The St. Louis Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) is a grassroots non-profit that undertakes community building and organizing in order to connect people, create change, and positively impact the historic and economic nucleus of our city and region.

Click here to view our 2016 Annual Report.

We are supported by grants and contributions by many organizations in Downtown St. Louis. Click here to view our sponsors.

Click here to view the DNA Bylaws.

The boundaries of DNA match those the City of St. Louis uses to define Downtown and Downtown West; Mississippi River on the east, Chouteau Avenue on the south, Jefferson Avenue on the west, and Cole Street on the north. If you live or work in this area, then consider joining.

DNA Boundaries


DNA Operating Structure

 

Members

  • Provide input on issues of concern
  • Assist the board and committees as needed

Committee Chairs and Members

  • Open to all DNA Members
  • Appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board
  • Max of 2 chairs and 4 committee members per committee
  • Committees hold public meetings and take votes from DNA Members in attendance for recommendations to be made to the DNA Board
  • Committee Chairs will likely spend 4-5 hours per/month on committee business
  • Committee Chairs will report to the Executive Director and the DNA Board Member liaison

Board and Officers

  • There are a total of 7 Board Members with 4 Officers (Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer). All officers also sit on the Board, and officers are elected by the Board
  • Each board member is expected to become involved with one committee, attend 75% of the board meetings, make a financial contribution to DNA, and attend/assist with other neighborhood events

Chairperson (approx. 2-3 hours/week)

  • Call, organize, and run the monthly Board Meetings
  • Oversee the work of the Executive Director
  • Receive updates from the Executive Director on the work of the committees and share that info with the rest of the board
  • Attend meetings alongside the Executive Director when needed
  • Activate other Board Members when needed

Vice Chairperson (approx. 2-3 hours/week)

  • Share the duties and the responsibilities of the Chairperson.

Secretary (approx. 1-2 hours/week)

  • Draft the meeting minutes for Board Meetings and General Membership Meetings
  • Present all meeting minutes to the Board for final review and approval and posting to the website by the Executive Director
  • Keep an organized file of corporate paperwork alongside the Executive Director

Treasurer (approx. 1-2 hours/week)

  • Oversee accounting alongside the Executive Director
  • Deliver financial reports during monthly Board meetings

Executive Director

The Executive Director works under the guidance and direction of the Board to handle the day-to-day operations of DNA.

Process for Majority of Positions and Projects

dna-operating-structure