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Column
Index
tony
dovale
judy
irving
natalie
tucker miller
tonia
carrelli
bill
howatt
diana
hart
frank
traditi
nancy
boyd
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September 6, 2001
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 pro-bono
clients: parents and families
coach natalie tucker miller
"A civilization is only as strong as the families it comprises." This is a
driving force behind my love of helping people. I've had the opportunity to
work with families in my community for the past 10 years, helping
them to strengthen their skills and extract the joy that parenting should bring.
Some of the people I have coached for free
Years ago I began facilitating groups of parents with a specific parenting
model. As a preschool teacher, I had access to many families, most of whom
were familiar with my philosophies. These classes consisted of 12 to 20
participants, and the rewards from seeing a parent have a bell go off in
their head is beyond description. As time went on, I felt more comfortable
coaching individual families with their specific concerns.
Why I do this work
Five years ago, our family joined the ranks of Home Educators, and I added
another dimension to my repertoire. Coaching people who were looking for
alternatives to public education. My love for helping humans realize their
potential is all the motivation I need, and watching a family grow and thrive
is more compensation than I could hope for. I could not even put a dollar
amount on that joy.
Issues/foci
One of the main tenets I work to get across to these families is this: We are
who we are. Accept your children, spouse, mother, father, sibling, self,
etc., for who they are, and work on recognizing their strengths. All too
often parents are quick to pick up on what they perceive as weaknesses. I
don't believe in weaknesses. They are a myth, a preconceived notion that is
inaccurate.
Outcomes/benefits of coaching this group
I will continue for as long as people ask for my counsel. When we reach out
to help someone, the results are exponential. Coaching families is what
brings me the most personal happiness, aside from spending time with my own
wonderful family.
Tips/suggestions for coaches considering doing pro- bono work
Anyone who can find the time to help others grow will grow themselves, in
ways they may not have even considered. Find that topic which you are
passionate about, and use it guide others. Using local town newspapers is
great way to announce a free event, such as a topic discussion at a local
hall, school or business, and soon your philanthropy will have a life of
it's own!"
You can contact
Natalie at Gnat58@aol.com.
|
 pro-bono
clients: unemployed
coach tonia carrelli
Some of the people I have coached for
free
I've been working with people who were transitioned out of work - not by choice. These individuals are career focused, but due to the economy and many companies downsizing, they've been forced to find new jobs. Some have taken this free time as an opportunity to determine if what they were doing is really what they WANT to do moving forward. Sometimes they realize that the industry or size of company isn't the right "fit" for them, but are not sure what is the right fit for them.
Why I do this work
I do this for free because I believe in helping people - especially when they need it most. I look at this type of service in this manner: They are potential paying clients (when they find work) and they are definitely referral sources for my practice. Either way I can't lose! I have tools to help these people through a very stressful time - ultimately reaching their goal of gainful employment. Through the experience, they learn what coaching is, learn what my style is like, and can continue as a paying client down the road - if they choose. Ultimately, I look at this type of work as my way of "giving back to the community". I don't go in with the expectation that they will become paying clients. However, if the conversation leads down that path, then we discuss the possibility.
My rewards
I get a lot of satisfaction helping people through career transitions. Being a military spouse with a career, I know all too well what it is like to be "in flux" without much say and starting from scratch. I get great satisfaction from seeing the person's confidence return - especially if it took a hard hit from the unsuspected downsizing. I enjoy seeing their efforts pay off (interviews), and eventually I get the best reward: celebrating their success in landing their new job.
Issues/foci
Fear and low self-esteem are the two biggest issues they face. Then its strategizing on how to find the right job for them - sometimes that involves re-evaluating their values around work and what they want out of their work life. Other times it just involves what kinds of companies are they going to target, improving their networking skills, and letting them practice their interviewing skills with me playing the Employer's role. We also may go over what took place during interviews for them to get some constructive feedback, if necessary, for how they handled a particular question. Roadblocks are also addressed - for example, when someone gets many job interviews, but no offers.
Outcomes/benefits of coaching to them
I've observed their self-confidence significantly increase, clearer goals crystallize around what they want in their job, the type of employer they want to work for, and the types of responsibilities they want. They've found other ways to bring in income when their unemployment checks are near the end - allowing them to cover their bills with confidence. They've connected more strongly with their spiritual side to help them find inner strength and support - reaching out to their faith's community. They've also learned to include family members as part of the solution to their situation - allowing them to enhance their relationships. They learn to trust their intuition more.
Tips/suggestions for coaches considering doing this pro bono work
I have found this to be very rewarding - mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If you have a full practice but are considering this type of pro bono work, here are some things to think about:
a) If necessary, limit the number of pro bono clients you take on at one time - say, no more than 3-4.
b) Schedule the appointments for your convenience, too. i.e., since they are unemployed, their time is more flexible than yours.
c) Consider only doing this type of pro-bono work via phone or Instant Messaging - saves money (no long distance phone calls) and you can copy and paste the messages if you want notes.
d) Perhaps offer 20 min sessions vs. 30-45min sessions.
e) Perhaps offer speaking with the pro bono client every other week (2x/month) with unlimited email in-between.
f) Do on a month-to-month basis. Transitioners need at least 4-6 weeks to get situated, I've found.
Other comments
This type of coaching is very beneficial for new coaches and coaches in training programs - great practice! The rewards are more than worth your time and effort!
You can contact Tonia at tlcarrelli@earthlink.net.
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 pro-bono
clients: university football players
coach bill howatt
I do my pro bono coaching for Acadia University Football Team, located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. I started out actually coaching the offensive line 12 years ago, and prior to that I was a player for five
years. One could say that I have sports in my blood, especially football. However, as I get older, golf seems to make more sense for my body.
Some of the people I have coached for
free
In the last few years, I have developed a program for young athletes that is a combination of sports psychology and life coaching. The goal is to help players balance the challenges of playing a varsity sport and obtaining an education.
Why I do this work
I love talking, listening, and working with these young players for many reasons. One of the most important for me is that at 37 years of age I now truly understand the importance of obtaining a sound education. The fact of the matter is that each year only a few are going to graduate on to the pros. I can recall while a young player at Acadia, my entire motivation for going to school was to use it as a way to allow me to play football so I could get my crack at the pros. I put my studies off too many times for the game. From my personal experience as both a player and position coach, I have come to determine how important it is for players to focus on balancing both school and the game. This is why I do it! The sharing not of knowledge, but of wisdom. I believe knowledge is the action of obtaining information, where wisdom is the acceptance that it is true.
The question of why do I do this for free is very neat for me. I think sometimes I should be paying them. The energy of these young strong minded souls fills me with a passion for life each time I am around them. I get such a rush out of watching a young person get it! What I mean is that they understand that they can have more in life when they are able to develop their focus. Too many young people fight wars in their heads, and lose them before they ever take action. I like the reward of helping young men get on the right track, and learn some important life skills for personal success. The players tell me that what we do together helps to build a community among the team, and helps the team find its passion, to where players talk about the direct benefits to them. The Head Football coach tells me that he is fully converted, and hopes to hell I am not going to stop doing this in the near future. I tell him not to worry.
Issues/foci
The kinds of issues we address are as follows: Peak state; getting into the zone; fear; anxiety; home sickness; girl problems; study issues; parenting issues; making the team; starting concerns. I also am active in serious issues such as high risk cases. Because of my background in psychology, I often get a call to help as well, which I do willingly.
Team Coaching Format
I start out working with the entire team -- all 90-100 players. We meet as a group each week for a 30-minute group coaching meeting where I meet with the entire team to focus on a theme (e.g., personal goal setting). We use a program I wrote called Football Psyche that is based on balancing life so one can excel. From these sessions the young men get to learn important knowledge that will help them on and off the field. This activity helps me to build rapport with them as well, so they can learn who I am, and what I am about. After each meeting, players come to me for a power coaching session. These are
three or four-minute sessions where I help them find a solution so they can get a focus for the week with clear actions steps that they can measure. Players also can book times with me. I give a few hours a week for players who like extra help or players the coaches would like me to chat with.
Tips for Coaching Young Male Athletes
1. It is important to have a sense of humor.
2. Athletes, especially males, typically respond better to X-players.
3. Working with teams, it is important to keep things simple, and have a clear and measurable coaching plan for the team.
4. Have handouts, and use overheads.
5. Use a journal program.
6. Be well prepared and crisp.
7. Believe in what you are saying. Sound simple, but be congruent if you are going to be a true role model.
8. Be approachable ALWAYS.
9. Never say LATER; always create an action plan no matter how short and simple.
10. Never have a favorite; spread your wisdom; be aware of who you are around.
My rewards
With the busy schedule I keep, I can tell you with all that I do, nothing seems as rewarding as those thirty-minute sessions each week in the fall. Heck, I drive thirty minutes to get to them, so I must love it. My closing statement is the population does not matter as long as your passion is there. I like what I have learned from Deepak Chopra: life is like a river. We must be willing to take from the river and to give. This is how the river keeps flowing.
You can contact Bill at www.howattcompany.com.
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 pro-bono
clients: women and non-profits
coach diana hart
When I first started my coaching practice many people told me they started off by coaching for free. I didn't think this was a good idea because my question was, "how do you turn someone you've been coaching for free into a client who will pay?" Consequently, I decided not to do this. Then, I started working with a coach who said to me, "I know someone who starts out working with people for free. She turns some of these people into paying clients." We talked about this and I told her my feelings and she said, "Diana. You're not thinking big enough. What if you gave away 10 hours of coaching a month and received 2-3 clients because of it. Would this be worth it to you?" I decided that I would try it.
Some of the people I have coached for
free
What I realized at that moment was how much I love coaching. I love it enough to offer some people coaching for free. I have worked with nonprofit organizations and women who are just starting a business. The reason I decided to give some free service is so that people can get an idea of how I coach. I also do this because it gives me practice on dealing with certain types of issues that come up for everyone. Part of my target market is people in transition. Often, when they are in transition they really don't have the money to pay a fee. I see this as an opportunity because if I coach them to success, they will either come on as a paying client or they will be a great source of referral because they know me better.
Here in Colorado, coaching is still an unknown for some people. The Denver Coach Federation started a "coaching pool" where we coach the boards of nonprofit organizations. We also go on Channel 4 in our area to provide coaching via their "help line." These two opportunities we do free and they help us hone our laser skills. With this in mind, I decided to try this on my own and found that people do respond and want to help me build my practice once they get a taste of what I do.
My rewards
By doing some free coaching, I also had to deal with my own issues around money, wealth, "giving my talents away," and so forth. To deal with these issues I think make me a stronger coach. The way I see this…I coach a couple people for free as a sharing or giving of my talents to help generate other work.
Issues/foci
I look for people who are ready to move towards a goal but who aren't sure how to get there. These are the same people I look for in my paid practice. After we've talked and gotten to know each other a bit, and I know their circumstances, I ask them about coaching. If they really aren't sure they have the money, we talk about an exchange. Free coaching for a month in exchange for a decision at the end to pay for coaching or to become a referral partner. I coach them for half an hour, four times in the month. At the end of the month, they make a decision. I don't give any handouts or start them on any specific programs, but I do straight, laser coaching to give them a feel for how it works. I am as genuine and as present for them as I am with my paid clients.
I have seen the same issues for many: money, starting a business and not knowing exactly what to do, in a divorce situation and wanting to get working or going back to school, just starting out as a college student after graduation, wanting to work on self-esteem issues, wanting to become more organized, wanting to grow a business but not having the funds to do it, and so forth.
My strength as a coach is to help people focus and find what they truly love to do. My tag line is, "helping women find their voice and make an impact on the world." I feel I do this for men and women equally. Another strength that I have is a coach is that people understand that I can help them move into their dreams at a faster rate than they could do by themselves. Often, after a person is used to coaching and has to stop, they come back later as a paid client because they know more what they want. Sometimes not having the money to pay for it means that they just don't now how it will benefit them. When they actually feel the benefit, they're more inclined to show up as a paid client.
Why I do this work
I think there is a certain universal law of give and take that says that the more you put out, the more you gain. I have seen that the more I am willing to coach people - whether I do this for money or not - the more opportunities I have for myself. I have paid clients coming from referrals and I have a cheering section that can't wait to find others for me because they know what I do. These to me are more qualified leads. I use the free coaching as a marketing tool to get my name out to many different people.
Now, some people may say, "but everyone is going to tell others you coach for free." That was something I was worried about at first but what I found is that my free clients are asking me for business cards so they can pass them out. They are recommending me to others and just letting them know to call me. It's up to me to do the rest. I have gained more clients because I am willing to put for the effort to just coach. Also, I can say that right now, I'm building my practice with this method and one out of two freebies have become clients.
Tips/suggestions for coaches considering doing this pro- bono work
My biggest tip if you're going to do pro-bono work is to do it and not expect it to turn into a paid client. By keeping this in perspective we are able to give our best coaching to an individual whether they are paying for services or not. I know coaches who get discouraged because they couldn't turn a free client into a fee client but this is to be expected. Sometimes a surprise happens when we're not looking for it. Other tips:
- Decide how much of your practice will be pro bono.
- Decide how many clients at any given time will be pro bono.
- Decide the parameters of your work. Will you give an individual everything you give a paid client? Will you give them all of your services? How will you support them during the time you coach them? How much time will you give them? For how long?
- Look for specific types of clients. I don't think that they
have to be different than your target market. I choose people who resonate with me and who are willing to move.
- Think about trading services. This is a type of pro bono situation but you get a service for their service. If you do this, pick people who you can trade hour for hour with. My CPA is a traded service.
- Do pro bono work because you want to. Deal with your own issues around giving something away and be at peace with it.
Pro bono work doesn't have to only be for new coaches. I know more experienced coaches who occasionally give pro bono work as a tithe or a way of sharing what they know with someone else. I think when we do this it allows us to generate more. When the universe knows you're willing to do what you love no matter what…the money truly does follow.
You can contact Diana at transitioncoach@qwest.net
or visit her
website at www.hart2heart.com
|
 pro-bono
clients: junior achievement organization
coach frank
traditi
I am a member of the board of directors for the Rocky Mountain Junior Achievement organization here in Denver,
Colorado. I have been a board member for a number of years now via the companies I worked for. Now I am representing
my company, CoachFrank, on the board and wanted to give back to the extremely hard working staff of JA.
Some of the people I have coached for
free
The staff rarely (if ever) gets to participate in
professional and team development training and education due to costs, not enough time, and overall schedules. To say
that the staff appreciates the opportunity to further their skills and professional development both on the team and in
their personal lives, it a gross understatement. When you feel the energy from a room full of people that are totally
immersed in what you are giving them, you know its the right thing to do.
Issues/foci
I am providing a 6 week, 1-2 hours per week, Team and
Individual Communication and Goal Setting program. There are 15 staff members participating in the program for the 6
weeks. Each module progresses from a unique way to understanding communication and work styles through setting
SMART goals both for teams and individually then onto
leadership. I am using the "3-Filters" Technology and Life Perspective Inventory (this is a program I am certified to
facilitate). This program essentially determines, through a Life Perspective Inventory assessment tool, how your "mental
DNA" is configured in two key aspects. First, is how you filter information and communication and second is what
"role preferences" you have in various dimensions - individual, team/group and work.
Outcomes/benefits of
coaching this group
This program is helping the JA team to increase their
communication levels amongst everyone on the staff. The other key benefit is how they now can gain a clearer and
deeper communication level with everyone who is a client - volunteers, contributing companies, teachers and board
members. By utilizing these techniques and understanding how people interact, it has significantly improved their
performance, how they set goals, complete projects and several more.
My rewards
What I find rewarding is the fact that they are extremely grateful for my time and willingness to offer the program.
Its like having 15 of the best clients you could think of in one room for 6 weeks, 1-2 hours each week. They are hungry,
want to improve, love to hear new ideas and really enjoy
being coached. That to me is reward enough. When do we ever get the chance to have our best clients in one room
doing the thing you love the most.
Tips/suggestions for coaches considering doing this pro- bono work
If I could offer some advice to other coaches - jump on the opportunity today to offer your services to the folks that
don't get the chance very often or at all. You will be surprised on how satisfied you will feel. We all get in a
rut sometimes with our practices and business issues or whatever. If you take the chance to be generous of your
time and expertise, guaranteed you will get out of that rut as soon as you start working with these folks.
You can contact Frank at frank@coachfrank.com.
|
pro-bono
clients: dog training club
coach nancy boyd
Here's one for you. I am currently coaching a dog training club! Yep, and it's pro-bono.
Why I do this work
1) They really needed a coach but didn't know it. When I offered, they were very relieved and pleased. This is the first contact some of the leaders have ever had with coaching.
2) I am a member of the club and because of some physical challenges, not easily able to volunteer for many of their other needs (setting up equipment, being a "gopher", etc.) This was something I COULD do that would help.
3) I wanted to see the club move past its "stuck" places. The training that is offered there helps many people (and their pets), by keeping dogs in loving homes (because they are well behaved after being trained) rather than moving on to almost certain death at the pound, and by fostering healthy and fun relationships between species.
Why I do this work
The MAIN reason I do this is I believe in tithing my time back to the community. I reserve time in my life to find ways to do that. Sometimes it's coaching, sometimes something else (such as teaching ESL to disadvantaged people, or mentoring a welfare-to-work entrepreneur, etc.)
Issues/foci
What do I actually do with the club? Mostly I work with the President and Officers, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization and its events. A lot of the work is people-skills (how to get along with others whose style may be dramatically different from yours, dealing with issues where individuals in the group may have differing agendas or passions, and how to team-build when there is not always 100% buy-in).
Outcomes/benefits of
coaching this group
Challenging work, to be sure. But that's where coaching can shine! It's by offering people options and choices, that attitudes and behaviors can shift, and by helping people see that there really CAN be win-win outcomes.
The club has a long way to go, but in the process, we are all learning great stuff and having some fun. I'm learning new and unexpected ways to offer group coaching, and I'm constantly amazed that I even thought of such a thing. It's worth it.
Other comments
Do I offer other pro bono coaching? Not usually. But in my own
heart I have a place where if my coaching could make the difference for someone, I think I'd do it. I'd probably coach them for free until they are earning enough income to pay me!
My regular (fee) clients are Cultural Creatives and an Indigo child and his family; these are my ideal clients and I currently have nearly a full practice.
You can contact Nancy at brightwings@worldnet.att.net
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