DOAboard2026

Join the Downtown Oakland Association Board of Directors

The Downtown Oakland Association (“DOA”) is a Community Benefit District (“CBD”) Management Corporation committed to revitalizing Oakland’s historic Downtown by maintaining cleanliness and order in the public rights-of-way, improving district identity, fostering cultural opportunities, creating and maintaining new public spaces, and advocating on behalf of district stakeholders. These services are funded by the assessments generated by the Downtown Oakland Community Benefit District, which was overwhelmingly approved by property owners in July 2018 for a new ten-year term.

 

The DOA is a non-profit public benefit district management corporation under contract with the City of Oakland to disburse the revenues of the CBD on behalf of the property owners in the district. The DOA is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

 

This annual nomination process is open to all interested property owners who are current on their CBD assessment payments and are supportive of the goals and policies of the board. Business owners and other community members are also welcome to serve on the board as “Tenant” or “Community-at-Large” representatives.

 

Please keep in mind when nominating yourself or others that the Downtown Oakland Association is a working board of directors. Serving on the board requires consistent participation, thoughtful engagement, and a collaborative spirit. Prospective board members are encouraged to first attend board or committee meetings to ensure a strong fit and understanding of the responsibilities involved.

 

We seek committed business and property owners—and other community members in “Tenant” or “Community-at-Large” roles—who are dedicated to advancing the commerce, image, and amenities of Downtown Oakland. Volunteer board members are expected to:

1. Actively participate in at least one of the board’s standing committees (see attached Committee Structure);
2. Contribute to fundraising efforts that support the board and its initiatives;
3. Support and uphold the goals and policies of the board;
4. Attend all regular and joint board meetings unless formally excused;
5. Communicate respectfully and constructively with fellow board members, staff, and the community in all settings, both during and outside of meetings; and
6. Maintain current status on all CBD assessment payments.

 

Serving on the board is a meaningful commitment, requiring an average dedication of approximately 25 hours per year, and calls for members who are willing to actively share ideas, provide thoughtful input, and collaborate to achieve measurable improvements for Downtown Oakland.

 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the board of directors of the Downtown Oakland Association, please take a moment to fill out the attached nominations form. You may nominate yourself or another qualifying individual to the board. The selected nominees or candidates for the open board seats will be voted in and announced at our Annual Elections meeting to be held on December 10th at  2:00 p.m. See meeting information below.

Schedule for Annual Election Meeting:

Nomination Postcard Distributed to Property Owners: October 25, 2025

Nominations due to district staff: November 20, 2025 

Annual Elections Meeting Held: December 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. 

OCC Conference Center 500 12th St., Suite 105 Oakland, CA 94607

 

Meeting participation is available via Zoom for members of the public:

 

Uptown/Downtown CBD is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4159385345?pwd=c1NpVVl2ZzBNbmIxR2R5R2I0WmJldz09&omn=88140973532

 

View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion

https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=84c951f0-2ce4-4326-9313-3bed59cf86c5

 

Meeting ID: 415 938 5345

Passcode: cbdCbd

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Join instructions

https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/88140973532/invitations?signature=SOuezZxOYX9-nxeRYZWI1sHMUM9XXhHfksZY7EKv6k8

The nominations are due in the Downtown Oakland Association office at 388 19th Street by November 20, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Currently seated board members may also nominate themselves or other qualifying individuals in person, at the Annual Elections meeting. Any other nominations received after November 20th may not be considered for selection to the board. Nominations may be dropped off or mailed to 388 19th Street, Oakland, CA 94612, or scanned and e-mailed to [email protected].

 

 

Committee Structure

Committee	Mission
Executive Committee This committee consists of the President and Officers of the Corporation	The Executive Committee oversees the general administration of the corporations, ensures the effective operations of the board, acts as the coordinating framework through which the other committees function efficiently, and works to increase involvement and support for the organizations.
Clean and Safe Committee	The Clean and Safe Committee oversees the management of all service providers responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order in the public rights of way, the execution of projects that effectively beautify and enhance the safety of the districts, the creation of vibrant and celebrated public spaces and the building of strong relationships with OPD, BART, and other such organizations.
Marketing and Branding Committee	The Marketing and Branding Committee promotes the identity of the districts, encourages economic development, and works to create a vibrant downtown through public relations, marketing, and special events. This work may include: branding of the district, development of graphic identity, special events, website development and maintenance, banner program, streetscape issues including landscaping design, bus shelters, festival poles, holiday decorations, visual linkages, new public spaces projects, and improvements to public spaces in the district.
Policy and Planning Committee	The Policy and Planning Committee of the Downtown Oakland / Lake Merritt Uptown Associations will actively pursue policy, planning and land use initiatives to accomplish the associations’ central goal: The revitalization of downtown Oakland. Initiatives will include pushing for policies that attract business, residents and visitors and that promote the smart and creative development of public and private spaces. The committee’s work will take two forms. 1) Advocacy items, which reflect clear opinions and a strong voice on legislation and policy choices that impact downtown Oakland and 2) Action items, including executing tangible projects or programs in specific downtown locations and developing legislation that results in broad improvements.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please call our Operations Director, Tori Decker at 510-213-1530, or email [email protected].

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to improve Downtown Oakland for everyone involved.