Rita Berry, President/CEO of the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, recently completed an intensive week-long nonprofit leadership training program held June 22-26, 2008, at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.

The industry leader in nonprofit education, the Institute for Organization Management is a four-year program held at five sites each year- one in the winter and four in the summer. 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. Through a combination of required courses and electives, students not only enhance their own organizational management skills but add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Graduates of Institute receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in association, chamber, and nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn points toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) designations.

Berry also serves on the Board of Directors for the Carolina Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives; and is a member of the Vision Council for Trident United Way and several committees of the Berkeley/Charleston/Dorchester Council of Government.