Get Involved In Local Decision Making- Join Your Community Board!

Get Involved In Local Decision Making- Join Your Community Board!
Community Board 14 Vice-Chairman Ed Powell, left, Chairman Alvin Berk, and District Manager Shawn Campbell at Monday's meeting.
Community Board 14 Vice-Chairman Ed Powell, left, Chairman Alvin Berk, and District Manager Shawn Campbell.

Do you have opinions about issues like real estate development, traffic safety, the opening of new bars and restaurants, along with the overall future of our neighborhood?

If you are a New York City resident and passionate about your community, consider applying to become a Community Board Member. In order to qualify, you need to live in, work in, or have a professional interest in the board’s district to apply. Applications are due by February 15, 2016.

Community Board Members shoulder a serious responsibility, and the Borough President appoints all board members. The duties of a member — including healthy doses of time, energy, and effort — are both significant and satisfying.

In our area, we have two main community boards. Check the map on each board’s website as one neighborhood can be covered by two different boards.

Community Board 14: Greater Flatbush/Midwood, including Ditmas Park, Beverly Square East and West, Caton Park, Kenmore Terrace, and slivers of Kensington and East Flatbush.

Community Board 12: Kensington, Dahill, Borough Park and a portion of Midwood.

Board members serve a voluntary two-year staggered term commitment. There are over 18 community boards in Brooklyn with 50 non-salaried members on each board.

You can access the application online, or contact your City Council Member to take the next step towards membership. You can also get more information by contacting the Borough President’s Office at 718-802-3700.

Sarah Crean provided additional information.