About Community Boards

"Consider the needs of the district which it serves."
Through the City Charter, voters created the Community Boards as the initial step in New York City's governance process. The Charter broadly authorized each Board to "Consider the needs of the district which it serves." Each Board sets its own course of action based on local needs and opportunities. Their role and operation are presented in the following chapters.

1. Duties & Responsibilities

2. Board Membership

3. Community Board Committees

4. Relationships with other City Government Bodies

5. The Land Use Planning Processes (197 a – ULURP – Fair Share)

6. The Role of Community Boards in the City's Budget Process

7. Capital Project Development and Implementation

8. Community Boards & Community Districts - What's the Difference?

9. The District Service Cabinet

10. The Role of the District Manager

11. The Community Board in the City Charter (Chapter 70)

12. The Community District in the City Charter (Chapter 60)

13. History of the Community Boards and Community Districts

14. By Laws & Rules Community Board 3

While the concept of the Community Board looks spectacular on paper, they function in the community’s interest only to the extent that residents participate and guide them. There are many opportunities for public participation: at formal Public Participation Sessions before every monthly meeting, through participation and membership on committees, volunteer opportunities at the district office and public events, direct contact with Board members, and now through websites.

This work, About Community Boards, is licensed under a Creative Commons License.