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T H E C O A C H I N G N E W S
Issue No. 12 -- June 28, 1996 -- 891 Subscribers
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INTERNATIONAL COACH FEDERATION
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LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
How do you spell "coach"?
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Hello, ICFers,
I was talking the other day with a relatively new coach, and I asked the question, "So, how are you licensed to operate your business?" The response was, "HUH? Licensed? What do you mean?" I then realized that we do need to remember that coaches are in business, and that some municipalities have regulations that apply to this business we're in.
For example, in order to do business in my county, I must have an occupational license. Knowing this, I went down to the county seat a while back and asked the powers-that-be for an occupational license. The "power" resided in the first clerk I came upon, who smiled at me and said, "What do you do?"
**
"I coach," I said with a big smile. The clerk looked at me with an equally big smile and said, "Wow! What team?"
"I don't coach a team," I said. "Okay," she said, "that will be $35.50 for a Scholastic Gym Instructor's License. Please make your check out to..."
"No, you don't understand," I said. "I do non-sports related coaching."
"Oh, you're a trainer. That's different. That will be $24.50. Make your check out to..."
"No. I COACH!"
"Well, who do you work with?"
"I work with individuals, companies and groups to..."
"Oh, so you're a consultant. That will be $13.50. Please make your check..."
"I guess you don't have an occupational license for a non-sports related coach, do you?"
"That's right. What category do you want to be placed in?"
"You say the consultant slot is $13.50?"
"Yes."
"Sign me up."
***
I walked away a bit confused but delighted. It felt as though I had just gone to market and haggled with a booth owner over the price of something that I really didn't want to begin with, and won.
I remain a bit mixed on the feelings, but as I look up on my office wall, I see a piece of paper with "John S. Nagy -- Consultant" on it, saying it's okay for me to run my business.
It's funny; no matter how it's spelled, it still reads "C-O-A-C-H" to me!
John Nagy, ICF Executive Director
director@coachfederation.org
