There are a lot of talented and reputable professionals in Lincoln—so how do you stand out? The answer is getting involved. Find an organization or association that matches your interests and passions. Your commitment to your industry and/or community will shine through and set you apart. With a busy career and social life, we can’t get involved with all the organizations we might be interested in. You have to think about your objectives in terms of how your service helps fulfill your own personal and professional development goals, your own or your employer’s desire to bring in and keep business, and the kind of impact you want to make.
Twice a year, in March and September, Strictly Business puts together a Joining Organizations feature. We want to make sure that these organizations have a chance to get their name out there and share their current efforts, membership benefits, partnership opportunities, etc. Strictly Business is directly mailed to over 15,000 businesses in Lincoln every month and we share all our content online, so we feel that we have a responsibility to provide our readers with relevant information about what’s happening in and around Lincoln.
Community organizations contribute to the fabric of our economy by bringing industry leaders together, offering education and resources to their members, and partnering with other local entities to implement positive change in our area. 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.
Here at Strictly Business, we stand behind the hard-working organizations that continuously better Lincoln and its occupants. We do this by offering discounted rates to these organizations so they can highlight their upcoming events and meetings, accomplishments, awards, members, staff, and opportunities for involvement. There are organizations and associations representative of nearly every profession, industry, or special interest group, and many have national, regional, state, and/or local chapters who would love to have you as a member.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with 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 workplace. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get involved!
To be a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (LCOC) 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) 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. 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 Mia Wilken at mwilken@lcoc.com or call (402) 436-2355.
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Nebraska and South Dakota Chapter supports the commercial construction industry through apprenticeship and safety training, advocacy, and work force 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.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) 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).
Lincoln Human Resource Management Association (LHRMA) 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.
SCORE Lincoln needs YOU!
If you want to make a lasting impact in your small business community, SCORE is the place to do that.
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.
Small business owners receiving three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth. SCORE is America’s premier source of free, confidential business advice. 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.
Take the step to become a SCORE volunteer mentor. Visit lincoln.score.org to sign up. Want more info? Email infolincoln@scorevolunteer.org, or call (531) 225-6451 to learn more about SCORE Lincoln.
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 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 73-year old association.
Leadership Lincoln develops leaders.
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.
The National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) is a resource for women in the construction industry and offers its members education, suppor t, and networking to help advance their careers in construction, build their technical skills, and become leaders. NAWIC Chapter #116 includes Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding areas. Events are on the second Thursday of each month in various locations in the Omaha area. Guests are welcome.
NAWIC hosts a variety of events that serve the community, provides scholarships to men and women pursuing careers in the construction industry via a college education or tradeapprenticeship program, hosts educational Lunch-and-Learns for members, and more. NAWIC Chapter #116 was first chartered in 1966 and has 60+ members working in businesses whose primary focus is construction. For more information, visit www.nawicomaha.com or email nawicomaha@gmail.com to request information.
Rotary 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.
Rotary’s upcoming events include the March Madness Bracket Challenge on March 24, the Annual Poker Tournament on April 11, and the Kentucky Derby Fundraiser on May 6. All events are free and open to the public!
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. 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.
At Professional Networking Group (PNG), 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.
The Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) 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.