Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce

Chamber Business Councils

Spanning over 85 square miles, Riverside is a large and diverse city. Because of the size of our greater Riverside community, the Chamber discovered we can better serve our community by having six different geographical divisions – allowing members to work on issues within their own area of the city. We are the only Chamber in the Western United States with this structure.

Division participation is a great way to share your business with other Chamber members!

DIVISION	PRESIDENT	TELEPHONE	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Arlington	Patty Osmon	(951) 785-1435	sign-central@sbcglobal.net
Downtown	Oliver Rocroi	(951) 781-2240	orocroi@oreillypr.com
Easthills	Victoria Brodie	(909) 936-7000	Victoria@rivappear.com
Hunter Park	Kathy Barton	(951) 827-2843	Kathryn.barton@ucr.edu
La Sierra	Robin Treen	(951) 275-9100	rtreen@rbica.com
MagnoliaCenter	Harrison Heublein	(951) 809-3031	hheublein@yahoo.com

Spanning over 85 square miles, Riverside is a large and diverse city. Because of the size of the greater Riverside community, the Chamber realizes it can better serve the community by having six Business Councils, which are organized by geographic region, allowing members to work on issues within their own area of the city. The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce is the only Chamber in the Western United States with this unique and effective structure.

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Business Council program.

What is a Business Council?
A Business Council is a volunteer organization, comprised of and led by Chamber members and located in a specific geographical area. Each Council provides a channel for its members to be involved in solving problems, discussing issues, and implementing special projects and events for the benefit of the area being served.

Why should Chamber members participate in a Business Council?
Participation can maximize the existing benefits of Chamber membership. Business Councils offer members the opportunity to prioritize and bring focus to the specific business needs of the area served by the Council, and they serve as a way to provide stronger representation on area issues. Members can also take on leadership roles within the Council. Participation provides an opportunity for area-specific networking with other businesses.

How do Business Councils fit into the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce organization?
Each Council has a Board of Directors with the Chairs serving on the Chamber's Board, the policy decision-making body of the Chamber. The Business Council Chairs keep the Chamber Board informed of the Councils' action and progress.

The Chamber provides a staff liaison to the Councils who assists each council with special events, programs, production and mailing of Council correspondence, and coordination of all board and committee meetings. Through the liaison, the Councils can utilize Chamber resources, such as the communications staff, for production of printed materials or the development of press releases.

The Chamber staff liaison works closely with the Councils to develop their operating guidelines, plans of action, and annual budgets. The councils are fiscally responsible to the Chamber.

What are the costs to participate in a Business Council?
There is no additional charge to participate in a Business Council. This benefit is included in your Chamber membership.

Chamber staff liaison:
Julie Houser, (951) 683-7100 x-218 jhouser@riverside-chamber.com

Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Business Councils:

Arlington Business Council
Board President: Patty Osmon, Sign Central
Area Covered: Ward 5 and the most westerly portion of Ward 4
INSIDE meetings – 3rd Tuesday of the month, January, April, July, October

2009-2010 focus:

Arlington Square
California Square
Van Buren Blvd & Overpass
Riverside Auto Center
Arlington Heights Sports Complex

Downtown Business Council
Board President: Oliver Rocroi, O’Reilly Public Relations
Area Covered: Southwest half of Ward 1
INSIDE meetings – 1st Thursday of the month, January, April, July, October

2009-2010 focus:

Riverside Community Hospital
Main Street Renovation
Rubin Building
Fox Theater
Fairmount Park

EastHills Business Council
Board President: Victoria Brodie, Arbonne International
Area Covered: Ward 2 and Ward 4
INSIDE meetings – 1st Thursday of the month, February, May, August, November

2009-2010 focus:

March Air Reserve Base
UC Riverside School of Medicine
Sycamore Canyon
University Ave. Development
Annual Bike Program

Hunter Park Business Council
Board President: Kathy Barton, UC Riverside
Area Covered: Northeast half of Ward 1
INSIDE meetings – 1st Thursday of the month, March, June, September, December

2009-2010 focus:

Columbia Grade Separation

La Sierra Business Council
Board President: Robin Treen, RBI Retail Brokers
Area Covered: Ward 6 and Ward 7
INSIDE meetings – 3rd Tuesday of the month, February, May, August, November

2009-2010 focus:

Riverwalk Business Park
5-Points Development
Galleria at Tyler
Hillcrest High School
La Sierra Senior Center

Magnolia Center Business Council
Board President: Harrison Heublein, URS Corporation
Area Covered: Ward 3
INSIDE meetings – 3rd Tuesday of the month, March, June, September, December

2009-2010 focus:

Riverside Plaza
Tava Center
Magnolia Grade Separation
Riverside Airport
Poly High School Hospitality Academy