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