Happy New Year!
I can hardly believe 2024 is upon us. A new year with new opportunities and possibilities ahead. I always feel conflicted in January; part of me wants to hibernate, like much of the natural world here in the northern hemisphere, and another part is excited for new beginnings and a fresh start. I have to remind myself - as I do with my clients - we can hold two truths at the same time. So, you’ll find me trying to find harmony between rest, creating, and taking action in my various communities, including ICF Minnesota.
The end of one year and the beginning of another often includes reflection, and I’d like to take a moment to savor the work we did in 2023 which truly aligned with our core values of Service, Connection, Growth, and Inclusion. We hosted 15 events for members to come connect with each other, grow their coaching skills, and continue to learn, something us coaches love to do! Our membership numbers held steady and the number of credentialed coaches grew by 15%.
We partnered with the non-profit Giving WoMN to provide pro-bono coaching to grant recipient leaders who provide for underserved communities. Lastly, we continually had discussions and took action to be a more diverse, welcoming, and inclusive organization; something we will continue to strive for in 2024 because the work is never done. These are a few highlights from the year and not an exhaustive list of all the great things that happened.
Thank you to all the Board and Committee Members for your time, energy, creativity and effort into making 2023 a wonderful year. And thank you to all of our members who show up, engage, and help us improve. We appreciate you!
2024 is bound to have its ups and downs, celebrations and heartaches. Through it all, I believe coaching is needed more than ever to provide that sacred space for people to be heard, validated, and challenged to take care of themselves and show up brighter in the world. ICF Minnesota is committed to creating a welcoming and valuable environment for coaches to be in connection with each other and build their coaching skills so we can be even better partners to our clients and each other. I am excited to see what we can do and be together in 2024.
Thank you for your faith in me to serve as your President in the coming year, and I wish you the very best year available to you and your loved ones.
Cheers,
Holly O’Hanlon
ICF MN President
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