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A PROGRAM OF THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
 

IOM Blog

May 29, 2013

Doesn`t Anyone Want to Grow Up to Lead an Association?

Recently, we attended the first of many graduation ceremonies this summer. It involved elevating 19 four-year-olds to kindergarten and involved songs, squirming children on stage, caps and tassels, and proud family members.

As the graduates’ names were announced and given a diploma, the teacher shared what each student wanted to be when he or she grew up. As I recall, there were a couple of doctors, three police officers, two moms, and a cowgirl.

Yes, the cowgirl was my niece. I leaned over to my sister — and half-chiding — asked what the employment outlook was for a cowgirl in the far west suburbs of Chicago.

Later there was a discussion about doing what we enjoy as a career versus fitting a mold. Chasing our dreams was important and more preferred than chasing a paycheck. Happiness is where we make it.

I don’t know what Maddi will do when she is older. There may be a need for a cowgirl. She may change her mind.

I am fortunate, however, to know so many association and chamber professionals who do enjoy their career. I doubt any of them would have expressed their interest in pursuing this career path when they were entering kindergarten. I know I didn’t.

I am fortunate, however, that I did wind up here. I am empowered to collaborate with my peers to build our profession. I enjoy working with other community leaders to shape my community’s future. I am energized when working with students, encouraging them to value their education and personal development. In doing so, I continue to learn from my peers and to grow myself.

It is our responsibility to make sure that we are preparing our organizations and communities for the future. It is not a role we take lightly. Your dedication to the profession is inspiring – whether an entry level role in a local chamber to the executive in a national association.

By the way, not one of the 19 stated he or she wanted to be a chamber or association professional. But maybe we can change that. There were, however, five or six that wanted to be princesses. At least Maddi picked a career with less competition.

 

      
Avatar photo
Joseph B. Henning, IOM, CAE
President & CEO
Henry County (GA) Chamber of Commerce

Joseph Henning, IOM, CAE, has served as president and chief executive officer of the Henry County (GA) Chamber of Commerce since 2019. Prior to that, he served 14 years as president and CEO of the Aurora Regional (IL) Chamber of Commerce. Within three years of joining the Henry County Chamber, he successfully led them to receive the ACCE’s 2022 Chamber of the Year. Henning is a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Institute for Organization Management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree focusing on organizational development from Northern Illinois University as well as a certificate in not-for-profit management from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

He has served as chair of IOM’s Midwest Board of Regents in 2012 and 2013. In 2017, he served as chair of the national Board of Trustees for the program and continues to serve as a faculty member. He has taught on collaboration, industry forecast, strong chambers for the future, and marketing and membership.

In 2007, the Aurora Chamber received its first accreditation through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with four-star distinction. In 2012 and 2017, he led the re-accreditation efforts and successfully achieved consecutive five-star distinction. In 2015, the Chamber received Chamber of the Year from the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives as well as three-star Chamber of Valor by Hiring Our Heroes/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

In 2012, Henning successfully sat for and received his Certified Association Executive designation from ASAE. In 2014, he was named Chamber Executive of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Comments

  1. Nikki says

    June 1, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Had Maddi's mother known the question was to be broadcast at her graduation, she would have prompted Maddi with a career that would pay better than a cowgirl.  I am concerned with the marketability of the profession choice; however I do want her to be happy.  As her mother, I also want her to be independent and able to pay her own bills.  My 8th grade students–yes, I chose a career to make me happy, not pay the bills–take surveys to show them a myriad of career choices available to them and their nirvana. Perhaps chamber or association professional can be a write-in under the categories of skilled service or marketing/management or best uncle ever.

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