At its meeting on Monday, April 12, the Oxnard Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee (BAC) received an update from with lobbyist Fred Main on California politics and legislation straight from Sacramento. Main is a partner with Clear Advocacy LLC and provides services to the Tri-County Chambers Alliance, which covers Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Despite the focus on reopening the state, legislators are busy processing about 2.000 bills that were introduced this year. Legislation seems to be moving faster through the Capitol this year, according to Main.

Other items of discussion included: 

• There are now 22 bills on the CalChamber's Job Killer list. The Oxnard Chamber has added its name to most of the opposition coalitions on those bills. A new measure recently surfaced that would require buffer zones around warehouse uses that the Chamber is currently looking into. Such legislation could have an impact on the development of the Sakioka Farms project and operations at or near the Port of Hueneme.
• The BAC also received a progress report on how the retail cannabis permits were moving along in Oxnard. Nine of the 16 total approved applicants are under review.
• The cities of Oxnard and Camarillo are looking at joining other Ventura County cities that have implemented Styrofoam food takeout container bans. More to come on this.

The next virtual BAC meeting is Monday, May 10, at noon. All members are welcome to attend; those who want to advocate for the rights of local businesses are invited to join the committee. Contact Nancy Lindholm for the meeting dial-in information.

One of the exciting benefits of uniting the Oxnard and Camarillo chambers is opening up more committee opportunities for members. For many years, the Camarillo Chamber has had a Women in Business Committee, and women professionals from the Oxnard Chamber are invited to participate.

The chair of the committee is Jay Ziebart of Plant Based for Life and the vice chair is Erin Samaniego of Mind Master. The committee  meets the third Wednesday of every month at noon. For now, you may visit the Camarillo Chamber's website to view the event calendar and register for upcoming meetings.

What are the goals of this committee?
The Women in Business Committee is dedicated to empowering women to thrive professionally and personally and to create opportunities for women to work together and build relationships that will improve the economic vitality and quality of life in our region.

Why should a member join this committee?
To connect with women professionals in the community and participate in planning and discussions for
fulfilling the WIB committee mission. Women are a powerful force when they work together. Supporting
other women in their path to success helps all women succeed!

What impact does this committee have within the Chamber and surrounding community?
The Women in Business Committee is focused not just on networking, but in elevating women business
owner’s knowledge. An increase in knowledge benefits everyone through increased efficiency and
effectiveness in serving the community. We continued to connect women professionals throughout the
pandemic from the very beginning and did not miss one month of networking. Our events provide
connection and information that fulfill our mission.

We recently welcomed B & B Mensch Security, Inc. as a member of the Oxnard Chamber community!

The Thousand Oaks-based business is a veteran-owned consultant and management security company that is fully insured and licensed in California. They provide unarmed/armed uniformed agents and plain clothes agents, and specialize in Executive Protection, Estate/Residential Protection, Religious Institutions, Corporate Offices/Property, and Events. Visit their website to find out more.

What products or services do you provide?          
Unarmed and armed uniformed or plain clothes security agents
 
How and when did the business get started?      
Our security company initiated at the end of December 2019 but our cadre has an extensive 30+ years of experience in the security sector and military background which we have transition our expertise into the civilian security sector.
 
What is the company's mission or motto?            
Our commitment is to surpass your expectations with transparency and we are determined to protect the livelihoods you cherish with little to no disruptions. So, you can focus on what matters to you most.
 
What’s one thing the business is known for over its competitors?              
We believe in quality not quantity.  We provide trained and certified security agents. Not discarding the fact that we are an equal opportunity company that also provides training or commits to keep their guards trained year-round and as a result our clients receive quality services for a hassle-free lifestyle.
 
Are there any new or upcoming projects/products/events/etc. you can tell us about?      
Our CEO is currently taking extensive training on surviving, being proactive and reactive to an active shooter situation. By the beginning of July 2021, we should have an established training to offer our clients and any other facilities that are interested in this type of training.
 
How can the our community help the business? 
The community can help us by making everyone aware that we will soon offer active shooter training and it’s very difficult to promote this because no one likes to think of the fact that this could happen, but we need to be proactive not reactive. But, if needing to be reactive, what is the proper way to do so. We won't be able to save lives that could have been saved if this training would of been taken by more individuals prior to being in this type of devastating events.
 
What else should potential clients/customers know?
The purpose of our company is to help others by providing security services but also help those who are less fortunate and cannot afford security. As a supplement, we can give educational trainings for survival in case they are in a life-threatening situation.

On March 22, the membership of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce voted (nearly unanimously) to unite with the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce and form the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA). WVCBA will be the voice for the interest of business with government, promote economic development, work to improve the regional economy, and protect the interests of the two communities.

Talks of the two organizations joining forces have been ongoing for many years, but not so earnestly until 2020.

"We came very close to an agreement last year, and then one of the pieces didn't fit correctly in the overall puzzle," says Oxnard Chamber CEO Nancy Lindholm. "We were able to adjust a few details in the first quarter of 2021, so now we are very close to finalizing the unification of the two chambers. We are excited about the strong, united voice we will be for business as the WVCBA."

With nearly 1,000 members that employ more than 60,000 individuals, WCVBA will provide a much larger audience for its members who rely on networking and word of mouth advertising to grow their businesses. Other entities that find display advertising beneficial will also see an increase in exposure. Collectively, there will be many more opportunities for involvement, and some members will benefit by investing only in one organization, versus two chambers.

Operationally, members will not see immediate changes. Both chambers will continue to operate "as is" for the foreseeable future. The combined boards of directors will guide the WVCBA as it evolves over time.

"Our vision is to reduce duplication of overhead and operating costs so we can service our member investors at a higher level," adds Lindholm, who will assume the position of President and CEO of the Alliance. Joining her team are CeCe Adame, Director of Membership; Jovie Baclayon, Communications Manager; Bailey Huerta, Marketing and Social Media Manager; and Sharen Strong, Director of Member Services. 

Details will be worked out in the coming months, including overlapping memberships, integrating databases, boards of directors, signature events, and more, and logo and website development. Members of both organizations will be informed of progress along the way.

OPCF will support community outreach and programs for OPD’s personnel and family members

A group of community members have come together with the Oxnard Police Department to form the Oxnard Police Community Foundation (OPCF). The goal of the independent 501(c)(3) non-profit is to enhance public safety in the City of Oxnard by providing financial support to the Oxnard Police Department. The OPCF will support critical programs that are not funded by the City of Oxnard, such as community engagement events and peer support following traumatic work-related incidents. 

“I’m very excited to partner with the Foundation to make Oxnard safer and stronger. With the Foundation’s support of our community events, we will continue to increase trust and respect,” said Police Chief Jason Benites. “The Foundation’s support for officer wellness will allow us to better care for our officers, dispatchers, and support staff that protect and serve in this difficult and challenging profession.”

Policing through community engagement and partnerships is one of the ways the Oxnard Police Department is helping to reduce crime while making lasting connections between law enforcement and the public. Many communities across the country are forming nonprofit foundations to bridge funding gaps and assist law enforcement in acquiring the tools not covered in the regular budget.

“We hope the Foundation will help improve the quality of life for everyone in our Oxnard community by encouraging positive contacts between the police and residents and fostering programs and initiatives to enhance public safety in Oxnard,” stated Stacy Miller, Chair of the Board of Directors.

The OPCF is guided by a Board of Directors composed of community members and sworn police personnel. The Board works with the leadership of the Oxnard Police Department to ensure the Foundation’s priorities and objectives align with those of the Department. The Board Executive Committee includes Stacy Miller, President, Carey Everhart, Vice President and Delia Campbell, Chief Financial Officer. Board Members include Jason Benites, Chief of Police and Luis McArthur, Police Commander.

For more information about the Oxnard Police Community Foundation please contact Paul Carganilla at (805) 385-7631.  

To donate please visit us online at OPDFoundation.org.  Donors can also send a check made payable to: 
Oxnard Police Community Foundation
3600 South Harbor Boulevard #152
Oxnard, CA 93035