Starting a new chapter within the International Coach Federation (ICF) is a lot like starting a new company. It takes dedicated leadership and a real group effort to make sure the Chapter succeeds. If you have a passion for growing the professional coaching community, creating a new ICF Chapter gives you the chance to make your mark.

This document details the process for starting an ICF Chapter, the resources available and the expectations of the organization. ICF Chapters around the globe are structured like franchises—independent in many ways, but also bound by certain guidelines to ensure a similar experience for every member.

Introduction to launching an ICF Chapter

Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step

1) UnderstandmoreaboutICFandwhatwehavetooffer.Please review Coachfederation.org andthe ICF Member Toolkit to expand your knowledge base. If you have any questions, reach out to your localRegional Development Advocate (see “the next step”).

2) ExperienceICFfirsthand.Attend an event hosted by a neighboring Chapter, a regional conference orevent, and an ICF Global conference or event.

3) Organizeyourlocalcommunity. Develop connections with local professional coaches. Start theconversation around how you can collaborate and create a new ICF Chapter together. Your RegionalDevelopment Advocate can offer connections to local ICF Members. In addition, research local laws regarding nonprofit organizations.

4) Review the New Chapter GuidetoidentifyrequirementstocreateanewICFChapter.Submit allnecessary documentation to your Regional Development Advocate. Upon approval, the Chapter Presidentwill receive an official Chapter/Charter Chapter Agreement from ICF Headquarters, signed by the ICFExecutive Director/CEO.

5) Establishyourpresenceinthecommunity. Build a website, develop your social media presence, begincommunity outreach and develop partnerships and alliances.

Getting started

Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step

Potential timeline12 months out

Receive and review Chapter startup materials. Connect with your Regional Development Advocate to ask any questions and determine your specific Chapter launch timeline.

Organize your community and identify a strong group of potential members to build your membership distribution list.

Build your communication strategy. Create a list of potential local sponsors and community engagement opportunities.

9 months out

Work with your Regional Development Advocate to make connections with other Chapters in order to learn from their experiences.

Develop a programming strategy and preliminary meeting schedule as an opportunity to engage your potential members.

Develop role descriptions for your leadership team. Establish your founding leadership team. Create your Chapter’s onboarding process for future leadership and draft your Chapter’s bylaws.

6 months out

Establish your financial systems (bank account, local fee structure, accounting structure, budget).

Finalize learning and event calendar. Hold a retreat for your leadership team. Develop your Chapter’s website and social media platforms.

Develop a new member engagement program.

Chapter Launch and beyond

Submit completed Chapter startup materials. Continuously reach out to new members. Create a Board succession plan. Encourage members to attend ICF events and conferences.

Develop relationships with local media. Host at least six professional development events offering CCE units.

Participate in ICF Global Leadership Forum. Participate in and support regional conversations. Complete Chapter reporting (Financial Report and Chapter Activity Report) when requested.

Explore and utilize the resources available in the Chapter Leader Resource Library. If you create items that other Chapters would find valuable, share them with ICF so they can be included in the library.

Identify ways for your Chapter to participate in International Coaching Week.

Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step

ICF is a support network for professionally trained coaches. ICF Chapters are local communities of ICF Members. When members choose to join a local Chapter, they take their membership to the next level by accessing even more opportunities for connection and education. Each Chapter provides ICF Members regular occasions to build relationships, develop professionally and get more involved in the coaching profession.

For coaches in a local area, there are many benefits to launching—and maintaining—an ICF Chapter. They include:

• Financial support from ICF Global. This includes Chapter rebates for Charter Chapters, the Chapter Development Funding Initiative for non-chartered Chapters and financial support for marketing, tradeshows and other initiatives.

• Free CCE units for Chapter events. Groups and organizations without ICF Chapter status must pay a fee for CCE approval.

• Geographicexclusivity. Coaches may not form a new ICF Chapter in an area where an existing Chapter stands. However, coaches may form a new Chapter in an area where an ICF Chapter’s status has lapsed.

• GlobalAccess. An ICF Chapter is your access point to represent your local community within ICF’s larger global network.

Value overview

Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step

Professional Coach Thomas Leonard started ICF in 1995 as a nonprofit organization for fellow coaches to support each other and grow the profession. The following year, a president was appointed and a board of directors established. The first ICF Chapter was established, and by May 1996, there were more than 60 ICF Chapters worldwide.

Other milestones for ICF have included:

1998ICF merges with the Professional and Personal Coaches Association (PPCA), founded by Laura Whitworth, to strengthen the voice and credibility of professional coaching. The first ICF Credentials are awarded at ICF’s conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, and membership dues are approved.

1999ICF begins to accredit coach-training programs. The Association hires an executive director and selects a management company to run daily operations.

2002ICF coaches host conferences in Australasia and Europe. The ICF Regulatory Committee is appointed to protect and preserve the integrity of the coaching profession.

2005ICF revises membership levels and credential categories to raise professional standards. The Association presents the first International Prism Award, recognizing businesses and organizations with impactful coaching programs. ICF transitions to its present management company with staff offices headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

2007ICF and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP release results from the inaugural Global Coaching Study.

2008Regional Service Centres open for Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

2010ICF celebrates its 15th anniversary with more than 17,000 members and 6,900 ICF Credential-holders.

2011A Regional Service Centre opens for Latin America and the Caribbean. ICF publishes its first-ever Brand Identity Manual to support the creation of a unified global voice for ICF and professional coaching.

2012A Regional Service Centre opens for North America. ICF and PwC release results from the 2012 ICF Global Coaching Study. More than 900 coaching professionals convene in London, United Kingdom, for a sold-out ICF Global Conference—the first to be held outside North America.

2013ICF exceeds 10,000 Credential-holders. The inaugural ICF Advance event is held in Washington, D.C., USA, delivering high-level, cutting-edge education around cultural competence to an in-person and virtual audience.

2014Regional Service Centres open in Kuala Lumpur and Russia. ICF exceeds 15,000 Credential-holders and 25,000 Members. The Association adds a full-time staff position (Director of Chapter Development) to support the growth of ICF Chapters worldwide. Coaches gather in Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Malmӧ, Sweden; and Rio de Janeiro for networking and education at three regionally hosted ICF Global Conferences.

2015ICF celebrates 20 years of advancing professional coaching. The Association launches an enhanced Research Portal and a new online resource for prospective coaches. ICF Chapter Leaders from every Chapter worldwide gather for the first time ever for the 2015 ICF Global Leaders Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

2016Twelve ICF Chapters are recognized as high-performing organizations during GLF 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. ICF launches new regional support structure to better serve and remain connected to a growing global coaching community. ICF exceeds 20,000 Credential-holders.

History of ICF

5Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step

Frequently Asked Questions

What positions are required for a Chapter’s Board of Directors? ICF requires that all Chapter Boards have these roles: President, President-Elect or Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer positions can be combined.

What are the recommended levels of insurance for Chapters?In accordance with local laws and regulations, we recommend securing insurance for your Chapter (i.e. general liability insurance). The level of insurance will vary depending on your local laws. We encourage you to explore the options and expectations for your local area. If you have any questions about how to do this, or want to be connected with other Chapters for feedback on their insurance, contact your Regional Development Advocate.

If all members of the Chapter are required to be ICF Members, can we still welcome people who do not have ICF Membership into our events? Under the Chapter Membership Eligibility Requirements (CMER) policy, all members of the Chapter should also be members of ICF. Chapters can certainly welcome non-members: Most Chapters have an Affiliate category that encompasses individuals who may not be eligible for ICF Membership, may choose not to belong to ICF, etc. They are not members of the Chapter, but they can participate to an extent.

IaminterestedinstartingaChapterinanareawherepeoplebelongtootherChapters.IftheyareinterestedinbeingapartofthisnewChapter,butareaffiliatedwithotherChapters,whatdoIneedtodotogetthemaffiliatedwiththenewChapter?Once a Chapter is established, Members can easily change their Chapter affiliation in their membership profile at Coachfederation.org.

Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step

The next step toward establishing a new ICF Chapter is to contact the Regional Development Advocate for your region. Find yours at Coachfederation.org/support.

The next step

Getting started | Potential timeline | Value overview | History of ICF | FAQs | The next step