Some reasons to get involved with the Council, Associations, City and County government.  It all touches our lives in one way or another.

GET YOUR VOICE HEARD

Though you can’t vote on matters up for discussion or agenda, you can voice any opinion you have during the proceedings. Better yet, get involve and join one or two of the committees or boards in the City and County (of Sarasota Florida) Doesn’t matter where you live, your city and county government websites will have a posting of any and all Committees and Boards.

HELP REPRESENT ALL PEOPLE

Do you love your neighborhood? Do you plan to stick around? Having the investment of your time would be worth it in the long run. It is always a good feeling to be part of the change.

MEET YOUR REPRESENTATIVES 

What is more effective than weighing in on a board vote voicing your opinion to a City Council representative with a piece of your mind directly.

KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD 

—or isn’t—before anyone else. Board’s decisions often help shape the social scene of any neighborhood.

HAVING A BETTER HANDLE ON THE LOCAL POLITICS

You may say you don’t do politics, politics touches us all in one way or another. When you are attending these meetings you get a deeper insight into local government workings.  You become more aware of how proposals move through the various departments interacting with one another. By being involved, you and others can stop what you don’t want in your communities.

YOU BECOME PART OF THE IMPACT ON YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD 

Some of the greatest opportunities while having political involvement is during participatory budgeting.  This is when all residents are allowed to help determine how funds will be distributed in their neighborhoods. 

Here in Sarasota, Florida one of the most diverse communities is the NEWTOWN area.  We are in the Congressional District 16. Looking at both the County and City (of Sarasota), you can see which Citizen Advisory Committees/Boards are out there.  Because of the Florida Sunshine Law, all meetings are Public and advertised beforehand. 

To get on a committee or board, find one of interest and apply.  The Resident Council Board members have two who are active on several as of this date. Come and join us, there are still vacancies.