Twice a year, in March and September, Strictly Business features a Joining Organizations section to spotlight local groups and provide them an opportunity to share their work, membership benefits, partnership opportunities, and other important community updates.
Community organizations play a huge role in strengthening our local economy. They bring industry leaders together, provide education and resources to members, and collaborate with other local entities to drive positive change. Across Lincoln, countless dedicated groups of like-minded individuals are committed to making a difference in their professional, cultural, and social communities. Joining these organizations often results in new relationships that lead to both personal and professional growth.
At Strictly Business, we’re proud to support the efforts of organizations that make Lincoln stronger. We offer discounted rates so they can highlight upcoming events, meetings, achievements, awards, staff, members, and opportunities for involvement. Lincoln is home to organizations representing nearly every profession and industry, many with local, state, regional, and national chapters eager to welcome new members.
With so many talented professionals in Lincoln, standing out can be a challenge. One of the most effective ways to gain visibility and build a strong reputation is through active involvement. By finding an organization aligned with your interests, passions, and goals, your dedication to excellence will shine, setting you and your business apart in the community.
Leadership Lincoln (leadershiplincoln.org) is at the forefront of building tomorrow’s community leaders.
Leadership Lincoln classes have begun giving participants a nine-month immersive experience, aligning with the academic year. In its 41st year, this program connects members with prominent figures across Lincoln’s business, education, government and nonprofit landscapes, empowering them to take an active role in their community.
In addition to the core leadership program, Leadership Lincoln presents regular public “Hot Topics” sessions. These forums provide valuable insights into pertinent issues, from candidate selection to pandemic management, healthcare inequalities, low-income housing, park development and more.
Standout features of the program include the Poverty Simulation exercise and a community building activity giving participants a unique experience that reveals the intricate challenges of living in poverty and helping a community grow.
Leadership Lincoln is not just an organization; it’s a thriving network. With over 4,000 alumni actively enhancing their communities locally, statewide and nationally, Leadership Lincoln continues to shape the future.
Discover how you can be a part of this transformative journey. Visit (leadershiplincoln.org) for more details.
The Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL) (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 over 500 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 74-year old association.
The Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL) 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 over 500 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 (hbal.org) for a membership application and to see the many services of this 74-year old association.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) (bbb.org) 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 the 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 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 (@BBBMidwestPlains)
SCORE Lincoln (score.org/lincoln) has openings for volunteers. If you want to make a lasting impact in your business community, then SCORE may be for you. Statistics show that entrepreneurs that work with SCORE mentors start businesses, create jobs and increase revenue. Volunteering with SCORE will make a measurable impact on our local community and – more importantly – someone’s life.
Most SCORE mentors own or have owned and operated their own companies or served in management positions. They understand business challenges because they’ve faced them too.
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.
SCORE is America’s premier source of free, confidential business advice.
Take the step to become a SCORE volunteer mentor, and visit (lincoln.score.org) to sign up. Want more info? Email infolincoln@scorevolunteer.org or call (402) 870-1821 to learn more about SCORE Lincoln.
To be a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (LCOC) (lcoc.com) member is to be a partner in growing the Lincoln community. The Chamber honors that partnership by creating opportunities for growth and development, while advocating for the best environment for Lincoln businesses to thrive in. 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 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 their website at (lcoc.com).
The Lincoln Young Professionals Group (Lincoln YPG) (lincolnypg.com) is dedicated to empowering young professionals with educational, leadership and networking opportunities. Lincoln keeps its young professionals here by fostering a collaborative community enriched with a bolstering economy, connectivity and endless opportunities. Lincoln YPG 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 (lincolnypg.com), email Mia Wilken at mwilken@lcoc.com or call (402) 436-2355.
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, and one Omaha group, bi-weekly meetings, quarterly socials (all groups are invited to an evening networking with a guest) and donations back to the community, 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 $5.2K last year.
• 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.
If you’re a business owner in Lincoln, Nebraska, joining the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) (liba.org) is one of the smartest moves you can make. With more than 700 member businesses and 1,000 professionals, LIBA is a powerful network dedicated to promoting local enterprise, advocating for pro-growth policies and creating meaningful connections across the community.
LIBA offers more than just networking—they are Lincoln’s voice for small businesses – YOUR voice. You benefit from LIBA’s active involvement in public policy, ensuring that business-friendly decisions are made at city and county levels. Whether working against excessive government oversight, promoting transparency within government or supporting projects that drive growth, LIBA is there to represent your interests.
As a member, you gain access to exclusive events such as luncheons, ribbon cuttings, networking and educational webinars. You can also be involved with one of LIBA’s seven committees, giving you a direct role in shaping the organization’s priorities and actions.
LIBA’s tiered membership options—from individual to legacy levels—offer scalable benefits including advertising discounts, promotional opportunities and enhanced visibility in the LIBA directory. Plus, members receive weekly updates on local policies, events and opportunities to grow their business.
Joining LIBA means aligning with a legacy of leadership, advocacy and community impact. Yes, they are about growing your business, but they’re also focused on growing Lincoln. Become part of a dynamic organization that empowers entrepreneurs and strengthens the local economy. Join LIBA today—because it’s your business, your community and your future
Call 402-466-3419 or visit (liba.org) to learn more and join.
Lincoln HR (lincolnhr.org) strives to be a first-class resource on people management for the community. Lincoln HR 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
• Collaboration of HR information
• Monthly newsletter resources
• Membership directory
• Professional certification study groups
• Legislative updates
• Community and diversity programs
For more information or to register for a meeting, visit (lincolnhr.org).
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry (nechamber.com) is the voice for business in Nebraska. As the state’s largest, broad-based business association, they represent main street businesses and corporate leaders alike. The NE Chamber is made up of companies that hire local people, invest in community growth and keep Nebraska competitive.
Businesses choose Nebraska because of its strong quality of life, skilled and hardworking workforce and low cost of living, just to name a few. The NE Chamber works to promote and protect Nebraska’s free enterprise system by ensuring a competitive business climate, economic growth and greater prosperity for all Nebraskans.
They are a trusted partner to their members, delivering practical solutions on workforce and market growth while addressing the tax, legislative and regulatory challenges of owning and growing a modern business. Through advocacy, resources and a statewide network of peers, they help businesses succeed and communities thrive. Strong Business. Strong Community. That’s an NE
Chamber promise. If you’re ready to connect, amplify your voice and help shape Nebraska’s future, join the NE Chamber today by contacting rquerry@nechamber.com.
In 1887, this group of men started a rich history of serving the people of Lincoln, Lancaster County and Nebraska. In the early 1930’s, they renamed themselves The Sowers Club of Lincoln (thesowersclub.com) after the bronze statue on Nebraska’s state capitol. For a group dedicated to sowing the seeds of economic development within Nebraska, the name fit.
Today, the Sowers Club organization, comprised of its Club and Foundation, gives back to Nebraska communities through promoting business in Lincoln and surrounding communities, issuing grants focused on children and family growth and safety, awarding scholarships for secondary and post-secondary education, participating in community projects and encouraging each other through networking opportunities and activities. The Sowers, with a goal of becoming one of Lincoln’s largest philanthropic organizations, has donated over $3.5 million since 1989 to over 300 non-profits.
Some past notable Sower Club members have included Nebraska State Senator John DeCamp, Coach Bob Devaney, Nebraska Attorney General Paul Douglas, Nebraska Governor Jim Exon, Cartoonist Paul Fell and Lancaster County Sheriff Merle Karnopp, as well as Lincoln businessmen Ollie Christensen (Christensen’s Appliance), Charles Lawlor (Lawlor’s Sporting Goods), Ray Masters (Molex), Bob Milton (Misty’s) and J.C. Seacrest (Lincoln Journal).
If you’d like to give back to a community that gives so much to you, consider joining the Sowers. For more information, email them at info@thesowersclub.com, or call (402) 438-2244.
The Elite Referral Network (elitereferralnetwork.com) Revolutionizes Business Networking in Lincoln
Elite Referral Network is changing the way professionals connect, grow, and give back to their community. As Lincoln’s only network of referral groups dedicated to both member business growth and community impact, we offer a fresh, results-driven approach to networking.
Our members enjoy month-to-month flexibility and see their membership dollars reinvested directly into the group they are a member of. These group funds can support a designated nonprofit member, creating a tangible difference in our community while fostering meaningful connections among business professionals and nonprofit organizations.
Our friendly, professional environments focus on high-quality referrals, valuable leads, and educational opportunities designed to help members build lasting relationships and become better business owners.
In our network Presidents are paid for their leadership, ensuring engaged, motivated group guidance, and members benefit from an authentic, collaborative culture.
You can find a list of our groups on our website: (elitereferralnetwork.com/groups). Start your membership by contacting the group President of the meeting you want to attend. Then visit their meeting. Each President chooses the members in their group, so visiting their meeting is the first step toward membership in the fastest growing network in Lincoln. We have grown to over 200 members in our first 2 years in business and we are looking for quality professionals to join our network and help us expand into other cities.
Join us in shaping a new era of networking in Nebraska!