“I recently completed my third year of coursework through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM). Since 1921, IOM has provided specialized professional development for chamber, association and nonprofit leaders. The program combines practical instruction from experienced professionals with the opportunity to learn from chamber leaders across the country.
I attend IOM because investing in staff development is also an investment in our Chamber and the businesses we serve. Each session provides new ideas, proven practices and practical tools that we can evaluate and adapt for our organization. It also creates a valuable network of peers who openly share their experiences, challenges and solutions.
This year’s coursework focused on several areas that directly support a stronger, more effective Chamber:
- Strategic planning and governance
- Ethics and accountability
- Member value and revenue
- Data-informed decision-making
- Financial management
- Volunteers and partnerships
- Innovation
One of my strongest takeaways was that successful chambers do not continue programs simply because “we have always done them.” They continually ask whether each program is relevant, delivers meaningful value, supports the mission and produces the intended results.
The lessons and connections gained through IOM will help us strengthen our financial practices, improve member service, make thoughtful decisions about programming and continue building a Chamber that is responsive to the changing needs of our business community.”
-Kathy Betts, Finance Director for The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg
More information about the program is available here: https://www.uschamber.com/…/top-5-reasons-to-attend-the…
