Downtown business and property owners are known for their bickering. One side or another often feels that the other is running the show. That leads to lack of participating or downright adversarial personalities in an area that should band together to bring consumers to their stores, restaurants, and buildings. That’s easier said that done, of course, but whatever organization decides to take charge must overcompensate for the past mistakes. It doesn’t matter what other organizations of similar size (economically or geologically) do. They don’t have the history that Salem’s downtown has.
One thing everyone can agree on is that downtown’s success means success for Salem as a whole. In order to achieve that needed togetherness, the group should take on these basic principles:
#1: Be democratic
That’s with a small d in democratic. It’s important that every member be listened to and have power to build a consensus to change the direction of the organization. The original steering committee has to come from a wide range of both property and business owners. It is important that both are able to participate in the organization, equally, if they would like to. People need to feel that they are being represented and the only way to do that is to bring people of different ideologies whether retail, nightlife, or restaurants together to create a diversity of ideas. Those people should be recruited by the organization and asked to serve.
In the world of electronics, information can be disseminated among the members, conversations can take place and votes can happen 24 hours a day. An issue can be discussed at a meeting, presentations can be given and voting can be held open for days or weeks depending on the issue. This allows for the membership to represent their own ideals without always relying on a board of directors to decide for the group.
#2: Be 100% transparent
Any perceived lack of transparency breeds resentment. In order for the organization to be successful, it must go above and beyond to be transparent to the community and its members.
Meetings should be regularly scheduled and voted on by the membership. Meeting notices should be sent out in ample time to adjust busy schedules.
All meetings should be accessible over the Internet, either streamed or recorded. Audio versions should be available to get quickly into the ears of those interested. We live in a world where video broadcasting can be done cheaply and easily. Audio recording can be done from a smart phone.
There’s no excuse for private, “open” meetings.
A staff person or committee should be responsible for writing press releases to alert the community of ongoing events, issues that are being debated, and progress that has been made.
Members of the organization will always be busy and focused on their own businesses. The organization is responsible for giving people the access to stay up to date on its progress.
#3: Have a limited scope
An organization or committee that is well versed in marketing, promotion, and event planning is not going to be good at cleaning the streets nor installing lighting. Choose the scope of responsibilities and stick to it. Take stances and aid others in developing the strategies for the issues outside of that scope.
#4: Facilitate; do not host.
The organization should not host events. The local businesses in the area should take on the responsibility of being the host and planning the event. Where the organization comes in is facilitating when it comes to regulation in permits and procedures. Every event that someone wants to host in the downtown core should have the clear, and undivided support of the organization. After all, the organization’s intent should be to promote downtown. The people who are in the alley for a punk show or visiting an art gallery both have equally spendable money.
#5: Be political
The organization should have a constant presence at Salem City Council meetings. With the increased democracy within the organization, an issue should be able to be presented and voted on by the full membership base. It’s important that the business and property owners in the core have the opportunity to be represented.
