Interested in serving in a leadership role with the ICF? There are many positions where volunteers are needed, both on the local and global level. Volunteer leadership roles in the ICF provide members a change to develop both personally and professional while also giving back to their member association and the profession of coaching as well. Learn more by reading overviews of several opportunities below.

Global ICF Board of Directors
Information on the election process for open 2011 global ICF Board of Directors positions is available here. 

The governing body of the ICF is a 16-member Board of Directors. The responsibility for overseeing the management of the affairs, funds, and property of the ICF is vested in its Board. The Board has full power and authority to put into effect the resolutions and decisions of the ICF and determines its policies and interprets its bylaws. The Board supervises the direction and control of the ICF and its committees and publications, and may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as is deemed advisable. It may in the execution of its powers, delegate certain of its authority to the Executive Committee.

Directors at-large serve for a term of three years or until their successors have been elected and assume office. The immediate past president shall serve a term of one year or until his/her successors have been elected and assume office. One-third of the Directors at-Large are elected each year. Directors at-large are required to be a regular member of the ICF.

The officers of ICF are president, president-elect, three vice presidents, and secretary/treasurer. The president and president-elect are elected by the membership; the other officers are selected from the eligible Board of Directors members and serve until their successors have been duly elected and assume office. The president-elect automatically succeeds to the presidency.

Any credentialed member in good standing is eligible for nomination and election to any officer's position of ICF, provided the member has served at least one year as a member of the Board of Directors at any time prior to an elective term of office.

Global Committees/Taskforces
Each August, a global Committee interest form is made available on Coachfederation.org. ICF members will have until October 4, 2010 to apply to serve on one of several global ICF Committees for a one year term, starting January 1, 2011. The president, unless otherwise specified in the bylaws, is empowered to appoint the chairpersons of all Committees, and the chairpersons and members of all special Committees, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The president is an ex-officio member of all Committees. 

Information on current global Committees, the time commitment involved and the interest form for 2011 Committeess is available here.

Special Interest Groups
ICF Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide members with the opportunity to discuss specific aspects of coaching. More than 30 SIGs meet monthly through teleconferencing, and are open to ICF members at no additional cost.

Each SIG is hosted and/or co-hosted by ICF members. If you are interested in being involved in a current SIG, contact its current leader and ask how you can help. If there is a topic not already supported by a SIG that you are interested in providing to the membership, contact ICF Headquarters.

Chapter Regulatory Liaisons Network
Chapter representatives over over the globe volunteer to be a part of this network, which it tasked with monitoring and discussing regulation issues that could impact the coaching profession around the world. If you are interested in being a part of the liaisons network, please contact ICF Headquarters at icfheadquarters@coachfederation.org.

ICF Annual International Conference
Planning on attending the next conference? If you are and you're interested in volunteering while you are there, there are several roles where the ICF can use your help. Information on conference volunteer opportunities is posted on the conference Web site each year. Volunteer roles may include leading first-time attendee tours, room hosting and more. Look for additional information each year prior to conference at www.coachfederation.org/conference.

Local ICF Chapters
ICF Chapters are led by local ICF members. Volunteer opportunities vary between chapters but may include serving on the local chapter Board or Committee, assisting with local public relations/marketing efforts and much more. Please contact local ICF Chapters directly to see how you may be of service.

ICF Foundation
Founded in 2004, the ICF Foundation is a separate nonprofit entity from the International Coach Federation that exists exclusively for education, research and charitable purposes in professional coaching.

Current work of the Foundation includes drafting ideas for pro-bono coaching, creating plans for future sustainability of the Foundation, leadership development, and discussions of the possibility of scholarships for individuals unable to pay for coach specific training. For more information, including a list of the 2010 Board of Trustees, please visit the ICF Foundation microsite of Coachfederation.org here.