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How to Break into Politics & Shape the Next City Council Workshop for NYC Community Leaders
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 [email protected]
