I was elected to the Dana Point City Council in 2004, re-elected in 2008 and have served the city in various capacities including:

  • Mayor
  • Mayor Pro Tem
  • Coastal Animal Services Authority Chairperson
  • Orange County Public Library Advisory Board and Executive & Finance Committees
  • Library Task Force
  • Sea Terrace Park Subcommittee
  • Charitable Grant Subcommittee
  • Traffic Improvement Subcommittee Vice Chair
  • Utility Undergrounding Subcommittee Vice Chair
  • Town Center Subcommittee Vice Chair
  • Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors 
  • League of California Cities Measure M Supercommittee/Investment Plan Development Subcommittee

My love of community comes from a strong history of volunteerism. I've been very active in the community, holding leadership positions in several organizations. Together with other dedicated volunteers, I'm proud of bringing a parade back to Dana Point and turning it into a major event embraced by the community. I was instrumental in merging the two pro-humane non-profits supporting our animal shelter into one united, financially stable group. After serving as Chairperson for five years, the annual Wag-A-Thon™ is now the largest pets and people event in Orange County. During my tenure on the board of directors, we made great strides in the Lantern Village area and city-wide code enforcement efforts with the Lantern Village Association. (Our Clean-Up Days were so successful the City of Dana Point adopted the program!) As a City Council Member, I continue my support of our community and of my fellow volunteers who give the most precious gift of all...their time. 

  • Pet Project Foundation/Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point, (President two terms, six years on the board 1998-2004)
  • Beta Foster Care Advisory Board, First Vice President (2005/06)
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley Capital Campaign Steering Committee Member (2006-2008)
  • Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated, Board of Directors (2003-2008)
  • Dana Point Historical Society (2002-2004)
  • Dana Point Woman’s Club, First Vice President (2006-2007)
  • Festival of Whales, Chairperson (2002)
  • Lantern Village Association, Vice President (1998-2004)
  • Dana Point Woman’s Club Scholarship Committee (2003-Present)
  • Editor, The Trumpet, monthly newsletter of the Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated (2006-present)
  • Senior Resource Council Member (est. 2005-2008)
  • "Always For the Children" Fundraising event Chair (2006)
  • Dana Point Festival of Whales Committee (1999-2004)
  • Festival of Whales Parade Committee (2002-2003)
  • Wag-A-Thon Chairperson (2000-2004)
  • ARF Quarterly Newsletter Editor (1999-2002)
  • Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Membership Drive Volunteer (2002 & 2004)
  • San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter Volunteer (1998-2004)
  • Lantern Village Association Newsletter Editor (2001-2004)
  • Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter Contributor (2001-2004)
  • Beach Clean Up Volunteer
  • Mrs. Dana Point International 2004

 

Member of:

  • Pet Project Foundation (formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point)
  • Dana Point/Capistrano Beach Historical Society
  • Dana Point Coastal Arts
  • Dana Point Earth/Ocean Society (Charter Member)
  • Dana Point Lighthouse Society
  • Dana Point Woman's Club
  • Dana Point Yacht Club
  • Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated
  • Friends of the Dana Point Library (Life Member)
  • Lantern Village Association
  • MOMS Club of Dana Point & San Juan Capistrano
  • Ocean Institute

    Recognition:

  • City of Dana Point Certificate of Recognition, 2002  

  • Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point Appreciation Plaque, 2002

  • Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated Certificate of Appreciation, 2003

  • Ambassador’s Award, 2004 Mrs. California International Pageant

  • Community Service Award, 2004 Mrs. California International Pageant

  • Publicity Award, 2004 Mrs. California International Pageant

  • Lantern Village Association Certificate of Appreciation, 2004

  • League of California Cities Mayors and Council Members Academy Leadership Level Certificate, 2005

  • Capistrano Valley Republican Women, Federated Certificate of Appreciation, 2006

  • Woman of Distinction, Making a Difference for Women Award winner from Soroptimist International of Capistrano Bay, 2007

  • "Worker of the Month", Orange County Federation of Republican Women, September 2008

  • The Pat Plepler Citizenship Award, 2009

 

© 2008 -2012 Lara Anderson. All rights reserved.