As the ICF continues to grow and accomplish its strategic goals, one of the most important decisions made each year is the selection of volunteer leaders to serve on the global ICF Board of Directors. Each year, ICF members are asked to step forward and volunteer to serve in the role of the president-elect or in one of five at-large global Board of Directors openings.

Listen to Diane Brennan, MBA, MCC, for information on the ICF Election Process.

ICF Election Information
Please note that elections for the 2010 ICF Board of Directors has concluded. ICF Bylaws call for the existence of a Nominating Committee to be responsible for the review of all volunteer applicants and the selection of a slate of candidates for vacant positions. ICF Credentialed members vote on the final ballot presented by the Nominating Committee. Terms of office begin January 1 each year. Directors at large serve for three years.

Election Process Overview:

• Call for Nominations-official request for applicants for open Board of Director seats and president-elect position.
• Nominating Committee interviews, research and deliberations.
• Slate of Candidates announced.
• Call for Petitions (Any qualified credentialed member not on the slate may place his or her name in nomination by going through the petition process.).
• ICF Ballot announced.
• Voting (online voting utilizing an independent firm).
• Tabulating and reporting of election results to ICF by independent service.
• Notification of candidates as to the status of their results.
• Public announcement of the new Board members and president-elect
• Announcement of the new Board members and president-elect at the ICF Annual Business Meeting during the ICF Annual International Conference

How ICF Members Can Participate:
Step one: Familiarize yourself with the below requirements and commitments of the open positions. Nominations are open for five at-large Board of Director seats and President-Elect. Directors serve for three years. If any of the current Board members with time left on their terms vacate their seat for the next year, additional at-large director seats will open up for the election. More specific duties and responsibilities for directors are outlined in the ICF Bylaws.Requirements for Candidacy/Commitments of ICF Board Leadership

Potential Nominees are required to:

• Have been a member of the ICF for a minimum of two years.
• Have an ICF Credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC).
• Have served on an ICF Committee at the International level and/or demonstrated leadership at the local level (officer, Board, or chairmanship).
• Be familiar and up to date on the present ICF strategic plan and global initiatives.
• Document a sustained, successful coaching practice of which less than 25 percent of clients are coaches.
• Be the consummate coach: reflecting the spirit, training, credentials and integrity of the coaching profession.

Potential Nominees are expected to commit to:

• Model a top-notch professional coach image by being a high-integrity, positive supportive ICF member.
• Attend three in-person ICF Board of Directors meetings (January, June and November).
• Attend regular bi-monthly Board tele-meetings (2 hours, pre-scheduled).
• Be flexible and willing to attend urgent or impromptu Board conference calls.
• Be prepared to attend a part or the whole Annual International Conference.
• Be a part of a Committee as a Board liaison.

In addition, the Nominating Committee will be looking for the following qualities when choosing the slate of candidates:

General:

• Visionary
• Strategic
• Passion for the profession
• Strong personal and professional foundation
• Desire to be collaborative, creative and innovative
• Open to different perspectives
• Represent the diversity of our field across geography, culture and training
• Have leadership experience within ICF
• Understanding of and support for the ICF Strategic Plan

In addition, the following qualities are being sought for:

The ICF President-Elect:

• Strong, Articulate
• Business acumen
• Networked in the community including internationally
• Professional representative of coaching community
• Decisiveness
• Tolerance for ambiguity
• Facilitation skills (as chairman of the Board)
• Ability to work well/hand-in-hand with the Executive Director
• Served for at least one year on the ICF Board of Directors at any time prior to an elective term of office

For the Directors-at-Large:

• Minimum of one year of Committee, volunteer or local level work
• Diversity in field work
• Ability to review and understand financial statements and budgets
• Ability to commit time to work with staff and officers

Step two: Nominate yourself or someone else. If you are nominating someone else, be sure to contact your nominee first to make sure they are interested, have the time to serve, and meet the requirements. Nomination forms need to be completed by the actual candidate.

Step three: Submit a Nomination Application.

Step four: The Nominating Committee will carefully review the nominations received and recommend one candidate for each open seat.

Step five: There will be a period of at least 30 days to allow additional nominations from the membership. A qualified member wishing to be added to the slate must submit their petition (declaration of support of the candidate).

Step six: If no nominations by petition are received for open seats, the current Secretary/Treasurer of the global Board of Directors casts a unanimous vote for the slate put forth by the Nominating Committee.

Step seven: Vote commences.

Step eight: Results will be announced via e-mail and then at the Annual Business Meeting at the ICF Annual International Conference.