What is OTOC?

Omaha Together One Community (OTOC) teaches people to become effective leaders, explore their legitimate interests, do solid research, engage in sometimes tough, but always respectful public discourse, hold elected officials accountable and create positive change through collective action. Through the practice of these skills, people build relationships of trust and, by acting collaboratively, become part of solving their own problems rather than expecting someone else to take care of them.

Our Philosophy

We believe in relationships

The issues we work on come out of small-group gatherings called “house meetings”, where people share their stories about issues they’d like to see changed and have energy to work on. We are driven by the testimony of concrete experience, not pre-conceived ideology.

We believe in citizen leadership

We identify, bring together and develop leaders across our communities, so that we can accomplish more together than we could apart.

We believe in ownership

We accept no money from government sources. The organization is funded by dues from its member institutions, in addition to some foundation and business support. This allows the organization to belong to, and be accountable to, the institutions that make it up.

We believe in practical solutions

We work on concrete issues that we can do something about. Once potential issues are identified, community leaders do research to develop practical, achievable solutions.

Community organizing demands time, talent, discipline and commitment. Those willing to do the work experience personal growth and transformation. These leaders have witnessed the impact OTOC has made on their congregations and the city.


Regular Membership

Institutions that are regular members of OTOC commit to paying annual dues of 1% of their institution’s operating budget and to have leaders from their institutions participate in guiding the work of OTOC.

Leaders of member institutions are invited to participate in monthly OTOC Leadership Team and Steering Committee meetings and in all research and action teams, local and national training sessions and all OTOC public actions.

Current regular members are:

Augustana Lutheran Church
First United Methodist Church
First Unitarian Church
Grace Lutheran
Holy Name Catholic
Metropolitan Community Church
Omaha Friends
Resurrection Episcopal
Sacred Heart Catholic
St. Benedict the Moor Catholic

St. John (Creighton) Catholic
St. Leo Catholic
St. Paul United Methodist
St. Pius X Catholic
Second Unitarian Church
Sudanese Community of Greater Omaha
The Benedictine Way
Trinity Lutheran Church – North Omaha
Urban Abbey

Solidarity Membership

Solidarity membership in OTOC is offered to institutions that share OTOC’s interest in the common good of our community but are not in a position to become regular members.

Solidarity members are expected to make an annual contribution to OTOC according to their ability. Persons affiliated with solidarity members are invited to participate in all OTOC action teams and events including regular training sessions offered by OTOC leaders and staff. Solidarity members have ongoing input into OTOC strategies but are not voting members.

Current solidarity members are:

Big Garden
Columban Fathers
Habitat for Humanity
Immigrant Legal Center
Notre Dame Sisters

Restoring Dignity
Schlegel Center for Service & Justice at Creighton
Servants of Mary Social Justice Committee
Sisters of Mercy
TPS Alliance of Nebraska

OTOC In The News

DatePublicationTitle
5/1/2020Omaha World HeraldMidlands Voices: Nebraska needs strong action to protect packing plant workers
12/27/2019Omaha StarAffordable for US
9/14/2019Omaha World HeraldCapping payday lending rates at 36% in Nebraska is goal of new petition drive
9/13/19KMTV Channel 3Inspector: Almost all Paladino violations fixed
8/14/2019KETV Channel 7Omaha mayor and planning department respond to code enforcement criticism
8/14/2019Omaha World HeraldAdvocates want more money in city budget for housing inspectors and recycling
8/14/2019Omaha World HeraldNobody can agree on what to do with Omaha’s yard waste, but a decision has to come soon
8/14/2019News Channel NebraskaHousing Watchdogs Demand More Inspectors
8/13/2019KETV Channel 7Omaha residents voice concerns with proposed 2020 budget
8/13/2019KMTV Channel 3Public asks for more inspectors and to keep recycling program at budget hearing
8/13/2019Fox 42 NewsOmaha City Council to consider two new bids for trash services
8/13/2019WOWT NewsCity Council hears public comment on trash contract bids
8/23/2019Omaha World HeraldOmahans commenting on mayor’s proposed trash contract say they expect more out of the suggested changes
4/17/2019Omaha World HeraldOmaha gets landlord registry, regular inspections after Stothert puts away her veto pen
4/10/2019Omaha World HeraldMayor says she will veto council’s new landlord registry with inspections every 10 years
4/9/2019KETV NewsOmaha Mayor Jean Stothert says she will veto rental property registration plan approved by City Council
4/2/2019Omaha World HeraldCity Council delays vote on landlord registry and inspection ordinances due to member’s illness
3/4/2019Omaha World HeraldHousing advocates push for more regulations of Omaha rental properties; landlords push back
2/20/2019 Fox 42 NewsCan we live in a perfect world?
2/20/2019Omaha World HeraldNew website ‘We Don’t Slum’ aims to put pressure on problem landlords
2/19/2019KETV NewsNew website launches to spread awareness about slumlords
2/19/2019KMTV News#WEDONTSLUM calls attention to Omaha slum lords
2/19/2019WOWT NewsHousing advocates launch rental accountability website
2/18/2019KETV NewsWomen, daughter homeless after rental house inspection notes imminent danger
2/13/2019Omaha World HeraldOTOC Opinion Piece on Rental Oversight
11/28/2018KFAB Radio StationOTOC on Landlord Registration 
11/26/2018Omaha WOWT NewsCity, community still discussing rental property regulations 
11/04/2018Omaha World HeraldAfter demolishing condemned houses, land can languish, Omaha Land Bank, city want to change that 
11/03/2018Omaha World HeraldImperative that Nebraska pass Initiative 427 and expand Medicaid 
10/07/2018Omaha World HeraldAt town hall, Omaha landlords push back against proposed rental registry, more inspections 
10/04/2018Catholic VoiceFaith guides Salvadoran family in Omaha through uncertainties of immigration status 
09/27/2018Omaha World HeraldLandlords say they’ll fight push for more inspections of rental units
09/26/2018Omaha KMTV NewsOmaha groups battle over Yale Park regulation, inspection 
09/18/2018Omaha KMTV NewsU.S. Congress hopefuls Bacon, Eastman face off at OTOC
09/18/2018Omaha KETV NewsNebraska congressional candidates face immigration, Medicaid questions
09/17/2018Omaha World HeraldDon Bacon, Kara Eastman face off on issues of immigration, health care, climate at forum 
09/04/2018Omaha World HeraldOmaha group urges action for immigrants about to lose protected status
08/09/2018Omaha World HeraldHousing inspectors play key role in health of Omaha housing stock
01/18/2018Lincoln Journal StarHundreds of Salvadorans in Nebraska will be impacted by TPS decision
12/18/2017Omaha KMTV NewsPrayer vigil held for Omaha ‘DREAMers’
11/04/2017Omaha World HeraldIn Omaha nearly 20 years, El Salvador natie with protected status faces uncertain future
02/01/2017Omaha World HeraldUNO professor forced to flee Bosnian war tells midtown vigil
 10/17/2016Omaha KETV News Transcript of KETV News Coverage of October 17
 09/02/2016Omaha KMTV News, Fox 42 and Omaha World Herald Diapers in Detention
12/11/2015Omaha KMTV NewsHundreds show up at meeting discussing electric rate hike
11/24/2015Omaha World HeraldIn candlelight vigils
11/17/2015WOWT, Channel 3, Fox 42 and Omaha World HeraldNew Ordinance Aimed at Cleaning Up Abandoned, Vacant Properties & related stories
02/17/2014Lincoln Journal StarLocal View: Immigration reform good for Nebraska business
02/8/2014Omaha World HeraldFasting keeps immigration reform in spotlight, Los Angeles activist says in Omaha
11/7/2013Omaha KMTV NewsFix immigration so everyone has a place around the table for thanksgiving
8/12/2013Omaha KETV NewsGroup seeks long-term solutions for Omaha’s vacant homes
5/1/2013Omaha KETV NewsGroup asks Candidates to pledge funds for House Demolitions
4/4/2013Lincoln Journal-StarCapitol crowd urges support for immigration reform
8/15/2012Omaha World HeraldOTOC Celebrates $500,000 more for demolition of condemned buildings!!!
4/16/2012Omaha World HeraldHouse hopefuls talk jobs, health care
3/14/2012Omaha World HeraldMidlands Voices: Prenatal care is moral imperative
2/08/2012Lincoln Journal StarInterchurch Ministries to host vigil regarding prenatal care coverage
12/6/2011Omaha World HeraldSenators talk immigration policy
10/26/2011Omaha World HeraldCouncil OKs fee increases
10/05/2011El PericoUn llamado para una reforma importante
09/27/2011Omaha World HeraldOTOC keeps focus on immigration
06/14/2011Omaha World HeraldImmigration, housing top concerns
11/03/2010Fox 42 NewsGroup of 500 Helps Empower Local Citizens
10/31/2010 & 11/1/2010Various MediaOmaha Together, As One Community (Condensed version of the article)
09/17/2009Fox 42 NewsCommunity Group Misses Police Auditor Funding
09/14/2009Omaha World HeraldRally backs Suttle budget
08/16/2009Fox 42 NewsCity Council Prepares for Heated Budget Meeting
05/11/2009Omaha World HeraldGrass-roots group turns out to encourage voters
05/09/2009WOWT Channel 6Last push to the polls
05/09/2009KETV Channel 7Group urges high voter turnout Tuesday
04/11/2009Omaha World HeraldVokal to drop auditor proposal
04/03/2009Fox 42 NewsOmaha Together One Community Holds Forum to Discuss City Issues
03/30/2009Omaha World HeraldSuttle in agreeable mood for forum
03/29/2009Omaha World HeraldMayoral forum scheduled for today
03/08/2009Fox 42 NewsCity Council Votes to Delay Police Auditor Decision
10/27/2008Omaha World HeraldRally aims to mobilize foes of ban on affirmative action
10/26/2008Omaha World HeraldOTOC leaders to rally opposition to Initiative 424
08/21/2008Omaha World HeraldMidlands Voices – It’s smarter to invest more in Sun Dawgs
08/13/2008Omaha World HeraldSome on Council question more money for Sun Dawgs
07/19/2008Omaha World HeraldSummertime success – Sun Dawgs
01/11/2008Omaha World HeraldService called a start to combat violence