NOPNA is a non-profit organization of neighbors, who care about the community, our city, and our world. Our mission is to establish neighborhood unity, maintain multi-ethnic, multi-cultural diversity, foster a sense of neighborhood pride, promote a safe and clean community, and improve the quality of life for all residents of the neighborhood.
Membership provides access to a community with shared interests in the issues that are unique our neighborhood - from keeping the streets clean and safe to directly impacting local business development plans.
Make a difference on our streets and become a member today!
Make checks payable to NOPNA and send your name, address, email address, and phone number (optional) to:
NOPNA, P.O. Box 591504
San Francisco, CA 94159-6113
Click here to pay for NOPNA membership by credit card.
For the year 2008, the NOPNA Advisory Board includes:
NOPNA was started in 1991 as a response to drug-related crime in the neighborhood. The "Respect the Neighborhood" campaign was founded as a response to drug activity in the area at the time but has evolved to represent more than just a battle against crime; it is a mantra that means we want a clean and safe environment where every neighbor is respected and included in our community.
NOPNA Board members receive no compensation other than the neighborly goodwill. All programs and projects are initiated and maintained by volunteers who are passionate about creating a community that cares about each other.
Please contact the NOPNA Board with your comments and questions regarding any neighborhood issue, board@nopna.org.
NOPNA is a member organization of SF 5 Together, a coalition of San Francisco Neighborhood Groups in District 5.
Leela Gill (President) has lived in the NOPNA area since 1990. She is a block captain and part of the NOPNA parent’s group. Leela and her husband, Charles, appreciate the new great little cafes and bars popping up within walking distance of most NOPNA residents. They have two boys and enjoy visiting neighbors and riding bikes to local playgrounds and Golden Gate Park. Most recently, Leela was appointed to serve on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Mayor’s Department of Children, Youth and Their Families. Leela cares about our community, and likes to see our streets clean and our neighborhood safe. You can contact her at leela@nopna.org.
Kevin Rafter (Vice President) has lived and worked in the Panhandle for several years now, and has resided in San Francisco since 1996. When he’s not taking care of his two young children or calling the DPW street cleaning team, Kevin studies issues related to the California nonprofit sector at the University of San Francisco. He is excited about all the new development and local businesses coming into the neighborhood; he sees them as a sign that others recognize what a great neighborhood we have. Kevin looks forward to working with the NOPNA board to find creative ways to increase the membership and get more people involved in the community.
Dan Nguyen-Tan , (Treasurer) is the new membership coordinator for NOPNA. Dan can frequently be seen riding his bike through the Panhandle and drooling over desserts at Delessio. Dan co-founded Golden Capital Network, formerly served as acting VP of Finance for Teach For America, taught at Chico State, and served as Board President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte County. Dan formerly served on the Chico City Council from 2000-2004 and served as the City’s Finance Chair.
Andrew Robbins (Correspondence Secretary)
Jarie Bolanger (Recording Secretary) has lived on Baker and Grove with his wife Margaret and their two pets, Harold and Maude, since 2004. Jarie is a new NOPNA board member and a member of SCORE, an organization that offers small business counseling for free to anyone that wants it. As a result of his involvement with NOPNA and SCORE, Jarie works with many of our Divisadero merchants helping them with neighborhood and business issues. An engineer by training and an entrepreneur by nature, he is presently working on breakthrough technology that will help reduce medical errors. When not volunteering or at his day job, he can be found running or biking through the park or swimming in the bay.
Desi Danganan (Member At Large) is the Marketing Director for the Poleng Lounge and has been a NOPA resident for 6 years. Using his expertise from other industries, Desi has catapulted Poleng as one of the hottest new restaurants/nightclubs in San Francisco. His #1 goal for the neighborhood is to foster a business friendly environment for NOPA while retaining the quality of life local residents (like himself) enjoy.
Larry Griffen (Member At Large)
Beth Lane (Member At Large) has lived in the neighborhood since 2004 and migrated to the City from Portland Oregon in 1992. She's currently spending most of her time parenting her new son with her husband Chris and continously working on remodeling their flat. She wants to be part of keeping the neighborhood a clean, safe place for all residents and getting to know her neighbors better.
Charles Nelson (Member At Large) has lived in the area for over a year now and already jumped in to help the neighborhood. As a parent of two children, he is active in the parent’s group and as a block captain. Among his many goals for the neighborhood, he wants to make sure it is safe and friendly for neighbors and families. Charles and his wife Dana love the area and look forward to working with NOPNA and especially want to help with the Divisadero Corridor project.