Community board member in the Rockaways urges more young people to join

An unidentified community board member from the Rockaways said serving on the board has exposed them to a range of neighborhood perspectives and that their top priority this year is to recruit more young people to join the board.

“My favorite part of being a community board member is probably being able to see different perspectives from around my neighborhood,” the community board member said, adding that representing the Rockaways does not mean they share everyone’s views. They described learning, after joining, that there was “a lot about the Rockaways” they were not in tune with despite having lived there their entire life.

The speaker framed board service as a practical avenue for residents who want to effect change: “A great way to be a driving force ... is to join your local community board and be able to vote with your own opinion,” they said. They acknowledged that younger residents may find participation intimidating but urged them to get involved, saying, “My number 1 goal as a community board member this year is to influence a lot of younger individuals to be a part of the community board.”

The remarks emphasize civic engagement at the neighborhood level rather than a specific policy proposal or formal board action. No motions or votes were recorded in the transcript. The speaker presented their experience and a recruitment goal; they did not identify themselves by name in the transcript.

The community board member said the board provides exposure to experiences and viewpoints that residents may not encounter in day-to-day life, which they described as valuable context for board decision-making. They urged younger generations to contribute their perspectives so the board’s decisions reflect a broader cross-section of the neighborhood.

Because the transcript contains a single speaker statement and no formal actions, there are no recorded outcomes or next procedural steps in the record. The speaker indicated their own next step is to focus on outreach to younger residents this year.