This Is IOM

After 23 years to the day, exactly 100 Institute sites, 60 BeReal’s (including today’s!), it's time to say goodbye to one of the most dedicated champions Institute for Organization Management has ever had — Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE. Before he walks out the door on his very last day at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, IOM Staff member and host Cici sits down with Raymond for a proper retirement send...

After 4 years, 37 episodes, and more edits than he'd like to admit, it's time to say goodbye to the mastermind behind This Is IOM —Nathan Graham. Before he hands over the mic and moves on to a new role at the U.S. Chamber, IOM Staff member and new host Cici puts him in the hot seat for one final exit interview. In this episode, we're reflecting, reviewing, and laughing our way through it all — fro...

The conversation delves into the Winter Institute experiences of the attendees and Board of Regents' chair, highlighting the impact of the Institute curriculum, memorable experiences, building connections, and the role of the chair at the Winter Institute site. Guests Kathi Roetter, IOM T.J. Holmes, IOM Tia Stone, IOM If you like what you heard and want to get some more, subscribe to the podcast w...

Ho ho hold onto your hats! "Father Quizmas" (aka Nathan Graham, IOM) has arrived to pit the Institute team against one another in the ultimate holiday trivia showdown. Join Senior Director Karyn MacRae, IOM, CAE, CMP, Senior Manager Cici Francisco, IOM, CDP, and the newest team member Sam Kolb as they face off in a competition of the mind. From obscure Institute curriculum codes and volunteer orga...

As Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations race to adopt new Artificial Intelligence tools, they face a critical question: How do we balance efficiency with the public trust we’ve spent decades building? In this episode, Nathan sits down with Jim Johnson, IOM, CCE, President & CEO of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and Institute faculty member on technology and ethics. Just in time for Th...

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of non-profit governance , leadership, and the art of sustaining your mission. We explore the delicate balance a board must strike between strategic oversight and operational management , discussing effective practices for cultivating a high-performing board that truly drives the organization forward. Our guests, experienced leaders Joseph Jones, IO...

What is the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) experience really like? In this special episode, Nathan sits down with four recent graduates who share a unique honor: they were all chosen to be the graduation speaker for their respective classes at the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast sites. Join this candid conversation with: Carla Young, IOM, from the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerc...

In this episode of IOM, we delve into the crucial topic of non-dues revenue for associations and chambers. We explore why reliance on membership dues alone is becoming increasingly unsustainable and discuss effective strategies for diversifying revenue streams while staying true to an organization's mission. Our guest expert, Avi Olitzky, President and Principal Consultant of Olitzky Consulting Gr...

This week on the show, we're getting to know Judd Wilson, IOM, from the Community Development Foundation in Mississippi. Judd shares his unique journey from pharmaceutical sales to non-profit work, revealing the surprising path that led him to his current role. He discusses the challenges and rewards of his work, the importance of servant leadership, and how he brings his authentic self to the job...

Time for some background knowledge. There is a lot that goes into making Institute well…Institute.  It can be like planning a conference and a small college all at the same time. However, we on the Institute team are not alone in our endeavor to educate in nonprofit management.  One of the most vital components to the whole system is an often unsung group of volunteers who help develop the curricu...

Every time I mention the name of this series in a staff meeting, I always get a laugh or an eye roll. Why? Is it because typically calling someone a personality hire  is an insult. Probably…but I’m sure no one will forget the name. So. Who really wins here... That’s right. It’s me. So, who is the winner of the personality hire crown this time? It would be Kathy Duck, IOM from the O’Fallon Chamber...

The term personality hire is commonly used in a negative context. Typically used to describe someone who was hired because they are really nice, or funny, or have great hair (like myself) Wait…. I’ll save the existential crisis for later, but for this series: I’m highlighting our volunteers that we want to get to know because they are great volunteers. I am just one for thought provoking marketing...

What do you define as a disaster?  And…what disasters has your community faced?  We’ve all become accustomed to the images of different disasters impacting our country and the world at large. Wildfires out west, tornados in the plains, and hurricanes in the Deep South, plus many others. The last one is what I want to stay on, hurricanes in the Deep South. Now, as someone who grew up in Georgia. We...

This is IOM, the official podcast of recapping Winter Institute. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. This podcast is a window into what makes Institute possible. My guests today are  Rudy Flores, IOM from the Lincoln Squares-Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and Crystal Hilton, IOM from the Foster City Chamber of Commerce. In this episode, we take a look back at 2025 Winte...

This is IOM, the official podcast of intelligence with artificial flavoring. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. This podcast is a window into what makes Institute possible. My guest today is Jeanne Sheehy, MBA, Chief Marketing Officer at Bostrom. In this episode, we’re talking about AI. I will say, I was ambivalent to doing this episode, not because of the guest becaus...

The official podcast of holiday cheer. Today, Stephanie Parton, IOM, CAE, and Angie Whitcomb, IOM (Hospitality Minnesota) interview each other about being the chair of the Institute Board of Trustees. If you like what you heard and want to get some more, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get them. Also, come to Institute and meet more chamber/association/ nonprofit professionals.  You can find...

This Is IOM…the official podcast of good clean ethical living. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. This podcast is your window in what makes Institute... Institute. Today, we are talking about ethics. While this might sound like the philosophy seminar you tried to skip out on in college, I'm going to go ahead and dispel of those rumors. For our very practical discussion...

This Is IOM…the official podcast of diversifying your revenue stream. We have a two-part episode today with a focus on insurance for the first half and an overall discussion of non-dues revenue to close us out. For first section, our guests are Jim Skelton from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Scott Colby from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and Timmy Bennett from MetLife. For the g...

This Is IOM, the flagship podcast of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager Extordinaire.  Our topic today focuses on community & economic development. For this discussion, I have enlisted 2 of Institute’s finest. Those 2 being Chris Romer, IOM from the Vail Valley Partnership and Jeremy Arthur, IOM, CCE from the Gov...

This is IOM, the flagship podcast of the final Institute site of the summer. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. Our window into how the program works takes us to up to Villanova, Pennsylvania. To get the best perspective from Northeast, we have Nina DeAngelo, IOM from the Mid-America Veterans Museum and Nicole Stephenson, IOM from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. To...

This is IOM, the flagship podcast of split interviews about Southeast Institute. Im your friend, Nathan Graham. Associate Manager for Institute. Our window into how Institute works takes us to Athens, GA. More specifically, talking about the site that was with our two graduation speakers. Nicholas Glover, IOM serves as the Vice President of Build to Zero at the Environmental Defense Fund and Josh...

This is IOM, the flagship podcast of talking about something that happened months ago. I’m your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. Our topic for the first of three wrap-up podcasts has been described by many as the best way to start off the summer. That being Midwest Institute. Our hosts and guests today are: Stephanie Parton, IOM, CAE (Indiana CPAs Society) Cecilly "Cici" Fra...

This is IOM, the flagship podcast of Southeast Institute. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. This podcast is a window into what makes Institute possible. And we have no clearer window than our guests from our Southeast LIVE podcast. I was joined by Anissa Starnes, IOM, Chief Impact Officer for YGM Total Resource Campaigns and Jeremy Arthur, IOM, CCE from the Government...

This is IOM, the flagship podcast of summer professional development. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. This podcast is a window into what makes Institute possible. My guest today is the Chief Impact Officer of YGM Total Resource Campaigns Anissa Starnes, IOM. I am talking to her today about different facets of Volunteer Development and why it is important for organiz...

This is IOM, the flag ship podcast of recording the intro and outro outdoors. Seriously, if you have the chance to go outside, take it. Im your friend, Nathan Graham, Associate Manager for Institute. This podcast is a window into what makes Institute possible. Today, we have an amazing conversation over Workforce Development. For this discussion, I have brought in our top notch volunteers. Christi...