The week of May 18th through May 24th saw ICF coaches from around the world increasing the awareness of professional coaching and giving of their time and talents in numerous activities as part of International Coaching Week. The ICF-New Jersey chapter was no exception with its participation in three events, which helped to increase awareness of the chapter's and the coaching profession's presence here in our home state.

On May 14th at the Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, New Jersey, the ICF-New Jersey chapter sponsored the breakfast meeting of the Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources professionals. Chapter members Eileen Monesson and Erica Loren represented the chapter at the breakfast by making a brief presentation on the chapter and its offerings to the breakfast attendees, along with providing literature on the chapter and the International Coach Federation, Not many of the attendees were fully versed in the benefits of professional coaching, and several left with the desire to learn more and expressing an interest to learn more about ICF-NJ chapter events.

May 21st and May 22nd saw several entrepreneurial business owners learn of the benefits of coaching through laser coaching sessions offered at the C3 Workplace locations in Montclair and Sparta, New Jersey. C3 Workplace is an active sponsor of ICF-New Jersey offering office space, meeting facilities and educational opportunities on business development to its clients (ICF-NJ members are able to obtain certain select C3 Workplace offerings at discounted rates). Paula Tutein of ICF-NJ worked with Kelly Louro of C3 Workplace to schedule all clients desiring a coaching session and providing them some initial background on what coaching is and its benefits. ICF coaches Eileen Mansfield, Denise Fountain, and Shefali Salwan gave of their talents to provide 35-minute laser coaching sessions, predominantly on topic areas helping the clients move forward in their respective businesses.

On May 19th, several ICF-NJ coaches were participants in a truly special event at Dress for Success in Madison, NJ.  That evening the chapter was the feature presenter at the Dress for Success monthly Professional Women's Group dinner. Dress for Success is a non-profit that provides clothing and job support training services for women reentering the workforce, who for various reasons are returning to employment after having gone through a difficult period in their life. The Professional Women's Group dinner is both a networking and educational opportunity for the women who attend.

The May dinner saw the chapter present the topic "How to Stay Positive during Your Job Search." Chapter member Tony Calabrese facilitated a brief presentation and discussion introducing the topic and offering some suggestions. Tony then had the participants break up into small groups, where they were asked to speak on the topic for the evening and offer their own suggestions. Chapter coaches Denise Fountain, Eileen Mansfield, Ian Coburn, Renee Robertson, Sharon Stern, and Erica Loren facilitated the sessions. It was immediately apparent to the coaches the energy that was present in the room. The women instantly were offering their ideas, sharing with each other, and providing several outstanding suggestions. During the report out stage of the process, each group provided a passionate presentation of what their group had shared. The attendees expressed their appreciation for an evening where they were able to express their thoughts, as opposed to being just asked to listen to the ideas of others.

International Coaching Week is an annual opportunity provided by the ICF to its chapters around the world to give back. If you were unable to participate in the 2015 events, please consider participating in 2016 or suggesting an opportunity in which chapter coaches can participate during next year's activities.