Connecting to the Community Through Business

Local professionals now have an opportunity to develop relationships and connect to the city through business and community enhancement projects.

The Aliso Niguel Business Council, which formed in Jan. 2011, currently has 53 members and is recruiting more. Dean Ossola, executive council member for ANBC, said many local business owners were looking for a way to network and participate in projects within their community, but accomplishing that was difficult without an Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce.

“[ANBC] has been really positive,” Ossola said. “There’s a lot of work being done. [Members] enjoy the professional interaction.”

Since Aliso Viejo’s chamber of commerce disbanded, the only option was to look outside of the city, but Ossola said the regional chamber was “too geographically and topically broad.”

Every year, ANBC takes on three main projects within the community. This year they are focusing on the following:

Local charity project — ANBC is working to form the Aliso Niguel Community Foundation, a committee that looks at the professional and financial needs of community groups in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. Some of the organizations currently working with the foundation are the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school connected activities, music and athletic programs.

Business Community Linkage – a committee that works to identify, connect with and engage the major corporate leaders of the community.

Community Improvement Project – a committee working to connect local businesses to community programs. This group will help match organizations and businesses through promotional, sponsorship and other community access to benefit both sides of the partnership.

Ossola said the Aliso Niguel Business Council is still looking for members who live in Aliso Viejo or Laguna Niguel and are “willing to contribute in time, services to join us in this private professional society.” The council meets the second Tuesday of the month from 8:30-10 a.m.

To RSVP for a meeting, contact Ossola at 949-255‐5852 or dossola@alisoniguelbc.com.