If you’re interested in volunteering to serve on your community board, applications are now open. Appointments to New York City’s 59 boards are made by borough presidents (half of the members of each board are nominated by local City Council members). It will be the first go round for newly elected Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
In a recent press release, Hoylman-Sigal explained,“Community boards are a vital way for everyday New Yorkers to have a direct voice in the decisions that affect their neighborhoods. As we open this application cycle, I want to ensure these boards reflect the lived experiences of the communities they serve. I encourage anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Manhattan and wants to strengthen their neighborhood to apply.”
If you live on the Lower East Side, you’ll apply to join Community Board 3. You can find out more about the application process here. The application deadline is February 27. While it’s not required and if you haven’t attended a community board meeting before, we strongly suggest doing so before you apply. Here’s information about al of Community Board 3’s meetings in February.
In his campaign for borough president, Hoylman-Sigal said he would not appoint community board members who are registered lobbyists or staff members in the offices of elected officials. In the press release, it was explained that the new policy is meant to, “promote diversity and inclusion of underrepresented groups and communities and help ensure boards remain resident-driven and focused on community priorities.”
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 16 years old; live, work or attend school within the community board boundaries and, “meet applicable conflict of interest standards.”
