Manhattan Community Boards Seek New Members

MANHATTAN, NY — Applications to serve on one of Manhattan's 12 community boards as an appointee of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer are now open, the borough president's office announced this week.

Community Boards — advisory bodies made up of members of the public — are often a neighborhood's primary advocate on local issues such as transportation, land use and public safety. By drafting resolutions on issues affecting Manhattan's neighborhoods, the boards are able to influence the actions of local elected officials.

"The volunteers who serve on Community Boards come from all walks of life and have all kinds of skills, but what they all have in common is a zeal for improving their neighborhoods and making government work for their communities," Brewer said in a statement.

Community Board members serve staggered two-year terms. Applications for the 2019-2021 term are currently open.

New Yorkers voted in favor of a revision to the city charter that will establish term limits for community board members. The ballot limits board members to four two-year terms, with implementation of the measure staggered to prevent a massive turnover at one time.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, according to the borough president's office.

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Applications can be submitted online or through a paper application. The application covers basic information about an applicant such as employment status and history, demographic information, past involvement with the community board and short-answer questions about local issues.

Serving on a Community Board is a big time commitment. Each Community Board member serves for two years and in addition to going to a monthly board meeting is expected to join at least two of the board's subcommittees.

Don't know which Community Board represents your neighborhood? Check out this map:

Photo by Brendan Krisel/Patch