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The 2009 Sherpa Recertification Conference
The 2009 conference carried the theme: "The Value of Truth". Held again in Cincinnati, Ohio, this 4th annual conference set new records for attendance and efficiency.
For the first time, conference, meals and lodging were under one roof. Graduates from every program attended: Penn State, Georgia, TCU, Louisville, Cincinnati, Kent State, Xavier, US Bank and Toyota. Those who came were re-certified until July 2010, by fulfilling the requirement for continuing education.
The Sherpa author team unveiled their new book: "BE . . don't do: The Sherpa Guide to Coaching for managers" at the conference. (book web page here)
View Sherpa Conference 2009 Photo Galleries. Click on links below.
Opening Reception | Groups | Presentations | Awards | Closing
Sunday saw bonus sessions on internal coaching and on marketing. Sandra Thomas, 2008 Sherpa of the Year, led the program on internal coaching. Bill Smith, 2006 Sherpa of the Year, led the marketing breakout with Sherpa Managing Partner Karl Corbett.
The evening reception was a time to renew class acquaintances and enjoy an evening of coaching conversation. Dave Stewart, keyboardist for Midnight Star, provided music, accompanied by 'Duck' Stewart on bass.
The team from Sherpa HQ, seven staff in all, was introduced, sporting the first Sherpa logo fashion item, a long-sleeved shirt with the ABC's of Sherpa coaching on the back.
Seven success stories were chosen, early on, and introduced over the next few days. The newest member of the Sherpa team, Ernie Waits, introduced our success stories, leading to a close-call victory by Dick Saunders, UGA graduate.
The '09 Trailblazer of the Year Award went to Pamela Canning, a firebrand who practices and promotes the Sherpa process with unbridled enthusiasm. Ms. Canning also won Question of the Year for her query: 'What is Truth?'
The 2009 Sherpa of the Year award went to Pam Basil, an internal coach at Heinzerling Foundation in Columbus, Ohio. Ms Basil was certified in the first CSC program, in 2004, and is the only Sherpa to have been through the certification program twice. She was surprised when Heinzerling's Administrator, Chris Rafeld, joined the festivities to honor Pam and deliver a 10-minute testimonial to the power of Sherpa coaching and the changes she has witnessed at Heinzerling.
It was apparent from the beginning that this conference was going to be different. The Sherpa author team opened with a live demonstration of how much coaches have to juggle.
Sandra Thomas shared a wide range of client gifts, charas in Sherpa parlance, and sparked some serious discussion about using them.
Unprecedented programming featured a live, unrehearsed coaching session captured on video, with Brenda Corbett working with a client on their 'Personal Inventory".
In another first, Authors Corbett, Ho and Colemon released their new book, "Be . . don't do: The Sherpa Guide to Coaching for Managers", and signed copies for everyone in attendance.
'What Managers Need to Know' featured five coaching moments from the 2-day program 'Coaching Skills for High Performance'. A dozen Sherpas stayed on for an extra day of education to become Certified Skills Trainers (CST).
This year, each Sherpa author/educator held a breakout. By demand, Rubi Ho presented his breakout on executive contact management on both Monday and Tuesday. Brenda Corbett presented "The Truth About Clients' Homework". Judy Colemon delivered "The Truth About Your Filters".
The next Sherpa recertification conference will be held June 6-8, 2010, in the Cincinnati metro area, centrally located in the US and convenient for Sherpas around the world. Every Certified Sherpa Coach should save the date.
