Join as a Public or Full Board Member

Community Boards are only as open-minded and effective as the people who sit on them. That's why we encourage livable streets advocates to join their boards and help make life better for New York City's millions of cyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.

Residents can join their board as either a public member or a full board member. Public members are allowed to speak at committee meetings, but may or may not be able to vote at meetings (depending on the rules of the board). To join as a public member, simply call your board and find out how. All that is usually required is attendance at several consecutive meetings.

Full members vote at both the committee and full board meetings and are required to attend 1-2 meetings each month. The application and nomination process for full board members is different in each borough:

Bronx

Bronx applicants must apply by February 2010. Applicants will be interviewed by a member of the Borough President's staff. For any questions, call Thomas Lucania at the Borough President's office at (718) 590-3500.

The application, instructions and details on Bronx Community Boards are available here: bronxboropres.nyc.gov/en/gv/community/index.htm

Brooklyn

Brooklynites may apply for Community Board membership throughout the year, but are encouraged to submit their application in early January for an appointment in the same year. The Borough President's office reviews applications between February and March. Although the process may vary, applicants should generally expect to speak with a staff member from the Borough President's office. If you're appointed to your Board, you will be notified before April. Don't forget to notarize your application!

The application, instructions and details on Brooklyn Community Boards are available here: brooklyn-usa.org/Pages/Community_Board/getinvolved.htm

Manhattan

The Manhattan Borough President's Office looks for applicants with histories of involvement in their communities, expertise and skill sets that are needed or otherwise helpful to Community Boards, and at candidates who have attended a local board meeting and have an understanding of how boards work. These applications are reviewed and evaluated by the independent Community Board Reform Committee, instituted by Manhattan Borough President Stringer as part of his Community Board revitalization effort. Candidates recommended by this committee will be interviewed by two members of the Borough President's staff. Applications are due by January 2010 and all appointees will be notified by April 1, 2010.

The application, instructions and details on Manhattan Community Boards are available here: mbpo.org/free_details.asp?id=64

Queens

Queens residents must apply by January 2010. Historically, applicants are not interviewed and may not be notified of appointment. It's recommended that applicants be in close contact with Karen Koslowitz at the Borough President's office and their local Community Board to track the progress of their application. Karen can be reached at (718) 286-2900. Don't forget to notarize your application!

The Queens Borough President's webpage on Community Boards: queensbp.org/content_web/CB/cb_new.shtml

The 2010 Application (this is normally sent to you in the mail):

• Queens CB application Side 1 (PDF)
• Queens CB application Side 1 (PDF)

Staten Island

Applications for Staten Island Community Boards are due by May 2010. For any questions, please call 718-816-2000. Application does not need to be notarized.

The application is located here: statenislandusa.com/pdf/CommunityBoardApplication.pdf (PDF)