About Us
HISTORY
In March, 2005 the Salinas Redevelopment Agency, the Buddhist Temple, the Franciscan Workers, and the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers sponsored a community summit to address area homelessness with more than 100 people in attendance. One of the end results of this summit was the creation of the Salinas Downtown Community Board (SDCB) with 24 seats that represent property owners, local businesses, community service providers, and local government and institutions. Formally established in November, 2005 and incorporated as a non-profit in July, 2007, the SDCB has met monthly in the Chinatown neighborhood to advise policy makers regarding development plans for the area. These multi-stakeholder meetings create an important forum for the exchange of ideas among diverse community members, and continue to help build trust in the collaborative process. Though conceived as a resource for the entire downtown Salinas area, the SDCB’s first initiative is the Chinatown Renewal Project, with the theme of “Creating a Thriving Community.”
MISSION & PURPOSE
The SDCB’s mission is to provide advice and recommendations to local government, government agencies and other community stakeholders on issues focused on improving the quality of life for individuals and businesses located in the downtown Salinas area. The purpose of the SDCB is to provide a dynamic forum for key stakeholders to address aspects of community life as they relate to its mission and activities include but are not limited to:
• Identify key issues and needs.
• Develop recommended strategies and sustainable solutions to address key issues, fill unmet needs and improve the quality of life for residents and businesses.
• Advocate and/or advise community stakeholders to implement recommended strategies and solutions.
SDCB BACKGROUND
The SDCB is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization comprised of stakeholder representatives from:
• Government (City & County), Public Agencies and Institutions
• Businesses
• Downtown Residents & Other Community Members
• Social Services Providers (i.e. non profit agencies)
Term of Service?
Membership is approved by consensus or majority vote for a term of two years. SDCB members may serve three consecutive terms.
Who is Included?
Government, Public Agency and Institution representatives such as: the City of Salinas (Redevelopment Agency & Housing Dept.), Monterey County (Dept. of Social & Employment Services, Health Department and Natividad Medical Center), the Housing Authority, CSUMB, Hartnell College, etc.
Business representatives such as: Banks, the Salinas Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Oldtown Salinas Association, Salinas United Business Association, etc.
Downtown Residents & Other Community Members such as: the Buddhist Temple, the Confucian Church, the Steinbeck Center, and other people, etc. who live in the downtown area and are chosen by respective representative community groups and/or the SDCB membership through nomination and consensus or majority voting. Vacancies will be advertised through public announcement (e.g. local paper).
Social Service Providers such as: the Franciscan Workers, Victory Mission, Sun Street Centers, Community Human Services, the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, etc.
Leadership?
Co-Chairpersons (Co-Chairs) and the Secretary/Treasurer, are members who are elected by a majority vote of the entire SDCB for one-year terms each calendar year, January – December, renewable for a total of up to four years, and are accountable to the entire SDCB. Both Co-Chairs cannot be from the same stakeholder group.
Committees?
SDCB committees are task oriented and advisory. Recommendations made in committee are subject to final SDCB approval. All committees are responsible for implementing SDCB tasking/decisions and are accountable to the entire Board.
Executive - Duties include developing meeting agendas and providing general leadership to the SDCB. Members include the SDCB Co-Chairs, Secretary/Treasurer, key staff support personnel and committee/task force chairpersons as needed.
Community Relations – Duties include communicating and networking with area community members, neighborhood groups, etc. and helping identify current and emerging needs to the full SDCB membership.
Resource Development – Duties include helping identify, coordinate and develop resources (e.g. grant writing) for SDCB operations, community activities, and selected projects as needed and appropriate. Develop and annually review the SDCB Resources Plan.
Ad Hoc Committees & Task Forces - May be convened as needed (e.g. Chinatown Renewal Project ‘Action Teams’)
