Brooklyn's 18 community boards have opened their application process for new members.
The hyperlocal boards typically have up to 50 non-salaried members who make decisions around land-use and zoning, liquor licensing, ... and generally help residents navigate any issues occurring in their area. Members, who must live, work or have a special interest in the district, are selected by the borough president and local council member.
During the pandemic, in which meetings were forced online, community boards saw a large uptick in interest and attendance as residents were increasingly able and interested in getting involved with local civics. Noel Hidalgo, executive director of BetaNYC, which supported a number of city community boards in their transition online, told Brooklyn Paper some community board meetings that would normally have 100 people in a room went to have a couple of hundred people consistently coming to full board meetings.
"There were a few contentious community board meetings where there were over 1,000 people in attendance."
I encourage all Brooklynites who are able (especially our youth) to apply for their community boards and get involved in helping our borough recover from the devastation of COVID-19.
Applications for 2020 appointments/reappointments are open until 2/12. https://t.co/WzRvDuiQqY
— Eric Adams (@BKBoroHall) January 4, 2021
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams urged all Brooklynites eligible to apply for their community board to do so, "and get involved to help our borough recover from the devastation of COVID-19." This now includes younger residents too, with Brooklyn's board standards now allowing for members as young as 16.
