WASHINGTON, D.C. — Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, announces that Megan Barfield, IOM, President/CEO, of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program on June 5, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies her completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE), certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.
“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber’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.”
Barfield started the program in 2019 at the Southeast Institute in Athens, Ga., at the University of Georgia School of Business. The program took a pause due to COVID in 2020 and 2021. Barfield was able to resume classes in 2022 and chose to continue her studies at the Midwest Institute in Madison, Wis. at the Wisconsin School of Business.
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, 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 week long sessions at four 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 are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It 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 is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.
