Coaching is a powerful tool to help individuals in leadership roles and church leadership teams discover and embrace their God-given goals.

How is coaching done?

Most coaching of individual leaders is done over the telephone or via Skype or other visual technologies. Geographic distance is not a barrier to work with a particular coach. When a coach and a client are located near to each other face-to-face coaching may be possible if that is the client's preference.

Coaching of teams may be done via technology or by arranging for the coach to meet with your team on site.

What are the qualifications of the coaches?

• Coaches who are members of the Synod’s Coaching Network are all certified by the International Coach Federation or have completed a minimum of 60 hours of training approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and are working toward ICF certification.
• Members of the Synod’s NE Coaching Network commit to abide by the ethical standards of the International Coach Federation in the practice of coaching within the Synod of the Northeast.
• Members of the Synod’s Coaching Network are all Presbyterians who are committed to the vision, ministries, churches, and Presbyteries in the Synod of the Northeast.

How can I connect with a Coach?

If you are interested in connecting with a member of the Synod of the Northeast Coaching Network, email us. We will send you bios and contact information for members of the Synod’s Coaching Network who are accepting new clients. After reviewing these, you may contact one or more of the coaches to explore who might be the right coach for you. When you decide to work with a particular coach, you would sign a coaching covenant with that particular coach. The SynodNE Coaching Network does not assign coaches; as with all aspects of coaching, you are in control of the decisions and commitments you make.

If there is not a member of the SynodNE Coaching Network available who is a good match for your needs, the SynodNE Coaching Network may refer you to another coach who is ICF certified. Again, you are in control and will decide whether or not to enter into a coaching covenant with that particular coach.

What does coaching cost?

Coaching fees charged by particular coaches may vary according to their level of certification, experience, and geographic location. Fee structure is one of the important questions to explore when contacting a coach to consider a coaching covenant. It is important to note that it is often possible for pastors/ministry leaders and CREs/lay pastors to request financial assistance for coaching from their Presbytery. Pastors and CREs can also use study leave funds for coaching. Leaders of emerging ministries may wish to seek financial support for coaching from their sponsoring entity (congregation/presbytery, etc.)

Is financial assistance available for coaching?

The Synod of the Northeast has made limited funds available for coaching financial assistance. Applications may be submitted by ministry leaders and leadership teams (including church boards and church committees of PC(USA) congregations and leadership teams of emerging ministries sponsored by the PC(USA)) located within the bounds of the Synod of the Northeast.

Who do we prioritize in granting financial assistance?

• Persons developing applications to be approved as a network who are referred for coaching by the Synod Networker
• Leaders of emerging ministries
• Leaders actively engaged in church transformation
• Young ministry leaders
• Racial/ethnic leaders and leaders of racial/ethnic ministries
• Small church leaders
• Leaders working through transitions and/or adaptive challenges
• Applicants whose coaching is also supported by funds from their presbytery, congregation, and/or continuing education funds.

Who are our coaches?

The Rev. Dr. Betsey Crimmins,* Associate Certified Coach (Presbytery of Geneva)

• The Rev. Robin Curras, Associate Certified Coach (Presbytery of Newton)

• The Rev. Dr. Susan DeGeorge (Presbytery of Hudson River)

• The Rev. Laurie Ferguson,* PhD, Professional Certified Coach (Presbytery of Hudson River)

• The Rev. Dr. Janice Lee Fitzgerald, Professional Certified Coach (Presbytery of Geneva)

• The Rev. Chris Garrison, Associate Certified Coach (Presbytery of Albany)

• The Rev. Krystin Granberg (Presbytery of New York City)

• The Rev. Michael Fry (Presbytery of Genesee Valley)

• The Rev. Chip Low,* Professional Certified Coach (Presbytery of Hudson River)

• Elder Maureen Stone (Presbytery of Genesee Valley)

• The Rev. Anne Waasdorp* (Presbytery of Genesee Valley)

*= Member of Coaching Network Leadership Team

How Do I Join the Coaching Network?

The Synod of the Northeast Coaching Network is open to all Presbyterians in the Synod of the Northeast who are certified professional coaches or who have completed at least sixty hours of professional coach training and are working toward certification as a professional coach.

Members of the SynodNE Coach Network commit to:

• Abiding by the ethical standards of the International Coach Federation in the practice of coaching within the Synod of the Northeast.
• Offering at least five pro bono coaching hours to Synod-related ministries and/or ministry leaders within the Synod each year.
• Being available for consultation with each other and for support of each other as they provide professional coaching services to Presbyterians within the Synod of the Northeast.
• Participating at least twice a year to evaluate the work of the network and to share insights gained from working with forming networks, approved networks, emerging ministries, and ministry leaders in order to promote best practices in this work and gain fresh perspectives for this ministry.