My first Back Porch Gang meeting was the fourth Thursday in May 1999. Lucinda told me
about it-she was my first coach-just as she has told so many others (and coached so many
others). Back in 1999, I thought of Lucinda and Sue Pouppirt as the Back Porch gang and as
co-hosts, they began and presided over the first growth spurt of this group of budding
coaches that I had fallen into.
That first summer of mine we grew quite a bit. Not many are left of that group-either the
first small gang that met on the back porch (just before my time), or the larger gang that
took up Sue's dining room and then living room. Lots of coaches from that time have since
moved on to follow their hearts and to do other things.
The next big growth spurt was not so much a growth of numbers, but a shift in how we
operated. As a bigger and less homogeneous group, we chose--and Lucinda was one of the
instigators of this change--to undergo the transition from "Back Porch Gang" to
a more formal organization (whatever that meant). It was a challenge to become more
"professional" as a group while retaining the spirit of the old gang. New
coaches joined and others moved on. During this difficult time Lucinda was still the
co-host, along with Martha who stepped in when Sue stepped down to devote more time to her
alpacas.
The latter stages of that big transition came as a small group of us worked out a Purpose,
Vision and Walk, created our bylaws and structure, changed our name to Northern Colorado
Coaches Alliance as we became chartered as an official ICF chapter. Lucinda was our first
president starting last year, in May 2001.
This last year, under her presidency, we have seen a tremendous increase in membership,
participation and organization. We have monthly speakers and a consistent and comfortable
meeting place. We've instituted monthly planning meetings in addition to our monthly
membership meetings, and those planning meetings are well attended with a growing number
of new coaches who are anxious to add their energy to continue to evolve our organization.
We had our first annual "Taste of Coaching" seminar, which was attended by over
40 people. And we have started a pro bono program for coaching non-profit leaders in our
community.
With all that history, you might be fooled into thinking that Lucinda is 105 years old,
but that is far from the case. Lucinda, to me, exemplifies the saying, "Still waters
run deep." She has led this organization with quiet energy, fierce devotion, and
capabilities that most people of my generation did not possess until they were much older.
You can always count on Lucinda to get the job done, and I appreciate the safe space she
created for me to grow into the position of president.
The thing that has amazed me most through the years that I have known Lucinda is that
wherever we go together, we run into people who not only know her, but were helped by
her-either through coaching, or training, or by connections she made for them, or by her
working with them on some project. I know that though she is "finally" being
allowed to step down from her leadership role in our Northern Colorado Coaches Alliance,
that she will continue to take an active part in our success and will continue to be a
huge asset to our larger community.
She said that she will take a few months off before she decides what to do with her
new-found time and freedom. I imagine that Lucinda taking a few months off means training
for the next marathon or biathlon. But whatever lies ahead, Lucinda, I want you to know
that you have helped to build a strong organization that will continue to uphold the
values and purpose that you helped to instill within it.
So saying that, I wish to officially thank you from all of us, from the bottom of our
hearts, for the work you have done and for being forever "present" in the
evolution of this organization, the Northern Colorado Coaches Alliance. And we want to
present you with these flowers as a token of our appreciation and a big round of applause.
*********
We also have another member of the leadership circle who is stepping down, temporarily.
Terry Anna showed up about February of last year as a new coach, and by May had been duped
into taking the job of secretary. Since he is the president of his homeowners association,
he only agreed to be secretary if he could share the job. Well, Debra left town within two
months and Terry, without complaining one iota, has dutifully performed the role of
secretary by taking minutes and attending planning meetings.
He has been active in many of our events…I'll personally remember him this past year
as we took down the tent together at last year's holistic health fair, and co starring
together in our short skit at "A Taste of Coaching." I've really enjoyed working
with you on the leadership team, Terry, and though we are giving you a break to get caught
up on your many business ventures, I know you will stay active and will probably be
officially in the leadership circle again soon. As you know, you can always stop by and
attend the leadership-planning meeting at the Coffee connection, right after your workout
at the Pulse. So, thank you Terry for being the trooper that you are.
*****************
I would like to close this "accepting of the flame" speech by saying how excited
I am to be a part of this growing circle of committed, energetic, and fun-loving coaches.
A circle as we are defining it, and are living it, is a group of people held together by a
common purpose. That purpose has to do with our being coaches and bringing to each other,
our professional community and the rest of the world our highest expectations, and the
skills and direction in which to obtain our most noble goals.
The second aspect of a circle, besides the purpose that holds the circle together, is the
position that each of us holds at the edge of the circle. Each of us bringing our own
uniqueness and creativity to the circle as a whole. By bringing our whole selves to the
circle, we strengthen it no matter how experienced or worthy we feel. How many people here
feel like new kids on the block?
Well, we are all both new kids on the block and 105 year olds. We bring our creativity to
a new profession to evolve this organization and this profession in a way never before
seen on this earth. We have an opportunity. And we have the experience. Everything that
each of us has done before in our lives has led us to this time and to this place and to
each other. I fully believe that together, we will not only support each other in our
individual growth as people and as coaches, but that we can make an impact on our
profession and on the world in general.
That is my vision for all of us and this organization, and I am honored to be able to be
in a leadership role at this time. I look forward to working with all of you over this
next year as we move forward as individuals and as an organization toward our highest
dreams. Thank you.