How to Break into Politics & Shape the Next City Council

Workshop for NYC Community Leaders

Getting Started: A Quick Overview of this Presentation

1. The Leadership / Resource Gap

2. Public Service Opportunities in New York City

3. How Grassroots Initiative Can Help You Break into Politics

4. Wrap Up & Next Steps

The Leadership / Resource Gap

An ultra-simplified look at problem solving…

If you want to solve a problem, there are (at least) two critical elements.

The Leadership / Resource Gap

Across New York, it is the tireless leaders of community groups,

block associations and faith-based institutions who are the “go-to” people when community residents need help.

1. There is no shortage of community leadership

The Leadership / Resource Gap

Our federal, state and local government has a combined budget of more than $5,000,000,000,000 / year

2. There is no shortage of available resources

That’s enough money to buy a health care plan for every single person in the world

The Leadership / Resource Gap

In New York City, our annual budget is about $59 billion / year – that’s larger

than 46 of 50 states

2. There is no shortage of available resources

This includes roughly $450 million in discretionary funds available to City Council members for neighborhood and citywide projects

The Leadership / Resource Gap

Unfortunately, we’re not doing a very good job of linking the pieces

Why the Disconnect?

In the simplest terms, there is a shortage of community leaders filling political and public offices

Oftentimes, these individuals don’t run for office simply

because they aren’t asked

Moreover, many don’t know where to start or they feel the obstacles are too great

So…where do we start?

Three categories of public service opportunities:

More than 30,000 positions

Public Service Opportunities

Appointed Positions: Entry Points for Community Service

Community Board

Neighborhood Advisory Board

Community Action Board

Precinct Community Council

Community Education Council

Public Service Opportunities

Political Positions: Gateway to “Insider” Politics

County Committee Members

District Leaders

State Committee Members

Understanding Political Party Structures

Understanding Political Party Structures

County Committee Seats as a “Stepping Stone”

Provides practical experience navigating electoral process

Low risk: no financial or significant time commitment

Has significant power in numbers

Gives individuals a platform for leadership

Map of Vacancies in NYC Democratic Party

County Committees

More than 13,000 Vacant Positions

Public Service Opportunities

Public Offices

Significant power and budgetary influence

Term-limited for NYC municipal offices

6-to-1 matching funds available for NYC municipal elections

State Assembly & State Senate elections are held every two years

2009 NYC Elections: An Unprecedented Opportunity

36 of 51 City Council seats will be vacant due to term limits

How Grassroots Initiative Can Help

Collaborating on outreach efforts to encourage new

candidates in your community

Offering candidates publicly- subsidized campaign materials & voter lists to

more effectively target voters

Providing free technical assistance & materials on the

process of running for office

Wrap Up & Next Steps

There has never been a better time to mobilize your community and shape the city’s public policy

There are a range of options; but you have to take the first step

to get more involved

It isn’t difficult to build your political clout, especially through uncontested races like County Committee

Wrap Up & Next Steps

The petitioning period for County Committee in Manhattan begins

in June 2009; City Council campaigns are already underway

If you know individuals who would be good candidates, pass along this information

If you’re interested in running for office or learning more, send an

email to info@gograssroots.org