In Lincoln, there are so many dedicated, passionate groups of like-minded individuals who are all committed to making a difference in their professional, cultural, and social communities. Joining these groups often results in forming new relationships that, in turn, lead to personal and professional growth and success. Find an organization that matches your interests and passions. Your commitment to your industry and/or community will shine through and set you apart. Professional organizations bring industry leaders together, offering education and resources to their members, and partnering with other local entities to implement positive change in our area. Check out the following organizations if you are looking for ways to grow your business or professional network, make a difference in the community, and gain valuable experience outside of the work place.
Leadership Lincoln (www.leadershiplincoln.org) develops leaders. The organization launched its 38th year of leadership and civic engagement programming with the 26th Youth Leadership Lincoln class retreat August 14-15, 2022. LL Advocates, Executives, and Fellows cohorts launch their sessions in September.
Leadership Lincoln is open to all members of the Lincoln community. Applications begin in the Spring and classes begin in August and September. Each cohort meets monthly for nine months (roughly corresponding with the school year) to learn how to get engaged in Lincoln and to meet leaders from across our business, school, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Leadership Lincoln also hosts monthly public “Hot Topics” sessions such as candidate forums, pandemic response, health care disparities, low-income housing, parks development, and other topics of interest.
Leadership Lincoln supports a Poverty Simulation exercise that shows participants the challenging nature of navigating poverty.
More than 3,800 Leadership Lincoln alumni are making their communities better across the city, state, and country.
More information about Leadership Lincoln is available at www.leadershiplincoln.org.
At Professional Networking Group (PNG, pnglincoln.com), they are all about relationships. It’s the bread and butter to making a business successful. Through PNG’s five Lincoln groups, bi-weekly meetings, quarterly socials (all groups are invited to an evening networking with a guest), and donations back to the community of Lincoln, they’re constantly working to network and build relationships with the best and the brightest around town.
Join this networking community and watch how you can impact the bottom line on your business like never before. If the thought of creating a new network makes you a little nervous, take a look at why you should take the plunge.
- Each group averages over one referral per person per meeting. That equates to over 1,600 referrals per year.
- Every year, each group refers over SIX FIGURES worth of business.
- Automatically add 18–25 salespeople to your team.
- PNG donates both time and goods back to the Lincoln community each year including over $1.6K to the Food Bank this past holiday season.
- The membership cost of $250 is less than half of competitors’ costs.
- The group culture actually allows you to laugh and have fun as you are doing business, all without the use of a stopwatch.
For more information, please visit pnglincoln.com.
To be a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (www.LCOC.com) member is to be a partner. The Chamber honors that partnership by creating opportunities for growth and development, while advocating for the best environment for Lincoln businesses to thrive. They understand each member has unique ideas and ambitions in mind, and they are here to provide the best opportunities for you to get the most out of your membership.
To find out more about how to get your business engaged, contact Derek Feyerherm at (402) 434-5344 or via email at dfeyerherm@lincoln.org. For more information about the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, visit the website at www.LCOC.com.
The Lincoln Young Professionals Group (Lincoln YPG, www.lincolnypg.com) is dedicated to empowering young professionals with educational, leadership, and networking opportunities. Serving 2,000+ members, the Lincoln YPG is the largest in the state. Lincoln keeps its young professionals here by fostering a collaborative community enriched with a bolstering economy, connectivity, and endless opportunities. The Lincoln Young Professionals Group believes members can make the difference they want to see, develop a career that is pleasing to them, and grow into the professional that they want to be.
To learn more about Lincoln YPG, please visit www.lincolnypg.com, email info@lincolnypg.com or call (402) 436-2350.
The Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL, www.hbal.org) is a visible, effective, and respected trade association which promotes home building through professional education, member communication, and civic participation, and which represents builders and associated professionals in community, governmental, and industry forums. With almost 550 members, HBAL proudly promotes the Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show, Spring & Fall Parade of Homes, and Tour of Remodeled Homes. These events not only benefit the members, but also the public. HBAL offers networking, education, and training to its members, along with representing the industry at Local and State levels of government.
To learn more about joining the Home Builders Association of Lincoln, go to www.hbal.org for a membership application and to see the many services of this 72-year old association.
The Nebraska Housing Developers Association (www.housingdevelopers.org) has over 70 members across the state committed to the development and availability of affordable housing for all Nebraskans. We offer a wide range of services, including offering assistance and support to affordable housing developers, coordinating statewide renter and homebuyer education programs, providing homebuyer and homeowner assistance programs, and advocating for policies that support the development and maintenance of affordable housing. Our members include nonprofit and forprofit developers, nonprofits that provide housing services, housing authorities, government agencies, economic development organizations, and many others. We believe that affordable housing builds strong communities and strengthens the state’s economic vitality.
Join today to become part of a network of housing professionals working together to make affordable housing available across the state. If you are interested in becoming a member, visit our website at www.housingdevelopers.org or contact our Executive Director Amber Marker at amber@housingdevelopers.org.
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC, abcnesd.org) Nebraska and South Dakota Chapter supports the commercial construction industry through apprenticeship and safety training, advocacy, and workforce development. In addition, they offer opportunities for networking, and their Excellence in Construction Awards allow them to showcase members’ project successes. The organization helps their members and their members’ employees with the opportunity to succeed, by winning work, and delivering that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. ABC strives to be the leading voice for free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy of construction in Nebraska. They offer apprenticeship training through the NCCER Curriculum, continuing education, and leadership courses, not only to members, but also to anyone wishing to enter the construction industry for a bountiful career. For information about ABC Nebraska and South Dakota, contact Anne Klute at (402) 477-4451 or annek@abcnesd.org. Please visit the website at abcnesd.org to learn more.
The Organization (@TheOrganizationVIP) is Lincoln’s premier business mastermind, education, and networking group. They are dedicated to making you as an owner and your business better. They do this by both putting nationally recognized speakers from a wide array of different business topics in front of their members once a month and utilizing local experts to lead their twice-a-month meetings of business owners and high-performance sales professionals in a mastermind and educational format.
As part of The Organization’s mission to improve every member, they also have the opportunity to be included in national-level events across the country that members are encouraged to attend. Members are usually given access to these events at much reduced rates due to The Organization’s participation with various highly recognized national groups.
Your network builds your net worth—let The Organization use their network to expand your horizons and grow your business. Learn more by contacting Jethro Hopkins at (402) 217-2833 / nxtlvorganization@gmail.com or check out the Facebook page (@TheOrganizationVIP).
Better Business Bureau (BBB, BBB.org/nebraska) has been assisting U.S. consumers and businesses since 1912. It is a private, nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Nearly 400,000 BBB Accredited Businesses support BBB’s mission of advancing marketplace trust, and their dues and contributions allow BBB to offer its information and services to consumers at no charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, over 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting the marketplace.
People today are overwhelmed with choices—and often unsure about where to find verified, unbiased information. There are more than 32 million businesses in North America alone, and hundreds of thousands of sites around the world where people shop online. Also, thousands of free and subscription websites offer a range of information including reviews, reports, directories, listings, and gripe sites. BBB is the resource where you can find trusted, verified information. Go to BBB.org/nebraska, call (800) 649-6814 and follow on social media (@BBBOmaha).
SCORE Lincoln (lincoln.score.org) needs YOU! Every year, SCORE volunteers help thousands of entrepreneurs start small businesses and achieve new levels of success in their existing businesses. Volunteer with SCORE and give back to your community, connect with fellow business owners, and pass on your knowledge and expertise to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Did you know? Small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth, and SCORE is America’s premier source of free, confidential business advice. Most SCORE mentors have owned and operated their own companies or served in management positions. They understand business challenges because they’ve faced them too.
You can make a difference in the success of a new business and HELP MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE! All in a few hours a month (or as much time as you can spare). Take the next step in becoming a volunteer SCORE business mentor and visit lincoln.score.org to sign up. Want a little more info? Email infolincoln@scorevolunteer.org, or call (402) 437-2409 to learn more about SCORE Lincoln.
The Lincoln chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA Lincoln, amalincoln.org/join-now) was founded nearly 40 years ago—and it’s still going strong today. If you’re a marketer, advertiser, business owner, or professional in the Lincoln community, you’ll want to keep tabs on this organization.
AMA Lincoln leads professional training, networking, and development events throughout the year. Their monthly Signature Speaker Series is open to the community and features guest presenters who share successes, insights, and best practices. At the annual Prism Awards, AMA Lincoln recognizes the community’s best marketing.
Membership in AMA Lincoln includes discounts for events, professional certifications, and national conferences. Plus, you get access to articles, resources, and marketing toolkits you can use in your day-to-day work. You’ll even get free admission to AMA Lincoln SkillSchool events (three-hour sessions led by experts that dive in deep on a specific subject). To learn more, visit amalincoln.org/join-now.
The Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA, www.liba.org) offers numerous opportunities to network with other Lincoln business leaders. LIBA’s monthly BizNet events are free to attend with complimentary snacks and beverages. This provides a great place to meet other local business people and City Council members. Many of the people who attend BizNet are eager businessmen and women who are ready to learn more about your business. Because it is a free event, you can invite customers or vendors to attend and give them a chance to grow their businesses as well. While BizNet is an after-hours event, LIBA also has a morning “Coffee & Contacts” every month that is sponsored by Custom Blinds & Design. Also free to attend, this event has breakfast snacks and coffee. With this event being early in the morning, it is a wonderful way to start off your day by networking and exchanging business cards. Lastly, the monthly LIBA luncheon is where you have the chance to have lunch with hundreds of business and community leaders every month. While this event isn’t free, it is only $20, which includes admission, the chance to listen to the monthly speaker, and a delicious lunch.
Call (402) 466-3419 and ask about joining LIBA. A membership staff would be happy to visit your office and answer all of your questions. You can also visit www.liba.org for more information.
Rotary (www.givingspirtseveningrotary.com) brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at local and international levels.
Locally, members of Lincoln Giving Spirits Evening Rotary Club are dedicated people who share a passion for both community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group of professionals who share your drive to give back.
Lincoln Giving Spirits Evening Rotary Club’s meetings occur every other week on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at JCMF Children’s Charities, 8445 Executive Woods Dr., STE B. Meetings feature a new speaker on topics of interest to Rotarians, the town, and general subjects. Rotary strives to provide an excellent program to keep members informed and enlightened on the world. The club accepts new members by invitation, but anyone is welcome to attend a meeting as a guest. To learn more, visit www.givingspirtseveningrotary.com.
Lincoln Human Resource Management Association (LHRMA, www.lincolnhr.org) strives to be a first-class resource on people management for the community. LHRMA connects professionals to solve every day workforce problems, provides quality education, collaborates with community leaders, and leads change for our industry. The organization comprises a large network of human resources professionals ranging from senior level executives to those just entering the profession and welcomes new members monthly.
Benefits to membership include:
- Monthly meetings with learning events and professional speakers
- Professional networking events
- Career development
- Collaboration of HR information
- Monthly newsletter resources
- Membership directory
- Professional certification study groups
- Legislative updates
- Scholarship programs
- Community and diversity programs…just to name a few.
For more information or to register for a meeting, visit www.lincolnhr.org.