The deadline to apply to Borough President Scott Stringer’s office to become a Manhattan community board member is coming up next week on Jan. 18. After that date, applications can still be submitted but will be kept on file to fill vacancies that may arise mid-term.
The competition is always stiff, but Stringer’s office reports on their info page that they expect it to be especially tense this year with at least three applicants for each of the open spots that must be filled this year. Half of Manhattan’s 600 community board seats are appointed each year, on April 1.
On Lower Manhattan’s Community Board 1, 25 of its 50 slots are up for renewal. Councilmember Margaret Chin recommends half of the appointees to Stringer, who has the final say on all 50.
The borough president’s website gives information on how to apply and what will be considered when making the selections.
In order to be eligible, applicants must be residents of New York City and must have a residence, business or some other special interest in that community board’s coverage area. The B.P. also makes decisions in favor of those who have been involved extensively in their communities, have skills that would benefit the board, have a history of community board meeting attendance and know about of the community’s concerns in that area.
Stringer also repeatedly encourages applicants to attend their local community board meetings and reminds applicants that membership is a significant time commitment, as members are expected to not only come to the meetings but to be “active, involved and maintain a record of good attendance,” according to the membership application.
Current community board members are also required to reapply by Jan. 18, and are guaranteed an interview, though not reappointment.
For more information, visit the “community board” section of www.mbpo.org.
