Check out these awesome & informational videos made by the PB Youth Committee:

PB Youth: Introduction to the PB Process from Ilana Cohen on Vimeo.

PB Youth: Introduction to the PB Youth Committee in District 39 from Ilana Cohen on Vimeo.

PB Youth: Get Out the Vote from Ilana Cohen on Vimeo.

PB Youth 2017-18: The Next Cycle

The PB Youth Committee in District 39 met at Council Member Lander's 

office on Monday, August 21st to plan for the new PB cycle.

Welcome back to the PB Youth Blog - Cycle 7!

As you all know, the next PB Youth Meeting will take place tomorrow: Thursday, September 28th from 6:00-7:30pm. It will take place at the Windsor Terrace Library (160 E 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11218). Please note the change of location!

Recap from the Last Meeting...

After formalizing our PB Youth Committee Pledge outlining both the individual and group responsibilities of PB Youth, committee members discussed expanding the role of PB Youth for the next cycle. Members considered what projects to focus on, such as outreach to middle schools now that the voting age has been lowered to 11+ years old. The committee also began planning an Idea Collection Day of Action in which teens would run youth-oriented idea collection pop-up sites around the district, the tentative date for which is Sunday, October 8th.

PB Youth 2017-18...

Some of the goals agreed upon for the PB Youth Committee's work this year were to...

• Promote PB online through social media platforms and initiatives.
• Generate flyers and other branded content for the PB process.
• Coordinate a get-out-the-vote (GOTV) initiative that's student-specific.  
• Volunteer at District 39 PB events (neighborhood assemblies, etc.).

Looking forward to the Next Meeting....

During tomorrow’s meeting, we will be making short videos about the PB process and why PB Youth Committee members decided to get involved. There will be snacks, so invite your friends (even if they don’t live in district 39)!

Voting and Volunteering: The PB Youth Committee's Take on Vote Week

The year's PB Vote Week added new energy and engagement to the PB process. District 39's PB Youth Committee members spent the week volunteering at various poll sites, attending PB events, and promoting PB online.
Vote Week kicked off with an event at Grad Army Plaza on Saturday, March 23rd. A weekend of preliminary poll sites was followed by a rallying Get Organized BK meeting at Congregation Beth Elohim on Monday, March 25th. Council Member Lander welcomed Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Assemblyman Robert Carroll to the stage, as well as two out-of-town city council members, Greg Casar and Helen Gym, to speak to the importance of local democracy and contuning to push for progressive policies in the face of frustrating federal politics. The meeting culminated in seminars on a range of topics relating to social justice and activism. Committee members facilitated voting after the seminars, providing a unique action for meeting participants to take after empowering dialogues on political engagement.
"The neighborhood benefits not only from the [PB] projects, but also from the ability of everyone to meaningfully contribute, which was on full display at the voting sites," says Paul Broderick, who volunteered at the ChiPS shelter.
Chris Stauffer attended the first major event of Vote Week in District 39, the PB Expo, on Wednesday, March 25th to help organize voting. Projects were displayed in science fair-like fashion with colorful presentation boards to attract potential voters and show district residents what project implementation would look like. "The PB expo tonight was an amazing experience! Throughout the entire night, all of the project leaders presented their projects, and around 100 people voted, including many teenagers," recalls Chris.
Vote Weekend culminated in an action-packed weekend of pop-up voting. Ilana Cohen and Eliza Callahan spent Saturday at the Park Slope Library, where they welcomed visitors with PB ballots and voter affidavits in hand. By coincidence, the library was holding a book sale that day, which garnered not only a greater number of voters, but also a broader age-range of voters. The committee members were glad to see students their own age partaking in the process.
"Volunteering for PB Vote Week was a great way for me to become involved in my local community and get to know my neighbors and their concerns," explains Eliza.
"The best part about running the PB poll site was seeing people who were new to PB vote for the first time. Some people were unsure of whether they lived in the district or not and who their city council member was but even so, they took the time to learn about the PB process and cast their ballot," recalls Ilana Cohen. "That type of civic engagement is unique to local democracy, and it's a reminder that the power of voting--of having a voice--is not confined to federal politics."
"The vote engages not only those who come out specifically to vote, but also people who have never even heard of PB," adds Paul.
Ahnaf Bin Mahbub volunteered at P.S. 230. He says he had a great experience: "I was able to meet new people in my community and understand the different perspectives residents have about the neighborhood."
"We got a good amount of people to vote--we used up our ballots," says Claire, who did pop up voting at Greenwood Park. "I was also surprised to see the amount of people who said they had already voted online. And [many] had head of PB...whether they already voted online or had been meaning to get to it and were grateful we gave them the chance!"
The members are eager to continue their work in the next PB cycle and expand the committee's membership. Many are reflecting upon this year's GOTV efforts and considering potential improvements for the next PB cycle.
"PB was a great new experience. It really opened my eyes up to what I could do to contribute to my community through local government," says Lara Schuman. "I hope to become more involved next year in spreading the word about PB."

Check out the gallery below from Vote Week:

Park Slope Library

Power to the Students: Meet the PB Youth Committee Members

    

The PB Youth Committee reconvened at the Office of City Council Member Lander to plan GOTV efforts. 

     On Thursday, March 2nd, the PB Youth Committee met at the Office of City Council Member Brad Lander with a clear agenda: to get out the vote!

     The PB Youth Committee has leapt into action in the final month before Vote Week, the exciting culmination of the District 39's sixth PB Cycle. Youth members, serving as PB Youth Ambassadors to their respective schools and neighborhoods, are tapping into post-election sentiment, using PB as a platform by which to empower students and show that there is no age requirement necessary to effect change. Regardless of possessing the ability to vote in state or federal elections, teens can make a difference in their communities. And, of course, when national politics become increasingly frustrating, local democracy provides an essential means for many to have their voices heard.

     Meet the PB Youth Ambassadors of the PB Youth Committee below:

Ilana Cohen

Ilana Cohen is a junior at The Beacon School and a resident of Park Slope. She pursues her passion for government and public policy as a leader of her school's Model UN and Model Congress clubs, and her passion for journalism as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper The Beacon Beat. After working on youth outreach for the District 39 PB process as an intern at the Office of City Council Member Brad Lander last year, Ilana was appointed to her current role in the District Committee and helped found the PB Youth Committee.

"What amazes me most about the PB process is its inclusivity. The requirements for voter eligibility for PB are much more open than those for state and federal elections, giving many city residents who would otherwise never be able to cast a vote the opportunity to have their voices heard. This capability to empower is one that I feel is so ingrained in the work of the PB Youth Committee, which I hope will show teens around the district that they are not powerless in the chaos of the post-election political climate--that they have the ability to effect real change right now."

Chris Stuaffer

Chris Stauffer is a junior at Bard High School Early College in Manhattan and is from Park Slope. As a co-chair of the Youth Progressive Policy Group, Chris pursues his passion for expanding youth engagement in public policy and government. He also is on the leadership team of his school's Model UN team and is a captain of the track and field team. Chris became interested in PB last summer when he worked in Council Member Brad Lander's office, and is now dedicated to getting more youth involved in the process through the PB Youth Committee.

"I love the idea of allowing the community to decide what they need most--[PB] allows for everyone's voices to be heard. This process allows so many more people to get involved in their community, and help improve the quality of life for everyone!"

Eliza Callahan

Eliza Callahan is a junior at The Beacon School and lives in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. She is a member of the Beacon Reads book club and pursues dance outside of school. Eliza started working with the PB Youth Committee in 2016 after hearing about the amazing projects PB brings to the local community.

"I think the best part of PB is the sense of leadership it gives to youth. Teens work together with other teens and young adults to create and fund projects to better their own community. PB allows students to really show the community what they care about and their ideas for how to make [the district] a cleaner and more inclusive place."

Lara Schuman

Lara Schuman is a junior at Midwood and a resident of Park Slope. In addition to being a peer tutor and a writer for Midwood's Argus, Lara is a dedicated athlete, pursuing both tae kwon do and soccer. Lara learned about PB through her friends and decided to join the PB Youth Committee this year to become more involved in the process.

"Being a part of the PB Youth Committee has allowed me to learn more about local democracy, and made me feel like more of a part of the community. I hope to help improve our neighborhoods and make a difference in the district."

Ahnaf Bin Mahbub

Ahnaf Bin Mahbub is a resident of Kensington and a senior at Al Madinah High School. He has experience in various forms of community service, ranging from phone banking for Bernie Sanders and Bill de Blasio to community street cleaning. Ahnaf enjoys his new role as a PB Youth Ambassador for the PB Youth Committee.

“For me, Participatory Budgeting is the perfect opportunity to give everybody a chance to vote. Unlike in state and federal elections, residents are able to vote with few restrictions. PB allows hidden voices to be heard and more change to develop within a community. With the comprehensiveness of PB, people of all ages--especially teenagers--have the opportunity to make a difference.”

Paul Broderick

Paul is a graduate of the Institute for Collaborative Education in Manhattan and a current freshman at NYU, where he has a major in Political Science. Raised in Kensington, Paul interned in Council Member Brad Lander’s office in the Spring of 2016, where he coordinated the volunteer workforce and GOTV efforts for that year’s PB Vote Week. He remains committed to engaging District 39 and neighboring communities in the PB process as part of the PB Youth Committee.

"How often does it seem like elected officials get themselves lost in the bureaucratic cloud of government and lose touch with some of their constituents’ most critical needs? PB allows constituents to take back command of their own tax dollars--something everyone on the political spectrum can appreciate. Most importantly, it brings local democracy back to its roots.”

Naimul Islam

Naimul Islam is currently in his last semester at Brooklyn College and resides in Kensington. He is an avid reader, poet, an activist and a youth leader for minority groups. In addition to working with several local non-profits in his community, Naimul is a facilitator for the GetOrganizedBK Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism group. He learned about Participatory Budgeting from City Council Member Brad Lander’s staff and became involved in the PB Youth Committee last year.

“The PB process gives an opportunity for neglected and underprivileged communities to curate ideas to make an impact. The youth who live in these communities are the ones who know more than anyone else about their communities' needs. PB gives them a chance to figure out the problems we face and create programs to benefit the past, the present and the future of our communities.”

Claire Foley

Claire Foley is a resident of Kensington and a student at the Bard High School Early College in Queens. In her free time, Claire takes ballet, pointe, and modern dance classes, peer tutors, and serves as a member of the World Science Academy club at her school. Claire joined the PB Youth Committee this year and is proud to serve as a PB Youth Ambassador.

"I joined the PB Youth Committee because I love my neighborhood so much that I think of it as an extension of my own home, and so I think working on improving my neighborhood with other people who also love the neighborhoods they live in is a really valuable way to spend my time. My favorite part about PB is being able to meet so many different people with so many different backgrounds, who all come together for the sole purpose of improving the community we live in."

For more info on how you can become involved in the PB Youth Committee, use the contact form on the blog to send us an email!

Teen Change-Makers: The Beginning of the First PB Youth Committee in District 39

At the first PB Youth Committee meeting, teens discussed what project ideas seemed worth pursuing in the PB process. 

     On Monday, October 24th, a group of local teens, District Committee members, and community activists gathered in the Kensington Library to discuss potential project proposals in the first meeting of this year’s PB Youth Committee. The formation of the first PB Youth Committee in District 39 is not only symbolic of PB's increasing popularity and success across the district, but is an emblem of the youth voice that has long been missing from the process. Now, a group of engaged high school and college students are eager to contribute to their communities through focusing their work in PB around inclusivity and diversity--hoping to unite district youth from varying backgrounds. 

The meeting began with a round of introductions, in which PB Youth Committee members shared their names, neighborhoods, and interests in the PB process. This segued into a larger discussion about the ideas proposed in the previously held PB Youth Assembly to determine which could be developed into larger PB projects. Some ideas were deemed not feasible due to logistical challenges involving the scale of the ideas and the level of dependency on city agencies needed to implement them. After eliminating the ideas that were not feasible, teens honed in ones they believed had the potential to both improve the community and meet the requirements for project development. Many voiced support for programming that could lead to the establishment of a community center-like network of courses in place of a physical community center, which could be more difficult to develop. Teens discussed what types of programs were most needed by a majority of district residents. Such programs proposed included an English-language learning course for immigrant communities, a poetry workshop, music programs at P.S. 230, a “steps to success course” for high school students, and a coding class. 

"It was exciting to hear all the ideas people from around the community had," says Chris Stauffer, a PB Youth Committee member and high school student from Park Slope. "Having the youth be involved in the [PB] process will not only allow the youth to have a voice, but [will] also allow younger people to have a direct influence in their community and see their own ideas implemented."

Committee members’ ideas reflected many of the core values of the PB process. A focus on equity, or ensuring that projects' reach extended into the different communities that comprise District 39, was prevalent throughout the meeting. Teens questioned how to best serve immigrant communities--particularly those in Kensington--that may not have as many delegates already involved in the PB process as other neighborhoods do. This also entailed an emphasis on diversity, and creating projects intended to unite district residents from different backgrounds. Even simply bringing teens from across the district together in this committee was a step towards achieving this goal. Of course, sharing youth voice was another staple of the teens' ideas. PB is a unique process in the opportunity it provides for youth to participate in local democracy, and the PB Youth Committee takes advantage of that unique opportunity in an effort to effect change through the power of youth. 

"Everyone deserves a chance to make a positive change in the world and the societies around them, but [not] everyone [gets] the opportunity to do so," says Mushfique Elahi, a PB Youth Committee member and high school student from Kensington. "PB has given me the environment to voice my own opinions and thoughts [on] what I can do for my community for the better."

Through monthly committee meetings and online communication via email and Facebook, PB Youth Committee members are not only developing project proposals that they believe will improve their communities, but are employing new means of doing so. Ideas for social media campaigns and mobilizing other high school and college students in committee members' schools and neighborhoods provide a unique channel for youth energy that can help expand the reach of the PB process. As the PB cycle continues, the PB Youth Committee promises a new kind of engagement in local democracy in the form of teens pushing for their vision of a more inclusive and connected District 39 community.  

Teens Take Action: A Synopsis of the PB Youth Assembly

     On Tuesday, September 27th, a passionate group of high school and college students from around District 39 attended a Participatory Budgeting Youth Assembly. From learning about PB to brainstorming their own ideas, attendees engaged in various aspects of the process in order to get a taste of what PB participation entails. Many left with a newfound sense of community engagement and enthusiasm about the potential establishment of a PB Youth Committee.

The PB Youth Assembly began with a presentation by District Committee members about the PB process.

The Assembly's Agenda

     Beginning with a presentation on the PB process, assembly participants learned about the various stages of the PB cycle. District Committee members reviewed the difference between capital and expense projects, as well as the goals of equity and civic engagement that remain at the core of PB. Teens asked questions about the feasibility of varying project ideas, the impact of PB on the neighborhoods served by the process, and the success of past PB cycles to familiarize themselves with the process and their newly established role in such. After brainstorming ideas for potential project proposals, the teens voted on their favorites and discussed why they believed the "winning" projects were deserved of government funding. Towards the end of the night, Council Member Lander addressed the crowd, speaking to the power of youth to effect change and the importance of local democracy within the larger workings of the nation's government.

Following the presentation, teen participants formed working groups and brainstormed ideas for PB project proposals. 

     Hasiba Haq, a newly appointed District Committee member and one of the leading organizers of the PB Youth Assembly, was particularly impressed by the large turnout of teen participants: "A lot of the time, I think what you notice at the [PB neighborhood] assemblies is that [they are] not as inclusive and diverse as you want [them] to be...It's important to engage people who don't always show up to these things or are aware of [them]...Especially with the youth here, it's really nice to see that they're from different neighborhoods and backgrounds."
    Many of the teen participants shared Hasiba's views. "PB is a really cool way to get together with other teens and young adults and make important changes in the community," says PB Youth Assembly participant Eliza Callahan, a high school junior from Carroll Gardens. Eliza found the assembly to be "really welcoming and engaging." After seeing how PB can serve as a powerful outlet for youth voices at the assembly, she has become eager to partake in a PB Youth Committee.

Teens Talk PB

    Among the most popular ideas for PB project proposals at the assembly was the development of a community center for teens of District 39. Such a center would not only allow teens of all different backgrounds from across the district to interact in a safe and accessible environment, but provide a unique location for after school arts programming and community engagement. Holding a district-wide internship and careers fair for students was another popular idea, as participants believed that more teens would strive for such opportunities if they were more informed about them. More winning projects included the establishment of "blue phone" police contact stations around parks and Subway stations, the creation of art galleries for local artists to display and sell their work in public libraries, and placing more trash cans along Ocean Parkway.
    Equity played an enormous role in teens' brainstorming sessions. Many popular project proposals were community-oriented, as participants prioritized the accessibility of PB for residents from all parts of the district. There was also an emphasis on teen voice and empowering high school and college students to share their opinions about government and democracy by facilitating dialogues on national issues in safe community spaces.

How Youth can Stay Involved

     To assembly participants and other teens interested in becoming more involved in the PB process, there are many ways for you to engage with PB. First, consider joining the PB Youth Committee, from which you can voice your ideas for neighborhood improvements and work with fellow teens to see them through. You should also check out upcoming PB events, which provide unique opportunities to interact with experienced PB participants and meet residents from across District 39. Moreover, there are numerous opportunities to volunteer at PB events throughout the cycle, particularly during Vote Week. And of course, make sure to vote! The voting age for PB is 14 years and up; regardless of whether you can vote in the General Election or whether you are a citizen, all district residents who meet this age requirement have the unique opportunity to vote in PB. And lastly, reaching out to all sects of District 39 is a primary goal of PB, so spread the word about the process and get your community involved!

Teens were particularly interested in establishing after school arts programming for high school students. 

The Start of Something New: Preparing for the 6th PB Cycle in District 39

     As fall begins, so does the start of District 39's sixth Participatory Budgeting cycle! Following an impressive voter turnout last spring (3100 voters--the highest turnout for District 39 yet), the support base for PB continues to grow. The emphasis on civic engagement and the opportunity to participate in a prime example of local democracy, all the while working to make a difference in your neighborhood, makes PB an incredibly unique and rewarding experience. As a newly appointed District Committee member, I'm eager to see what this year's PB cycle has in store.

A Review of the PB Process:
 
    The PB process begins with idea collection--a phase we will enter in the coming weeks. At district events and neighborhood assemblies, district residents can share their visions for neighborhood improvements. Past examples of project ideas include renovations for bathrooms in a public elementary school and the creation of a dog park in a vacant lot.
    Next comes the actual project development. Once categorical committees are formed with budget delegates and facilitators, project ideas will be narrowed down and the top picks will be developed into formal proposals. City agencies will provide feedback on the feasibility of these proposals and after final modifications, there will be a Project Expo intended to showcase all the potential PB projects to the public. Soon after comes Vote Week, in which district residents ages 14 and up will have the chance to determine which projects make the final cut and are funded by Council Member Brad Lander.
     The District Committee, which works in coordination with the Office of Council Member Lander, oversees the PB process. This group of dedicated PB participants takes on many tasks, among them organizing and hosting PB-related events, coordinating outreach to various District 39 communities, sometimes doubling as PB committee facilitators and liaisons, and coordinating Get Out the Vote efforts. With the addition of several new members this year, the District Committee is eager to expand the reach of our sixth PB cycle in District 39.

New Cycle Brings New Goals:

    Youth engagement is among the core goals of the District Committee this year. Inspired by last year's creation of the District 39 PB Youth Group, there will be another youth assembly held in late September to encourage more high school students to get involved in the PB process. Particularly for those not of legal age to vote in official elections, PB offers a unique opportunity for teens to have their voices heard and effect change in their neighborhood.
    Reaching a broader base of ethnic communities is another essential goal of this year's PB cycle. Equity is an important part of PB, as residents of all neighborhoods in District 39 are entitled to equal access to PB and to the communal rewards that can be reaped from the process. An emphasis on the inclusivity of PB, specifically through hosting neighborhood assemblies and other PB-related events in more diverse communities, helps to ensure that the equity PB is intended to foster is achieved.

How to Get Involved:

    Whether you're a veteran of PB or a newcomer looking to join, the idea collection phase is the ideal place to start in on the process. You can attend a PB event to submit an idea or even submit an idea online (go to http://ideas.pbnyc.org/page/about). In addition, neighborhood assemblies offer great opportunities to not only share your thoughts, but interact with residents from around the district. Later in the process, you can join a PB committee and contribute to the development of project proposals from their infancies to being ballot-ready! But remember, the amazing thing about PB is that you define your time commitment. The process is open to all who want to participate for as much as they want to participate in.
     There are also many ways in which to become more informed about what exactly the PB process entails. Websites like that of Council Member Brad Lander (http://bradlander.nyc/PB), the New York City Council (http://labs.council.nyc/pb/), and the Participatory Budgeting Council (http://www.participatorybudgeting.org/) provide detailed information on PB. And of course, this blog can also be a resource to provide you with updates throughout the District 39 PB cycle.

   With a new year of PB comes a new opportunity to become involved in this great process--so don't be shy! Share your ideas for neighborhood improvements and join a team of passionate district residents in envisioning and developing projects that will benefit our District 39 community.


The dates and locations for District 39's upcoming neighborhood assemblies are listed below:

PBNYC Assembly at Carroll Gardens Library

Focus on Arts and Education

Monday, September 19th

6:30 p.m.

396 Clinton St. (near Union St.), Brooklyn, NY

RSVP here: http://bradlander.nationbuilder.com/pbnyc2016assembly1?utm_campaign=pbassem16pastin&utm_medium=email&utm_source=bradlander

PBNYC Assembly at Park Slope Library

Focus on Streets & Transit, Parks, and the Environment

Thursday, September 22

6:30 p.m.

431 6^th Ave. (near 9^th St.), Brooklyn, NY

RSVP here: http://bradlander.nationbuilder.com/pbnyc2016assembly2?utm_campaign=pbassem16pastin&utm_medium=email&utm_source=bradlander

PBNYC Assembly at PS 230

Wednesday, September 28

6:30 pm

1 Albemarle Rd (btw Dahill Rd. and McDonald Ave), Brooklyn, NY

RSVP here: http://bradlander.nationbuilder.com/pbnyc2016assembly3?utm_campaign=pbassem16pastin&utm_medium=email&utm_source=bradlander