Community Board Applications Are Open! Through February 23

By The Office of the Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine

The Office of the Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine announced the opening of applications for local community boards.

Community boards are the independent and representative voices of their communities—the most grass-roots form of local government.

The boards are pivotal in shaping their communities and work to enhance and preserve the character of the city’s many unique neighborhoods

Community boards consider a wide range of issues, including distribution of liquor licenses, consideration of sidewalk café applications, and permits for street fairs and other outdoor events. They also advise on issues before the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Board of Standards and Appeals (the city agency dedicated to land-use and zoning regulation), and provide input on proposals from city agencies.

Manhattan’s 12 community boards are composed of 50 volunteer members serving staggered two-year terms – thus, 25 members are appointed (or reappointed) each year.

Members are officially appointed by the Manhattan Borough President. Half of the members of these boards are selected unilaterally by the Manhattan Borough President, and half are nominated by the City Council Members whose districts overlap with the Community District.

Community board members must live, work, or have an otherwise significant interest in the neighborhoods served by the community district, and be a New York City resident. The Borough President looks for applicants with histories of community involvement, expertise, skill sets, and attendance at board meetings. No more than 25 percent of the members of any board may be New York City employees.

Prospective members must submit a biography or resume and complete a comprehensive online application explaining why they want to join the board, what skills they offer, and their relationship to their districts. These applications are reviewed and evaluated by an independent screening panel. Qualified applicants are interviewed on the panel’s recommendation by staff members of the Manhattan Borough President’s office.

Appointments are based on the application, panel recommendation, and interviews.

Current community board members seeking to continue their service are required to fill out a re-application form prior to the expiration of their term. Reappointment is not guaranteed. Re-applying members are subject to the same application process as prospective members but are automatically granted interviews. Members must continue to demonstrate a significant interest in their community board, the ability to make the required time commitment, and a track record of constructive participation.

Go online at manhattanbp.nyc.gov.