Unanimous Vote for 2012 Board Candidates

What incredible talent and depth we have in our chapter. As chair of this year's Nominating Committee for the 2012 board, I can say that the committee is thrilled that the chapter has unanimously approved five new board members whom we believe will serve the chapter and our coaching community well: Craig Culp, Carolyn Thompson, Johnny Tatum, Marisol Rodriguez and Freddi Donner.

Thank you to our terrific Nominating Committee members, Shelly Watson, Cameron Hutchings and Kristi Dooley, for their hard work and dedication to this process.

Here's how the new board members hope to contribute their skills and enthusaism to the chapter in 2012:

Craig Culp

I am very interested in using my experience and skills to support fellow coaches and the coaching practice as best I can. Being the communications chair on the board would allow me the best opportunity to achieve that goal. There is clearly a need within the chapter to increase the scope and effectiveness of internal and external communications, in all its various forms. I believe I could be instrumental in helping to develop and guide the public outreach/awareness and marketing campaigns for the chapter, as well as the member attraction and retention efforts.

I will bring to the board energy and enthusiasm for raising the tide of positive awareness of coaching and for lifting the boats of member coaches. I also will bring more than 20 years of experience working collaboratively within teams and coalitions, crafting and implementing strategic communications plans, developing brand strategies and key messages and using all available media for effective marketing/awareness campaigns.

Carolyn Thompson

I am interested in taking a more active role this year in our organization to bolster my personal and professional growth as well as to become a more highly contributing member of our organization on a local and national level.

I feel uniquely positioned as a certified coach with an emphasis in HR consulting and recruiting, where coaching is an integral part of our offerings. I work with hundreds of local companies and can increase our group's exposure with my trusted contacts. I am very strong in marketing, communications and program development and would be happy to take on any of those roles you see fit. I am also an active member of the National Speakers Association and have worked on several boards in the past, so I understand the commitment and am willing to set aside the necessary time.

Johnny Tatum

The world of coaching appeared in my life about two years ago like a refreshing summer rain.

After 27 years of an extremely successful and fulfilling career, a new work situation filled me with doubts and self-limiting beliefs ... coaching was introduced to me as a way forward. Through coaching, I gained great perspective and self-awareness in regard to my personality, skills, experience and potential through coaching. The coaching benefit was so powerful I wanted to gain skill as a coach to be able pass it forward. I pursued training and now stand on the threshold of the first ICF credential.

The coaching relationships have proven to be most rewarding. I find myself touting the benefits of coaching in business and professional organizations, non-profits and with individuals. As a member of the board, encouraging discovery on how to get the knowledge of the benefit of coaching spreading in a viral way. I would encourage forums for free exchanges of ideas, learning and tools and studies on the benefits of coaching. I would love to help new coaches understand the history and current landscape of coaching techniques and expertise. I look forward to seeing the credentialing process become increasingly beneficial to all concerned.

Marisol Rodriguez

Working in the planning of the 8th Annual Capital Coaches conference gave me the opportunity to contribute my expertise and time and the opportunity to meet terrific coaches. During the planning phase, I was the chair for the PR and marketing committee. After this wonderful experience, I wanted to stayed engaged and be part of the chapter’s ongoing work.

After the conference’s debriefing, I offered my professional development expertise and time to support the chapter’s mission. In the past few months, I have stayed engaged with the chapter. I was invited to participate in a strategic planning call to discuss and identify methods to develop and incorporate social media in the chapter’s communication plan. Also, recently, I was invited to participate in a couple of strategic planning phone calls with Barbara Smith, who is the co-chair for the 9th Annual Capital Coaches Conference. I provided recommendations based on my experience as the chair for PR and marketing on what worked and what needs to be reassessed for next’s year conference.

Professionally, I would bring over 20 years of experience in the field of professional development at the national and international level, and expertise in designing and implementing professional development programs based on identified organizational and employee development needs. I would also bring passion about coaching, and social media/technology expertise along with enthusiasm about the global context for the coaching field.

Freddi Donner

As I have advanced in my coaching profession, I am getting more interested and passionate about the advancement of the coaching profession. As a board member I can offer several things:

• Contribute to the programs, legislation, and communication about our profession.
• Influence the direction of the profession and the programs
• Mentor other incoming coaches
• Experience from three other non-profit board positions
• See the industry from a broader perspective (not possible as a single practitioner)

As my practice is growing, I can now give back, and I would like to contribute to the industry I am in.

My background in marketing, business development and fundraising (the latter being all volunteer work) is what most board members appreciate the most. I am not a passive participant when I commit to being a part of a board, and will jump in to help where my talents can be best utilized (which, by the way, is not financial). I am fearless when it comes to “getting the word out” and I am highly creative. My experiences on several other boards can contribute to the development of ICF. I am also a graduate of DC Cares Non-Profit Board Training Program.