U.S. Chamber Honors Graduates of Four-Year Advanced Education Program

188 Professionals Receive Graduate Recognition for Advanced Nonprofit Training

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organization Management (IOM) celebrated the completion of its 2009 year in a ceremony honoring 188 association and chamber executive graduates. IOM, the four-year advanced education program for nonprofit professionals, awarded graduates with certificates recognizing their completion of courses.

"Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their communities," said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE the Chamber's executive director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations and vice president of IOM. "With the knowledge and skills that graduates receive at Institute, they will be better prepared to overcome the challenges impeding the creation of stronger associations and chambers."

Each year, participants in the IOM program attend one of five universities across the country for a week of intensive course work, a discussion on best practices, and to take part in peer-to-peer networking. The program offers sites at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin; University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia; Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California; Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania; and a winter site at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Most participants return to their original site each year, building a valuable network of professional contacts. This year, Institute attendees gathered from 48 states and six countries to attend the four summer sites.

At the completion of the four-year curriculum, participants receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn points toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications.

The Institute for Organization Management is a 501(c) (3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the premier nonprofit professional development program for nonprofit professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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