COMMUNITY BOARD REFORM
Community boards are the heartbeat of our democracy. They are the core of our civic infrastructure. But we need to bring our borough’s community boards into the future. Our belief in the human capital of Queens calls for involving more residents into the process. We know the more of us who participate, the more likely we are to have success.
That is why we have begun transforming our community boards because we know they are vital to ensuring we vigilantly protect and improve our quality-of-life.
Community board members consistently have been crucial voices at the table. They are the “small d” democratic institutions, letting community members have a voice in the decisions that shape their neighborhoods.
We are thankful to the community leaders who volunteer their time to advance the neighborhoods they love. But in order for us to excel at greater heights, these boards need to better reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods they serve.
If you have ever attended a community board meeting, you know there needs to be a makeover from top to bottom. My office is spearheading several reforms that will not only empower the borough’s boards but will help deliver a level of transparency we desperately need.
That is why I am prioritizing four areas.
Board Diversity and Representation
Member Conduct
Public Engagement and Open Meetings
The Modernization of Board Bylaws
We deserve community board that reflect the people of Queens. I am committed to finally having our board memberships reflect the diversity of our borough’s population. Let’s get to work.