Community organizations shape Lincoln—they 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. In terms of making connections in the community, professional organizations and local trade associations provide an environment rich with potential. By tapping into a network like this, in your industry or otherwise, you have access to a wealth of knowledge, referrals, helpful tips, potential job opportunities, a built-in support system, and so much more.
With a variety of community organizations in Lincoln, it can be difficult to know which one(s) to join or get involved in. This is why, twice a year, Strictly Business puts together this Joining
Organizations feature. We want to make sure that all organizations have a chance to get their name out there and share their current efforts, membership benefits, partnership opportunities, etc. with all our readers. The organizations highlighted in this feature have taken advantage of this opportunity to promote what membership or a partnership with them looks like. We encourage any of our readers who are looking for ways to grow their business or professional network, make a difference in the community, and gain valuable experience outside of the work place, to read through the descriptions of the following organizations to find out if one or more of them would be a good fit.
Membership and participation in a professional organization or associations is one of the best investments of time and/or money a business person can make. If you’re an employer, you’ll reap all of the same rewards from supporting your employees to participate in professional organizations and encouraging those who are interested to do so as well. Regardless of your goal for joining a group like the ones highlighted in this feature, becoming involved in any organization is about developing meaningful relationships from which you will learn and hopefully grow your business.
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 or call (800) 649-6814.
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.
The National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC, www.nawicomaha.com) is a resource for women in the construction industry and offers its members education, support, 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 trade-apprenticeship 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.
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. And 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.
Lincoln SCORE (lincoln.score.org) wants YOU! Every year, SCORE volunteers help thousands of entrepreneurs start small businesses and achieve new levels of success in their existing businesses. Volunteering at SCORE is a way for you to give back to your community, connect with fellow business owners, and pass on your knowledge and expertise to the next generation of entrepreneurs in your community.
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.
Please give back to the community and join the Lincoln SCORE volunteer team. You can make a difference in the success of a new business and HELP MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE! Take the next step in becoming a volunteer SCORE business mentor. Please visit lincoln.score.org, email infolincoln@scorevolunteer.org, or call (402) 437-2409 to learn more about Lincoln SCORE.
Women in Sales & Business (WISB, wisblincoln.org) has a mission to encourage and develop the creative leadership of women. They are dedicated to promoting their growth through the accumulation and sharing of knowledge. They are women in various professions who meet regularly monthly for networking, engaging speakers, and leadership development opportunities. They also meet occasionally in a casual environment to get to know each other better, on a more personal level, and invite guests to join them. Please visit wisblincoln.org for more information or find WISB on Facebook!
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 650 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 71-year old association.
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 sales people to your team.
- PNG donates both time and goods back to the Lincoln community each year including over $1,600 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 Young Professionals Group (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, call Kayla Meyer at (402) 436-2369 or email at kaylameyer@lcoc.com. For more information, please visit www.lincolnypg.com.
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 always welcome to attend a meeting as a guest. To learn more, visit www.givingspirtseveningrotary.com.
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC, www.abcnebraska.org) Cornhusker 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, 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 Cornhusker Chapter, contact Anne Klute at (402) 477-4451 or annek@abcnebraska.org. Please visit the website at www.abcnebraska.org to learn more.
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 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 Courtney Lyons at courtney@housingdevelopers.org.
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.