Confidentiality

Confidentiality Expectations for ICF Cleveland Events

Updated 8/27/2021

ICF Cleveland is the hub of a highly-engaged coaching community comprised of many individuals who have developed bonds, strong familiarity, and comfort with one another. Our ethical standards are one of the core elements of this community. To protect our ethical standards as well as the bonds developed within our community, ICF Cleveland established specific community expectations as an extension to, and reminder of, the ICF Global Code of Ethics by which all ICF Members and Credential Holders are bound. By registering for and/or attending ICF Cleveland events, you are agreeing to abide by the following expectations regardless of your ICF affiliation.

The ICF Global Code of Ethics can be found at: https://coachingfederation.org/ethics/code-of-ethics 

DEFINITIONS

Event: Any ICF Cleveland organized gathering or meeting, in-person or via technology.

Program: A segment of an ICF Cleveland Event with an explicit learning objective and/or presentation. There may be one or multiple presenters and pre-selected or in-program volunteer Clients. In addition to volunteers, Attendees may also share or contribute to the Program.

Coaching Demonstration: A Program involving a skilled coach who coaches a volunteer Client as Program Attendees observe for the purpose of coaching skill and professional development.

Participants: Individuals who are present at, or listen to, or watch an ICF Cleveland Event live or recorded.

Attendees: Individuals who attend, watch, or listen to a recording of an ICF Cleveland Event, Program, or Coaching Demonstration without a designated, active role.

Clients: Individuals who have volunteered (in advance or ad hoc) to be coached or share their coaching experiences as a part of a Demonstration or Program for the benefit of Program Attendees.

Confidentiality Expectations

During Programs

Attendees will limit comments and questions to a Client or other Attendees throughout Coaching Demonstration or Program to the theme or purpose of the Demonstration or Program.

Attendees will not address the content of a coaching matter discussed during a Program, attempt to coach, or offer advice to a Client outside the explicit purpose and agenda of the Demonstration or Program.

During Non-Program Segments of Events

Participants will not discuss personal or coaching content shared by any other participant during the Program with that person or any other Participant once the Program is complete unless the “owner” of that personal content initiates the conversation.

Participants will not ask Clients or other Attendees to further discuss their experience with the coaching matter or Demonstration experience during the debriefing segment of an Event immediately following the Program. Participants are welcome to share and discuss their own personal reflections.

Following Events

Participants, regardless of coaching certification or credentials, will hold all information shared by Participants (Clients and Attendees) during a Program as strictly confidential information and not discuss personal information revealed during the Program with anyone outside the Program.

These confidentiality expectations apply to information and content shared during Program segments of ICF Cleveland Events. During any networking, chapter business, or otherwise non-Program associated segments of an Event, Participants are expected to limit personal and professional information they share to topics for which they hold no expectations of confidentiality and are willing to discuss more openly.