How Can I Get Involved in Government?
Is there a deteriorating property in your community that’s not being addressed? Constant litter on your street? A traffic problem that you want to see resolved? Do you want to get involved in government, and don’t know where to start?
If you answered yes to any of these, you should turn to your Community Board.
Community boards are THAT group you go to when you want a permit for a block party or a street fair! But they’re also so much more than that. Community Boards receive and process complaints from community residents and bring them to elected officials.
They also have an advisory role in land use and zoning issues. Which means that anytime the City is looking to determine how certain property/land can be used in their area (like a parking lot size or height of a building being constructed) they ~must~ be consulted.
The Community Board is also tasked with determining the financial needs of their community, and bringing it to the Mayor’s Office to be included in the City’s budget every year.
The boards consist of up to 50 unsalaried members, but anyone can attend a community board meeting! You don’t need to be a member to attend. Board meetings happen once a month, and at these meetings members address items of concern to the community and hear from attendees.
There are 59 community boards in NYC. Find out where your local community board is, and when their next public meeting is!