The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama announced today three chamber of commerce executives from Alabama have each been awarded a Pay It Forward Scholarship of $500 to attend the U.S. Chamber Institute.
Those receiving Pay It Forward Scholarships to attend the Institute for Organizational Management are Dinah Motley of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Emily Duncan of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and Heather New of The Chamber, Gadsden/Etowah.
Through a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) and Institute for Organization Management, the Pay It Forward Scholarship is awarded to professional members of CCAA to assist them in attending the institute for the very first time.
The Pay It Forward Scholarships recognize each recipient for their involvement in industry professional organizations, community service, and professional back-ground.
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has educated 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 for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.
“Pay It Forward scholarships offer executives the opportunity to attend the institute and learn about emerging industry trends, expand their organizations’ influence, and grow their peer network,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, vice president of Institute for Organization Management at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
“We are pleased to help these talented professionals advance their careers and organizations.”
Each of the Pay It Forward Scholarship recipients will attend the Southeast Institute site at the University of Georgia in 2013.
At the completion of the four-year curriculum, each of the recipients will receive the IOM graduate recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management and their commitment to the industry.
In addition, all credit hours earned through the institute may be applied toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) industry certification.
“Dinah, Emily and Heather are all to be commended for their selection as scholarship recipients. Each of these chamber executives represents the highest standards in our profession. I am excited CCAA is able to continue our partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Institute for Organization Management program to recognize outstanding chamber of commerce leaders and help further their career goals,” said Jeremy L. Arthur, IOM, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama and Chairman of the Board of Regents, Southeast Institute.
Since its beginning in 1937 as the Alabama Association of Commercial Organizations, what is now known as the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) has remained dedicated to advancing the goal that chambers of commerce are the premier local business advocate in the State of Alabama.