Neighborhood Advisory Boards (NAB) are important vehicles through which local community residents can participate in community development planning processes in New York City. Low-income neighborhoods that are designated as "needing community development activity" are called Neighborhood Development Areas (NDA), and are represented by NABs consisting of residents who are appointed by Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and elected officials. There is a citywide adjunct organization known as the Community Action Board, discussed in more detail later in this document, which advises the DYCD in the overall operation of this program.

NAB members are responsible for identifying the service needs of their local communities, a process which guides the City in its allocation of federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding to support community-based programs in areas such as education, employment, health, housing, immigrant services, senior citizen services and youth development. The NAB member selection process is designed to maximize community participation and is governed by the CSBG Program's Plan for the Restructure of Community Participation.

Each NAB may have up to 12 members, with up to six selected by DYCD and up to six nominated by public officials. The terms for NAB members are for three years. The following public elected officials may also nominate NAB members: City Council Members, State Assembly Members, State Senators, Members of Congress, and your Borough Presidents.

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis, so call DYCD to get an application at 1800-246-4646. Or, go to the DYCD website and download an application.

The Community Action Board (CAB) is the citywide body that oversees community initiatives in all boroughs and serves as a resource for policymaking efforts in the community development arena. The CAB membership includes 22 residents of low-income communities (elected by DYCD), 15 elected public officials, and eight representatives from the private sector. CAB members have a three-year term of service and are elected through a democratic selection process managed by DYCD.

CAB members participate in the development of program priorities and the selection of contractors that carry out program initiatives. CAB also oversees the administration of all CSBG Program policies adopted by DYCD. Members can provide input to DYCD to facilitate ongoing improvements. In addition, the CAB can make recommendations to the DYCD Commissioner regarding the removal of individual members of NABs, or the withdrawal of recognition from entire NABs.

Precinct Community Councils (PCC) are open to all members of the public and include residents, business owners, clergy, and civil rights groups. The goal is to encourage cooperation between civilians and police. Currently, there is a PCC in each precinct and patrol service area. The PCC is an effective way to build stronger relationships between local precincts and communities.

The PCC votes on issues they want the precinct to focus on. The PCC typically meet monthly with the precinct commander, where they present their views to the police officials.

There is no formal application process to join a PCC, you simply call your local police precinct (for precinct phone numbers, visit the PCC Homepage) and ask to be connected with the Community Affairs Department and request information about their monthly PCC meetings. The meetings are open to any member of the community. Ask to be registered to attend the monthly meeting, or simply show up.

After attending a few meetings, you will be allowed to vote on issues the PCC is working on. As a result, you become an active member of the PCC. Once an active voting member, you can seek more responsibility by holding one of the Executive Board offices.

The chief function of the Community Board (CB) is to serve as a vehicle for resolving citizen complaints as they relate to city government and the residents of the community. In addition, community boards serve an important advisory role regarding land use and zoning matters, transportation, budgets, and municipal service delivery, among other issues. There are 59 CBs throughout the city, each consisting of up to 50 unsalaried members. CB membership terms are limited. The term ends every two years, but members can be reappointed thereafter. Once a CB member you must serve one year in order to become an officer. A member who becomes an officer of the CB may not serve more than three consecutive terms as an officer.

CBs meet once each month to discuss and vote on community issues pertaining to their district. At these meetings, members raise and address a variety of community topics, including but not limited to the areas mentioned above. Each CB operates with a budget to hire a full-time district manager, secretarial staff and other staff, as deemed appropriate the CB. The staff is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the policy of the CB.

Meetings are open to the public, and a portion of each is reserved to hear from members of the public on issues of concern. When problems arise dealing with such city issues, the Community Board contacts and meets with the various city agencies to resolve the problems within the community. In addition to general CB meetings, members typically serve on at least one more specialized committee (i.e. education, land use, etc.)

There are 32 Community Education Councils (CEC) in New York City. Each CEC oversees a Community School District that includes public elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools. Each CEC has 11 voting members including nine parents of students in public elementary, intermediate and/or junior high schools in the district. There are two additional voting members who are appointed by the borough presidents and must be residents of or own or operate a business in the district. The community superintendent will also appoint a non-voting high school senior residing in the district that is an elected student leader. The Council members will be active for a two-year term of service. The President, Secretary and Treasurer of every Parent- and Parent-Teacher Association (PA/PTA) in the district select members.

There is also one Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE) and one Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS). The CCSE advises and comments on citywide special education services. Members of the CCSE are parents of students receiving citywide special education services. The CCHS advises and comments on educational policies involving public high schools in New York City. Members are parents of students in public high schools - one parent from each region.

Community Education Council members are representatives of the parents and community-at-large. Their role is to reflect the needs and wishes of the community regarding the education of the children within the district. Community Education Council members are consulted on many important matters, and in turn, must consult with parents. The Councils are responsible for promoting the achievement of educational standards and objectives and should establish a positive working relationship with the community superintendent and local instructional superintendents. Council members must hold quarterly meetings with PA/PTA officers and provide assistance to School Leadership Teams. Members also have a voice in establishing educational policy for the district and in evaluating the community superintendents and the local instructional superintendents. In addition, a Community Education Council member is responsible for approving zoning lines submitted by the community superintendent, consistent with the Chancellor's Regulations.

The election cycle for Community or Citywide Education Councils takes place from March-May every two years. In 2009, the application and election process is entirely online at www.powertotheparents.org. Interested parents can also contact local Parent Coordinators for an application or more information.

For more information visit the Community Education Council's website. If you have any questions please call (212) 374-2425 or contact your school's Parent Coordinator or your regional/district office.