Kristen Mahlin, MPA

Who is responsible for oversight and leading our ASCM association? In any enterprise—nonprofit or for-profit—the answer is clear. The Board governs, the CEO runs the organization, and leadership executes. When financial and business health deteriorate to the point of visible instability, it signals a breakdown in governance, accountability, or execution—or all three. At that point, responsibility is no longer theoretical; it is operational, fiduciary, and immediate.  So let’s fix it and get started—right now (in December 2025).

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Moving from #Committee member to board member can be challenging. It typically requires a shift from hands-on, tactical program work to hands-off, strategic oversight. The same tension exists in #Facilitation. It’s easy to approach facilitation like committee work: jumping in, solving, shaping the details. But that’s generally not how we best serve a group. Effective facilitation requires a #Board mindset: less doing, more direction-setting, helping: • Frame the issues. • Structure the process. • Guide the conversation. Let the group do the work. Help them assess progress. #Facilitation #Leadership #Governance #Meetings #Associations

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Are you (or someone you know) facing an ICF PCC credential performance evaluation? My team and I have been assessing ICF performance evaluations since 2012, guiding leaders and coaches toward ACC, PCC, and MCC certification. So we've seen all the biggest mistakes, and worked to find simple ways to help. One of the biggest hurdles is the big leap from ACC to PCC. After more than a decade of listening to recorded coaching sessions, I’ve seen 4 simple shifts that make a real difference in passing PCC and set you up for MCC. If you or someone you know is preparing for PCC evaluations, these quick tips can help deepen your coaching sessions, which is exactly what ICF markers look for. When I worked toward my MCC, I remember how tough it was. Many coaches today feel the same overwhelm. It’s not you, the path really is challenging but also a worthy pursuit. That’s why I’m here: to make the process clearer and more supportive, so you can grow into the kind of coach you want to be. 👏

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⭐️ Benefits of belonging to a professional association ⭐️ Professional associations are a home, a community, for individuals and organizations with an interest in or affiliation to a particular occupation, field, sector, or profession. They serve to offer information and resources to their members and the public, to provide opportunities for learning, to advocate for and to elevate the profession. As a member of a professional association you demonstrate commitment to your profession and to your own professional and personal growth. You also demonstrate commitment to your practice and to your clients. But is it enough to be a member - to have a certificate on your wall or a line on your resume or your name on a directory? Accessing and participating in what a professional association has to offer can broaden your knowledge of your sector, upgrade your knowledge and skills, connect you with opportunities, and expand your network. The benefits extend far beyond event registration discounts, free member webinars, scheduled activities, and member perks. ⭐️ Creating and fostering relationships - both in person and virtually - can help you grow as a professional and also support your professional aspirations. Learn about supports and services to help your clients. Understand a different area of specialization in your field. Access new opportunities to share your knowledge and skills. ⭐️ Sector advancements, updates, and opportunities can be collected and shared to support your own career development, elevate your work, and advance the sector. ⭐️ Keeping current with professional development and continuing education / training requirements for professional certifications or designations can add credibility to the work you do. Stay up to date with application processes, requirement changes, additional opportunities, and more. ⭐️ Contribute to the visibility and growth of your profession by volunteering on the Board of Directors or a committee or a project. Volunteer at an event or conference. Present at an event or conference. Let your network beyond your profession know about your involvement and what you do. Be an advocate for the work you do and the service you provide. Local or regional professional associations are also, often, members of professional associations including national or international associations. These affiliations add an elevated level of connection, professional knowledge, and opportunity to your membership. The most rewarding and memorable experiences of my professional life are the result of my membership with and participation in my professional associations. The return on investment has been a thousand fold thanks to the opportunities, the learning, the growth, the relationships, and the confidence that membership has enabled. Are you a member of a professional association? What is your favourite benefit of membership? Western Canada Career Development Association "WestCanCDA" Michael Yue Lubica Keighery .

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We're tackling some organizational development - through a decolonized/anti-colonial lens - here's some pondering on leadership and leadership development in the industry. https://lnkd.in/gcwSqR4w

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