have a theme for each gathering
4. We are a circle of collective wisdom, no teaching but coaching and sharing
5. We ask permission
6. We respect every opinion
7. We donate to maintain the running of the Chapter

Our Notice Board:
1. We run a Blog to list events and capture the inspirations

Our Founding Members:
1. Bonnie Chan
2. You
3. You............

If you are interested to join with us to grow, please email me at bonnie@coachlite.com for details.

Dear Kerri,

I admire your endeavor and like the idea of IAC Chapter, in particular to create the presence of IAC worldwide and let more coaches and potential coaches to know about this profession and be attracted together for our/their personal and professional development.

My vision is to set up a HK Chapter this year, and then extend to have 2 more IAC Chapters in China, say Shenzhen and Shanghai in 1-2 years time. I would also like to liaise with any of our member(s) located in Japan (or even VOCIE subscriber) to give him/her support to create a Tokyo Chapter. Kerri, I agree with you that a guideline and a successful Model is a must to kick off. Let’s dream to double and triple our Chapter in the upcoming 2 years.

Cheers, bonnie