Laurette Leagon, President of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce has graduated from Institute for Organization Management. A four-year nonprofit leadership training program, IOM is held June 22-26, 2008, at the University of Georgia.
The U.S. Chamber's Institute is a four-year program held at five sites each year--one in the winter and four in the summer. Leagon recently returned from her last course in Athens, Georgia where she said that she enjoyed learning new approaches to Elkin development.
"Most interesting as far as tourism development authorities go," Leagon said, "was the idea that spending part of occupancy tax for a beautification plan is very important. If you don't have something beautiful to market, why spend the money advertising."
Leagon said that she was always told that the occupancy tax should only be used on marketing and advertising. Now, Leagon said, trends indicate that you should use it to help improve the area you need to market and advertise.
Most participants attend the one-week sessions at the same site each year, building valuable relationships with others in the industry and creating a network of idea sharing.
Leagon said that in particular she would be able to network with the larger cities of Lexington and Statesville, as well as smaller Reidsville and Archdale.
Through a combination of required courses and electives, students enhance their own organizational management skills but add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
A course on technology initiatives called "Technology Decoded" had Leagon feeling proficient.
"I knew as much as professor," Leagon said. "Our chamber website is very advanced with online chat and instant messaging being a biggie, and how user friendly our site is. The teacher brought up our site as an example during class work."
Institute students also earn points toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations.
Graduates of Institute receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in association, chamber, and nonprofit management.
"IOM graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their communities" said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, vice president, Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries."
Leagon said that she will be able to use newfound tools and tips in both Jonesville and Elkin. The Highway 67 business corridor beautification efforts in particular will benefit from her studies.
In Elkin's case, Leagon said that she felt the historic aesthetics were very important to the town.
Supporting the aesthetics to go with historic designation is very important," Leagon said, "so that Elkin doesn't just look like anywhere U.S.A.. Town of Elkin is doing a great job through its' planning department identifying where they want commercial growth."
Greenways will be a big part of both Elkin and Jonesville. Leagon said that they draw a lot of people to the area and compliment the wineries and historic downtown landscapes through both existing parks and future plans. The most controversial topic Leagon said they discussed was the concept of Chambers having some input on elected officials.
"I don't want chamber to just be social committee," Leagon said. "We need to stay involved with economic development and one thing I will take to the board is exploring the possibility of finding a way to support and elect public officials that are pro-business."
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
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