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In the city of New York there are 59 Community Boards. The Bronx has 12.

The Boards consist of up to 50 members of the community, most of whom have shown an interest in community work and improvement efforts in the past through involvement in local, civic, community or business organizations. They are unsalaried volunteers, serving with no compensation whatsoever.

Each Board operates within a budget. This budget is used to hire a full-time district manager, secretarial staff and other staff as the Board deems appropriate. Sometimes special grants from the state allow for special services. The staff of the Community Board is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the policy of the Board.

The chief function of the Community Board is to serve as a vehicle for resolving citizen complaints as it relates to city government and the residents of the community.

When problems arise dealing with such city services as policing, street lights, parks use, sanitation, traffic or the fire department, housing, planning, senior citizens, environment, and youth services, the Community Board contacts and meets with the various city agencies to resolve the problems within the community.

Boards meet once each month. At these meetings, members address items of concern to the community. Board meetings are open to the public, and a portion of each meeting is reserved for the Board to hear from members of the public. In addition, Boards regularly conduct public hearings-on the City's budget, on land use matters, and other major issues-to give the people of the community the opportunity to express their opinions. 

Any problem which affects part or all of the community, from a traffic
problem to deteriorating housing, is a proper concern of a
Community Board.

Board committees do most of the planning and work on the issues that are acted on at Board meetings. Each Board establishes the committee structure and procedures it feels will best meet the needs of its district.