Guidelines and submission form for ICF Speakers - ICF Sacramento Charter Chapter

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Speaking Opportunities

Share your expertise with ICF Sacramento! Here’s how to bring your topic to our coaching community.

What We’re Looking For

We host monthly meetings on professional and personal development topics. Each runs 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the meeting type, and includes Q&A. We love dynamic speakers who hold an audience’s attention and share useful, thought-provoking ideas. Because we’re coaches, we prefer participatory, interactive sessions over formal lectures.

Presentations must be relevant to professional coaches, coaches in training, people exploring (or curious about) coaching, or those considering hiring a coach.

We give priority during our selection process to programs that meet ICF guidelines for Coach Continuing Education Units (CCEUs). (See “ICF Sacramento CCEU Guidelines for Speakers” below.)

When We Meet

Meetings are virtual and held monthly, February through November:

Coach Business Builder: First Wednesday, 12:00–1:00pm PT (1 hour)

The goal of this series is to share useful tips and techniques to support our members in building a successful coaching business. Topics can include business tools (such as education platforms, scheduling applications, accounting programs), business methods or best practices, branding and marketing, or exercises to consider using with clients.

Chapter Meeting: Second Tuesday, 6:30–8:00pm PT (1.5 hours)

These meetings are where members hear directly from chapter leaders about what’s happening within ICF Sacramento. The meetings are also a forum for expanding attendees’ knowledge in various areas including business development, coaching skills, self-care for coaches, and credentialing.

Lunch & Learn: Third Wednesday, 12:00–1:00pm PT (1 hour)

Lunch & Learn meetings provide an opportunity for the speaker to share key knowledge, tools, and insights through the lens of their own coaching practice and experience.

In addition, at times we host in-person meetings and events in Sacramento and surrounding counties. If you’d like to present at an in-person event, you’re welcome to apply and note this on your application.

Speaker Policies

Speakers must comply with the ICF Code of Ethics.

The title “coach” is reserved for speakers with at least 60 hours of ICF-accredited coach training.

We will need your presentation abstract plus your bio and photo (JPEG) a minimum of 45 days before your presentation. We’ll use them to promote your session on our website, our social media, and by email.

No sales promotions or pitches during your presentation. After your presentation, you can share about what you do, including your services or products. For virtual meetings, you’re welcome to present an offer or discount at that time. For in-person meetings, you can display or hand out your info and offerings.

Handouts are welcome (PDF or printed), including your contact details and any special offer. Please bring your own.

We don’t share attendee contact information with speakers. Attendees are welcome to share their info with you directly or through a contact form you provide after your presentation.

We’re not able to pay a presenter fee, but we’re sincerely grateful for your generosity in serving our coach community!

Speaker Benefits

Visibility with the ICF Sacramento membership and community

Your name, bio, photo, and presentation details listed on our online events calendar, shared on our social media, and promoted by email before the session

Following your presentation, the opportunity to share about your services or products, along with a special offer if you choose

The option to share your own contact form so interested attendees can connect with you directly

How to Apply

Review the guidelines. Before you apply, please carefully read “Speaker Policies” above, along with the ICF Definition of Coaching, ICF Core Competencies, ICF Code of Ethics, and ICF Continuing Coach Education.

Shape your topic. Consider how it meets our members’ professional or personal development needs. Your session must align with ICF standards, and your application should show how your topic fits. Please also check our Calendar of Events for the past year so you don’t duplicate a recent topic.

Tie it to Core Competencies and/or Resource Development. In your application, please indicate how your program ties to Core Competencies, Resource Development, or both, and how you’ll tailor your presentation to have a coach-specific focus. (See “ICF Sacramento CCEU Guidelines for Speakers” below.)

Complete our Speaker Interest Form.

Thank you for applying! Our Program Development team reviews each application with our members’ needs and annual program content in mind. We’ll reach out to discuss next steps if your session could be a fit, and we’re grateful for everyone who takes the time to apply.

ICF Sacramento CCEU Guidelines for Speakers

Coach Continuing Education Units (CCEUs) matter to our members. ICF credential holders must earn a specific number of CCEUs every renewal cycle in both Core Competencies and Resource Development. We give priority during our selection process to programs that meet ICF guidelines for CCEUs.

ICF CCEU Category Definitions and Examples

ICF’s Continuing Coach Education Units are available in two types:

Core Competencies: Training that deepens and strengthens a coach’s understanding and practice of the ICF Core Competencies through real-time, interactive instruction or activities.
Resource Development: Training that expands a coach’s knowledge and tools beyond the Core Competencies, such as personal growth, assessments or tools, and business building.

Your session may fall under Core Competencies, Resource Development, or both. In your application, please indicate which category(ies) your program ties to and how you’ll tailor your presentation to have a coach-specific training focus. (Please note that ICF makes the final determination on the credit type awarded.)

Examples

Core Competencies:

Using assessment results to evoke client awareness
Evoking awareness to help clients explore their paths
Building trust and safety with clients
Active listening and communication with clients
Coaching across cultures and generations

Resource Development:

Learning how to use a specific assessment tool
Discovering your path
Building your business
How to apply for an ICF credential
Public speaking
Cultural competency

Please let us know if we can answer any questions about applying to speak to our coach community. Just click below to contact the Director of Program Development.

Contact the Director of Program Development