Thank you all so very much for my year of learning and acceptance and joyfulness and absolute pride in having served you as 2006 President and having been a part of such a wonderful organization. The year has literally flown by and looking back, even though we have lots of archived newsletters and an equal number of past Chapter meetings with presentations-galore to prove that it is almost at an end, it is difficult to believe. As I’ve shared previously, it’s been an honor to have served your, our Chapter participants, especially with the Board members that chose to volunteer their time and professional brilliance alongside me, for the growth of our organization. It’s been an honor to have shared thoughts with each of you:

1. Elaine Arons, Immediate Past President, 2006
2. Glenn Stevenson, 2007 Treasurer
3. Sandy Scheppmann, 2007 Secretary
4. Anita Goldin, Logistics Director, 2006-2007
5. Diane Pearce, Membership Director, 2006-2007
6. Lydia Welton, Programs Director, 2006-2007
7. Beth Griffith, Publications Director, 2006-2007
8. Angee Robertson, Virtual Assistant Extraordinaire, 2005 and forever
9. Elaine Provencher, past Marketing/PR Director, 2006
10. Bradley Morgan & Stephan Marais, past co-Publications Directors, 2006
11. Jerry Beck, past Programs Director, 2004-2006
12. Rich Hessler, past Membership Director, 2005-2006

No, I haven’t forgotten anyone. Even though I am now moving into the office of Immediate Past President, the hands in which I am leaving you in belong to Nahid Casazza, our 2006 President Elect. To share a little bit about Nahid, she is a professional coach and a very bright businesswoman. From my perspective, we are extremely lucky to have her take the helm of the ICF-OC Chapter. Nahid has been present as my trusted confidante and your Chapter Vision collaborator. She has voraciously absorbed what she has seen to be important to you, our Chapter participants, and has translated that in 2006 in having spearheaded the Business Coaching and Excellence (BCE) Programs. She’s done a great job with them, hasn’t she? They in themselves give you an idea of the person that we have stepping into the role of 2007 President.

There is a saying by a recent ontological philosopher, Werner Erhard that goes something like this, “There is nothing wrong with building an edifice on top of the foundation that others have built.”

The 2006 Board of Directors and I have been able to build on what the last five Presidents and Boards have been able to create as the next level of foundation, and I know that Nahid is exactly who we need to build the next edifice from where the ICF-OC Chapter will be able to live into as possibility for the profession of coaching. Come jump onto a fabulous ride towards our ICF-OC Chapter Vision and join one of our forward moving 2007 ICF-OC Chapter Committees where we continue to grow into:

We are the organization where coaches improve their coaching skills.
We are a vibrant and welcoming culture.
We market coaching and create awareness of the benefits of coaching.

Thanks to all of you, one last time. It’s been a true honor to have served you, our ICF-OC Chapter participants. See you around!

With love and appreciation for whom each of you ‘choose to be’ in the world of coaching,

Patricia Hirsch, MBA, MCC, RN
Your 2006 President
International Coach Federation – Orange County Chapter