Joining Organizations in Omaha, Nebraska – 2016
Omaha is home to a thriving business community, and in support of the growth of the professionals who keep us continuously moving forward, there are many fantastic local organizations that are an important part of the process.
Among the key benefits of membership in a professional organization are access to career resources and educational opportunities, mentorship, meeting new people and expanding your network of contacts, and the opportunity for community involvement and outreach as a part of a larger group initiative.
What do these benefits all have in common?
The answer is making valuable connections. Connections are essential to success in any industry, and joining a local organization is not only a way to unite with like-minded individuals but also to foster relationships with those in similar industries, or in many cases, across several inter-connected industries. This provides critical access to potential customers and employees but also creates an environment that’s rich with referrals, giving you trusted sources to do business with and vice versa. Think of it as a major career catalyst, with many parts working together to move everyone involved forward.
“Participation in a professional organization is hands-down one of the best investments to make in your future”
Fostering development and engagement on both a personal and professional level in addition to building mutually beneficial business relationships, there’s no doubt that participation in at least one professional organization will leave you in a better place than where you were when you arrived. Omaha in particular has a wealth of fantastic organizations so take your pick, because you’re guaranteed to find the right fit for your goals and area(s) of focus. Nearly every profession, interest area, or cause has a corresponding national, state, regional or local organization one could join.
Getting involved with a local organization shouldn’t merely be a bullet point on your resume. In the vein of you reap what you sow, this is the perfect example of putting in the effort to be a part of a group of professionals in our community, contributing your time and talents to the whole, and enjoying the plentiful return on that investment.
Above all, being involved in an organization is about developing meaningful relationships and being exposed to opportunities and events from which you will learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Membership and participation in a professional organization is hands-down one of the best investments to make in your future. Furthermore, if you’re an employer, you’ll reap all of the same rewards from supporting your employees who participate in professional organizations and encouraging those who are interested to do so as well.
It’s never too early or too late to get involved, but before you leap headfirst into making a commitment, first identify your objectives, do your research and ask for recommendations. If you’re looking to join a professional organization, we’ve highlighted some wonderful ones right here in our community that are currently welcoming new members and would love to have you!
For Your Business. For Our Community.
We’re ‘All In.’
We Connect.
Bringing people together to create meaningful relationships and expand your professional network.
We Grow.
From Fortune 500’s to the neighborhood mom & pop – count on us to be a steady ally in growing your business and our community.
We Develop.
Offering educational opportunities to develop our region’s workforce and prepare future business and civic leaders.
We Ignite Change.
Rallying together to foster a strong business climate and propel our community forward.
The Greater Omaha Chamber.
Championing a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.
Be “All In” with Us.
(402) 346-5000
membership@OmahaChamber.org
OmahaChamber.org/Join
BNI of the Heartland (www.bniheartland.com) (Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Western Iowa) offers members the opportunity to build a firm networking foundation, to nurture referral partner(s). Last year alone BNI, with over 191,000 members, in more than 7,300 chapters throughout every populated continent of the world – 68 countries, generated more than 6.9 million referrals which resulted in over $9.3 billion dollars of tracked business for our members. Cumulatively, since 1985, BNI has generated over $45.6 Billion dollars in tracked business for our membership!
Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of sales people working for you that carry your information with them, and when they meet someone who could use your products or services, they recommend you.
BNI provides a structured, supportive system of giving and receiving business. It does so by providing an environment during breakfast, lunch and happy hour meetings in which you develop personal relationships with other qualified business professionals. By establishing this “formal” relationship with other people, you will have the opportunity to substantially increase your business.
For more information about BNI of the Heartland please contact our regional office at (402) 880-6311, email info@bniheartland.com or visit our website, www.bniheartland.com.
The Rotary Club of Omaha (Downtown Rotary; www.omaharotary.org) is a place where new and emerging leaders meet and interact one-on-one with established leaders in our community. Our Club has been here for over a century, but our mission has always been the same: Leaders in our community working together to put service above self. We do this by:
• Weekly Speakers – dynamic, relevant and informative
• Operation Hippocrates – we arrange for Omaha cardiac surgeons and hospitals to provide heart surgery and follow-up medical care for children in Belize
• Outland Trophy – we co-sponsor the annual Outland Trophy award dinner for college football’s outstanding lineman
• Community Service – we offer numerous opportunities for community service
• People with Disabilities – we support projects for the disabled and we sponsor J.P. Lord School in the “Adopt a School Program”
For more information about Downtown Rotary visit our website, www.omaharotary.org, email info@omaharotary.org or call (402) 342-0281.
Have you ever been to a work event with someone who seems to know everyone in the room? Did you wonder how they know everyone? I bet if you were to ask them they would tell you they are members of a chamber of commerce. You might wonder what the connection is…
Well the connection is the chamber of commerce.
The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce (www.sarpychamber.org) is here to help you grow and enhance your network of business connections. We offer multiple opportunities every month for you to network with other chamber members. This is important because they like you are invested in growing their business opportunities. This gives you a head start in that you have a common purpose with everyone in the room. That common purpose is the foundation of a strong and active business community. Being a part of a chamber community will enhance your business opportunities which will ultimately help your business growth.
Attending multiple networking events can seem overwhelming with the busy schedules that we are all trying to maintain these days, but the payoff is becoming that person who knows everyone in the room. Imagine for a second you had as many contacts and connections as that person who knows everyone in the room, just think of the ways your business could grow through those connections. Contact us at the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce or visit us online at www.sarpychamber.org to find out how to become connected to your business community.
The Nebraska Chapter of the Association for Talent Development (ATD Nebraska; www.atdnebraska.org) is an organization dedicated to today’s workplace learning and performance (WLP) professionals. If the person who trained you at your job was exceptionally good at facilitating your learning, he or she might be an ATD member.
ATD Nebraska is a local chapter of ATD, the world’s largest association dedicated to WLP professionals. Our mission is to “enhance members’ abilities to develop talent, and support clients and organizations and our local global communities.” We provide our 250+ members with quality resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education.
If you are a WLP professional—perhaps you call yourself a corporate trainer, a mentor, or a coach—we can help you take your career to the next level. Visit www.atdnebraska.org to find out more.
The Nebraska Restaurant Association (www.nebraska-dining.org) acts as the principal advocate for Nebraska’s hospitality industry and promotes the qualities of strength, unity, and excellence in and of its membership. The association is dedicated to serving Nebraska’s restaurant and retail beverage industries by providing comprehensive industry education, proactive representation, aggressive industry promotion and the highest quality member benefits.
Membership is a small investment with big rewards in the health of your business and the entire food service industry. It’s a big world out there and we will do all we can to make it a bit smaller! For membership information and the Nebraska Restaurant Association contact Brandy Nielson at bnielson@nebraska-dining.org or (402) 488-3999.
We are on the web at www.nebraska-dining.org or facebook.com/NebraskaRestaurantAssociation.
“We build leadership, strengthen organizations, and elevate Greater Omaha through positive, practical, business ethics.” Along with our mission, the Business Ethics Alliance (businessethicsalliance.org) is committed to illuminating Greater Omaha as a beacon for business ethics by furthering the level of ethics dialogue, education, and research within our community. As a non-membership, non-profit organization, we invite individuals of all ranks from small to large employers and associations to align with us. Attend our signature events, hire us to enhance your business, become involved in our ethics research–no matter what industry. Learn more at www.businessethicsalliance.org.
The Nebraska Alumni Association (www.huskeralum.org)connects alumni and friends with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and with each other, for the advancement of UNL. Our family includes more than 25,000 members of all ages, professions and walks of life from around the world. Some are UNL graduates; some are not. But one thing unites them – their love for the university. Please consider becoming a member! Your support, combined with the collective support of our membership, will help strengthen UNL. And, you will have access to a vast network of fellow Huskers no matter where you live, work or travel. Plus, you will love our exclusive membership benefits including our quarterly magazine, career and professional development programs, nationwide discount program and access to athletic, arts and entertainment tickets. Learn more and join us at huskeralum.org/join.
The Cornhusker Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (www.abcnebraska.org) is in business to promote free enterprise within the construction industry and to serve as an advocate for merit shops throughout Nebraska. The organization’s main purpose is to provide member companies and their employees with an opportunity to succeed.
Whether a large or small company, joining ABC provides value by helping members win work and deliver it safely. ABC also offers training, continuing education courses and opportunities for networking and showcasing project successes.
For more information or to discuss joining ABC Cornhusker Chapter, contact Ann Klute at (402) 477-4451 or annek@abcnebraska.org. You can also visit www.abcnebraska.org to find out more.
The Millard Business Association (MBA; www.MillardBusinessAssociation.org) was established in 2003, and today there are over 400 members. Joining this networking organization is great way to GROW Your Business. Members do not need to reside in Millard. The basic requirement is doing business or wanting to do business in the Millard area. Membership is only $120.00 per year. Some of the benefits include:
• Networking Lunches
• Bagels & Business Meetings
• Business After Hours Meetings
• Ribbon Cuttings
• Education Programs
• Access to 9 Referral Groups for Marketing Opportunities
• Listing on the MBA Website
• Listing in the MBA Directory (34,000 Copies Printed Yearly)
Apply for membership at www.MillardBusinessAssociation.org.
For more information, contact the MBA Membership Chair Angie Fiedler at angief@afbookkeeping.com.
The League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha (LWVGO; www.omahalwv.org) is a grassroots organization of women and men encouraging informed and active participation in government through better understanding of public policy issues. We work to influence policy through education and advocacy. The League does not endorse political parties or candidates but does take positions on issues after thorough study.
LWVGO is known for the following:
• The Voters Guide and our Vote411.org website, respected and trusted sources of non-partisan voter information.
• Deputy voter registrars helping people register to vote.
• Get Out the Vote activities, especially for underrepresented populations.
• Candidate and other voter education forums.
• Go Vote, Omaha! a public affairs program airing Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on public access KPAO (Cox Channel 22 and Centurylink Channel 89). Archived shows on YouTube: League of Women Voters Greater Omaha GOVoteOmaha.
To learn more, visit www.omahalwv.org, email: omahalwv@gmail.com and find us on Facebook.
The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce (www.councilbluffsiowa.com) Celebrates 100 Years of Progress
Since 1916, the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce has led the way for the businesses, government, and citizens of Southwest Iowa and the Greater Omaha Area. The Chamber’s passion and leadership have infused our community with sense of pride and desire for success.
In 2016, the Chamber will continue its mission to grow our community by focusing on these areas:
• Existing Industry Retention • Workforce/Talent Development • Small Business/Start Up Assistance
• Public Policy • Membership Services • Marketing of Our Businesses and Our Community
“Our focus continues to be on people, Chamber members, and businesses who make our community what it is today,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber has enjoyed progress, success, and great support in this community for the last 100 years and looks forward to the next 100 years.
For more information or to join the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, contact us at (712) 325-1000 or CouncilBluffsChamberofCommerce@councilbluffsiowa.com. You can also visit www.councilbluffsiowa.com to learn more about the Chamber and our programs!