Apply to be a part of the DNN Advisory, subcommittee, or specific role today!
In 2023, we’re taking an active role in promoting the experience of living in Downtown Grand Rapids. We have several ways for neighbors to get involved to make the Downtown neighborhood a welcoming, diverse place for all.
Our vision is to facilitate opportunities for neighbors to:
- Get Connected
- Stay Informed
- Be Involved, and
- Build Community
We do this through the subcommittees of the Downtown Neighbor Network Advisory Board.
- The Advisory Board is a group of neighbors who seek to achieve the DNN vision in a positive, permanent and inclusive way for the neighborhood.
- There are currently three subcommittees that focus on doing the work to complete one major project in a calendar year. The subcommittees and their goals are:
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- Communication – Inform all neighbors that they are part of the DNN and provide them access to DNN information and opportunities.
- This subcommittee helps with social media, newsletters, mailers, media engagement.
- Communication – Inform all neighbors that they are part of the DNN and provide them access to DNN information and opportunities.
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- Safety/Governance – Map and track the top concerns of neighbors for accountability in our community.
- This subcommittee focuses on lighting, street design, engagement with City departments, or teams that keep the neighborhood safe for all.
- Safety/Governance – Map and track the top concerns of neighbors for accountability in our community.
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- Events – Bring disparate people together through events to build relationships in the neighborhood.
- This subcommittee organizes ways for neighbors to gather and build community around both commonalities and differences between neighbors that call Downtown home.
- Events – Bring disparate people together through events to build relationships in the neighborhood.
While serving as an advisor takes 3-5 hour per month attending meetings and leading the work of subcommittees, there are many ways to engage in the work we are doing.
As shown in the image above, neighbors can be a part of our efforts to play a role in achieving the DNN’s vision for the neighborhood:
- LEAD: If you have direct experience, knowledge, or practice in one of these areas, we want you to lead a subcommittee! You will work directly with Kendsie often on the decision making for planning, actions, and analysis of subcommittee work.
- ADVISE: Share your experience in a way that guides or advises the work being completed by each subcommittee. This is less of a time requirement than leading a group of neighbors, but you are the “go to” for questions to share your expertise.
- PARTICIPATE: You like to take action. The DNN can always count on you to show up to events and opportunities to engage. You get others out and about to activate the neighborhood as well!
- VOLUNTEER: The DNN can rely on you to put up posters, set up, or tear down for an event, share information with your peers to get people involved, or lend your time in other ways.
- GIVE INPUT: You are happy to share your thoughts and experiences in surveys, focus groups, or at meetings to make sure that neighbors’ experiences are considered.
Remember that all neighbors have gifts, talents and passions that they bring to our community. What is yours? Be a neighbor that is a part of creating a place that you are proud to call home!
Apply to be a part of the DNN Advisory, subcommittee, or specific role today!