By Meg Moss, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
The Institute for Organization Management is a professional development program of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. I am pleased that I was able to recently complete my second year at Institute, which is a four-year nonprofit leadership program held at the University of Georgia, in Athens.
“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of associations, chambers, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants such as myself are able to enhance our own organizational management skills and add new fuel to our organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
While attending Institute earlier this month, I was able to attend sessions such as, legal issues regarding nonprofit bylaws, marketing strategies, building boards and committees, how to enhance marketing opportunities for members, as well as the importance of customer service in the Chamber world. I was also able to hear several award-winning motivational speakers.
Additionally, I was able to meet reconnect with Chamber professionals that I met at Institute during year one, and meet new Chamber representatives. This networking opportunity is valuable because we learn best practices from each other, and stay in touch throughout the year to share triumphs and struggles, learning from each other and from our respective communities.
The Sanford Area Growth Alliance – Chamber of Commerce won the Institute “knock your socks off” award (voted on by second year participants) for our Real Investment in Sanford Entrepreneurs (RISE) Program, that we facilitate in conjunction with Central Carolina Community College and Downtown Sanford, Inc. This award was presented to the organization that provided the best Chamber program within their respective community.
Institute is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.