Queens Community Boards Now Accepting Applications

QUEENS, NY — Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee is looking for new neighborhood voices to join the borough's 14 community boards.

The city charter directs the borough president to appoint all community board members in that borough, though half are nominated by local City Council representatives.

"Civic engagement is a hallmark of our borough and city governance is only strengthened by the residents across Queens who make their voices heard and represent their neighborhoods and communities," Lee said in a statement.

"Government is more effective and accountable when it works in close partnership with active, dedicated residents and relies on them for their insights and broad expertise," she added.

What do community board members do?

New York City's 59 community boards each hold monthly meetings with all their members and hearings on specific issues, like the proposal to build a new jail in Kew Gardens.

Community board members advise on local land use and zoning issues, the city budget and many hyperlocal issues, such as restaurant liquor licenses. They also put together lists of the district's most pressing budgetary needs each fiscal year.

The upcoming round of community board members will serve two-year terms starting Monday, April 1, 2020. Members do not get paid.

How do I apply to serve on my community board?

The membership application is available online at queensbp.org/community-boards.

To be eligible, you must be a New York City resident over the age of 16 and live, work or have "a professional or other significant interest" in that community board's district.

The deadline for prospective and current members to submit completed, signed and notarized applications to the Borough President’s office is Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.

Each board has up to 50 members.