How to Get Involved in Local Politics in Queens, New York
Whether you are a concerned citizen or an aspiring politician, getting involved in local politics is a way to simultaneously impact your community and learn how government works. There are vast opportunities in Queens, depending on your level of commitment. You can get involved through official New York City government channels or via independent political groups. Use the Web to find the opportunities out there.
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Instructions
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Locate your Community Board. According to nyc.gov, community boards are local representative bodies that meet monthly, and discuss matters that affect local neighborhoods, such as zoning and the city budget. There are usually committees within each community board that handle specific issues. Community boards are a part of the Community Affairs Unit which reports to the New York City mayor. To find your specific community board, go to nyc.gov, the official website for New York City, and click on the drop-down menu on the left under the line that reads "Jump to City Agency Web sites." Select "Community Board List" and click the link for Queens on the next page. The boards will be listed along with the neighborhoods they represent, contact information and the meeting schedule.
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Attend events at the office of the Queens borough president, which is located in Kew Gardens. For example, you can attend a public hearing about land use. Various departments include Economic Development, Education and Libraries, Housing and others. See the event calendar posted on queensbp.org, the borough president's Web site.
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Locate the city council member for your neighborhood. There are 14 city council members representing Queens. Go to the page of the official city council Web site located at council.nyc.gov and click on the "Council Members" tab on the left. Enter your address to find the council member who represents you. Each member has a district office, and many of them send updates to community members via e-mail newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletters and learn about the issues that affect your community. You can inquire about volunteering for a campaign the next time the council seat is open.
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Use social media. Facebook subscribers, for instance, can search for political groups related to political parties or specific issues affecting Queens. Join one of these groups to find out more about what's happening politically in Queens.
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References
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