The ACO celebrates one year anniversary
by Glen Hogard, ACT
For every fire, there is first a spark. In the months leading up to the 2005 ADDA conference in Tucson, AZ, Tammy Cochran, a coach from Bellbrook, OH, prepared the spark that grew into the ADHD Coaches Organization. In a PowerPoint presentation to an ad hoc group of coaches who gathered in free time at the convention, Tammy fanned that glow. Her outline of the structure for a professional organization that would serve all practicing ADHD coaches grew in less than a year into the ACO.
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Attendees at the first gathering in Tucson, AZ, 2005. Pictured from left: 1, 2, Ken Zaretzky, Denny Bausch, Kerch McConlogue, Kay Axtell, Lou Brady, Tammy Cochrane, Diana Edwards, 10, Glen Hogard. Do you know whose names we can't remember? Email me at editor@adhdcoaches.org
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Following that first meeting, an online Yahoo!Group was formed which included everyone who attended that first meeting. Other ADHD coaches who heard about the group were quick to join; people who, like Tammy, saw the great need for a nonprofit organization run by members and who were committed to the value of training of ADHD coaches.
A steering committee, which initially included the whole group, met weekly. That group refined the initially sweeping ideas into a workable organization, an organization which was practical and not overreaching, covering the most important values and addressing critical ethical issues. Subcommittees were formed. The mission statement and bylaws were written.
Perhaps the first great public milestone was the publication of the definition of an ADHD coach:
First and foremost ADHD Coaches are coaches.
The ACO endorses and accepts the coaching paradigm of the International Coach Federation (ICF). In addition to meeting all requirements and qualifications of a coach as defined within that paradigm, ADHD Coaches have specific training and expertise in coaching people and/or groups affected by ADHD.
This milestone was followed quickly by two others. In December of 2005, the ACO was incorporated in the state of New Mexico. In January of 2006, the first dues paying members joined. As of the publication of this newsletter, the ACO is almost 60 coaches strong.
During the first year, the ACO built a solid base for a responsive and supportive community of professional ADHD Coaches. But now the time has come to expand the community based on the opinions and ideas of the larger community of members.
The ACO values the experience and expertise of each new coach. The organization needs the members to help build a lasting organization with the greatest value for today and for the future.
If you are an ADHD coach, you need to belong to the ACO.
If you do belong, you need to participate in the growth of the ACO.
If you haven't joined yet, do it now.
About the author:
Glen Hogard, A.C.T., the founder of Synapse Coaching, specializes in coaching students from age 14 through college age, but also has successfully coached adults up to age 72. Contact him by email at addcoach@cox.net