Welcome! If you're a coach who's planning a NEW ENGLAND COACHING MONTH event, way to go! You've come to the right place for all the resources you need to plan, publicize, and put on a fabulous event.

If you're a coach who's still thinking about putting on an event, what are you waiting for? Go for it! You'll have fun, share your gifts, and meet wonderful people who may become your clients, fellow coaches, referral sources, or even friends. Below you'll find two 'Top 10' lists of great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Nothing spells ‘fresh start’ like a new year – 365 glorious days of possibility (better yet … there are 366 days in 2008!). Like a blank canvas, a new year beckons all of us to imagine, plan, and create our best life and become our best selves -- whether it’s finding a more fulfilling career or launching a business, creating a healthier body, or a healthier bottom line.
 
As coaches, our passion is to help others clarify a vision, develop sound plans, access the best tools, and take the necessary steps to achieve the results they want for their lives. This year, we invite you to create fabulous events -- whether on your own or in collaboration with other coaches -- that tap into the energy of a new year to inspire action and plant the seeds of possibility for everyone who attends.

The objectives of NEW ENGLAND COACHING MONTH (FEBRUARY, 2008) are:

• To increase awareness of coaching
• To increase the number of individuals and businesses that engage coaches
• To increase ICF-NE membership

This year, the target is to host as many events in support of these objectives! There are three types of events:

• A Level 1 event is a small gathering hosted by one coach, perhaps at home or in a local coffee shop.
• A Level 2 event is hosted by two or more coaches for 12 or more people in places such as bookstores, libraries, community centers, and churches or synagogues.
   
• A Level 3 event will be a major event, most likely for 100 people or more, to be held as a follow-up to NEW ENGLAND COACHING MONTH.

Here are some great resources to get you started (all linked documents are either Microsoft® Word® .DOC format or Microsoft® PowerPoint® .PPT format):

Planning Your Event

• The Top 10 Ideas for a Level 1 Event (.DOC)
• The Top 10 Ideas for a Level 2 Event (.DOC)
• Event-planning checklist (.DOC) -- Use this comprehensive checklist to plan a great event!

Publicizing Your Event

• The Top 10 Ways to Publicize Your Event (.DOC) -- Use these tips to spread the word about your event, increase your chances of getting a great turnout, and generate opportunities beyond NEW ENGLAND COACHING MONTH.
• Local press release sample and template (.DOC) -- Use this sample and template as a guide to create your own press release for your local/weekly newspapers. If sending via mail, print it on your personal or company letterhead, if possible.
• Flyer template (.DOC) -- Use this CT Chapter template to create your own NEW ENGLAND COACHING MONTH flyer. Feel free to adjust type sizes and fonts as needed.
• Email 'promo' message template (.DOC) -- Use this sample/template to create a personal invitation for your network. This 'personal touch' is a very effective way to get people out to your event.

Putting on Your Event

• PowerPoint presentation template (.PPT) -- If you plan to create overhead transparencies for your event, use this New Jersey template (with the ICF logo) to create your presentation (save this file on your computer first, using the 'Save As' command in the File menu).
• Handout: The Top 10 Tips for Hiring a Great Coach (.DOC) -- Photocopy this and distribute it at your event to encourage participants to hire a coach and guide them through the selection process.
• Evaluation form (.DOC) -- Use this form to collect feedback about your event. Feel free to customize this for your event as appropriate.

***Many thanks to the New Jersey Professional Coaches Association for sharing these Public Relations materials. 
Adapted by Melissa Thornton, C0-VP Marketing and Communications, ICFNE