mAKE A DIFFERENCE DOWNTOWN AND APPLY TO BE ON THE DBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

    Love Downtown Bend? Want to be part of the magic that keeps it thriving? We’re on the hunt for board members who are team players, idea-sharers, and problem-solvers—not just cheerleaders from the sidelines. If you’ve got 3-5 hours a month to spare and a passion for making downtown even better, we’d love to have you on board (literally)!

  • what we do not want

    If your idea of community involvement is just complaining without offering solutions, this probably isn’t the board for you. We’re not looking for lone wolves, no-shows, or folks who think teamwork is overrated. If collaborating with the City of Bend to improve downtown makes you cringe, or if you’re too busy to commit a few hours a month, we totally get it—but this gig might not be your vibe. We need people who show up, pitch in, and genuinely want to make Downtown Bend the best it can be!

  • The commitment

    As a DBBA board member, your term will last 2 fiscal years: July 2025 - June 2027. You’ll dedicate 3-5 hours a month to helping Downtown Bend shine. Two of those hours will be spent at our monthly board meeting—every third Wednesday from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. We meet in person, but if you're sick or off on an adventure, Zoom has your back. The rest of your time? It’s all about supporting events, initiatives, and projects that keep downtown awesome. Easy, right?

next steps

fill out the application

4/1/25 through 5/9/25

If you're interested in joining the board, scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the application. Your responses will be shared on our voting platform, so take your time and make them count!

downtown votes

5/19/25 through 6/2/25

All 350+ DBBA members will have the opportunity to vote on who will fill the seven open board seats in this election. The board consists of 11 members in total, with the remaining four seats up for election/re-election in 2026.

New board members announced

june 10th - at the downtown annual meeting.

Join us for our Downtown Annual Meeting at the Tower Theatre on June 10th from 8:00–11:00 AM, where we’ll announce our newly elected board members!

New Board Members - Onboarding

June 10th-June 30th

New board members are required to complete a Board Member 101 workshop through Main Street America within their first 30 days (don’t worry, it’s online and easy to access). Your first board meeting will be on June 18th, which will also be the farewell meeting for outgoing members who are wrapping up their terms.

FAQs

Do i have to be a business owner or building owner downtown to join?

No, you do not. Up to 20% of our board members can be community members. You just have to love downtown, want to contribute positively, and have the time to volunteer.

Do i have to attend board meetings in person?

We ask that you attend the majority of board meetings in person, as the in-person synergy truly makes a difference. We understand that travel, illness, or other commitments may occasionally prevent you from being there, so Zoom is always an option when needed. However, if you miss more than three unexcused board meetings in a fiscal year, you may be removed from the board.

how much time commitment does this really take?

We ask that you commit to 3-5 hours per month of volunteering. Two of those hours will be dedicated to our monthly board meeting, leaving 1-3 additional hours for committee work, event volunteering, marketing support, and more. We’re flexible on how you spend your extra time—whatever best fits your skills and interests!

Is this a good move for my political career?

DBBA Board of Directors may not run for public office, as it may be cause a potential conflict of interest or ethical considerations. Board members have a responsibility to represent the interests of the business community in a neutral, non-political way. Holding a public office while serving on a nonprofit board, like the DBBA, could lead to a conflict between your duties as a board member and the political responsibilities of an elected official

what is your involvement with main street america?

The DBBA is proud to be a part of Main Street America, a national network dedicated to revitalizing and sustaining downtown districts. Through this affiliation, we gain access to valuable resources, training, and best practices that help guide our efforts to strengthen Downtown Bend. Main Street America’s proven framework supports local organizations like ours in fostering economic development, preserving historic buildings, and enhancing the overall community experience. By being part of this network, we’re able to bring innovative ideas and successful strategies to our downtown, ensuring its continued growth and vitality.

can i run for an executive seat on the board?

The DBBA Board has four executive positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These positions are voted on annually in July by the current board members. While any board member is welcome to apply, we encourage those seeking the roles of President or Vice President to have already served on the board for at least one year. However, this is not a requirement.