Civic Engagement New York

Technology for Mass Engagement

Hosted by: [The AIA NY Social Science and Architecture Committee](https://www.aiany.org/committees/social-science-architecture-committee/) In Partnership with: [PLASTARC](https://plastarc.com/) New technologies are reshaping how communities participate in decisions about the built environment, creating new opportunities to broaden who is engaged, how people contribute, and how public input informs planning and design. With the launch of Mayor Mamdani's[ Office of Mass Engagement](https://www.nyc.gov/content/organize/pages/), New York City is investing in new approaches to civic participation and exploring how technology can support more inclusive, accessible, and responsive engagement at scale. This conversation will bring together leaders in civic technology, community engagement, and the built environment to explore the tools, platforms, and methodologies transforming public participation. From digital engagement platforms and participatory technologies to new approaches for collecting, interpreting, and acting on community feedback, panelists will examine how technology can strengthen the connection between communities and the decisions that shape their environments. The discussion will consider the opportunities and challenges of technology-enabled civic participation, and what emerging models of mass engagement mean for architects, planners, policymakers, and the communities they serve. **Hear from the Innovators Ready for the OME:** * **[inCitu](https://www.incitu.us/):** Democratizing city planning by bringing urban development to life through spatial data and Augmented Reality (AR)—allowing residents to literally see the future of their neighborhoods. * **[Convoca](https://convoca.org/):** Innovating at the intersection of civic tech and community organizing to mobilize the public and break down the traditional barriers to local agency. * **[Urban Sense](https://www.urbansense.city/):** Using technology and urban data to better understand how people experience and engage with cities, creating new opportunities to inform more responsive, people-centered planning and decision-making. * **[PLASTARC](https://plastarc.com/):** Leveraging social science and data-driven spatial strategy to design environments that inherently foster human connection and participatory experiences. **Event Details:** * Registration: Opening soon! **Stay Tuned:** We are currently finalizing the details for this exciting tech refresh. Keep an eye on the AIA NY Social Science and Architecture Committee and [register at AIA NY](https://calendar.aiany.org/day/2026-9-15/). **Why You Should Attend:** As cities seek more meaningful ways to engage communities, technology is reshaping how residents participate in planning, policymaking, and the design of the built environment. This event brings together architects, urbanists, civic leaders, and technology innovators to explore the platforms, methods, and emerging practices driving this transformation. Expect an evening of dynamic presentations highlighting civic technology, data driven engagement, and innovative approaches to gathering and acting on community input. Through case studies and discussion, speakers will examine how these tools can help create more inclusive, transparent, and responsive processes for shaping New York City's future.

Blktivity Community Picnic + Singles Mingle

BRONX volunteers needed

Desert and food events for low income families in the Bronx, and other recipients that need help throughout NY. Every Thursday - Saturday during January and February. Welcome Tasters and Admin assistance. For your help, you will be treated too! RSVP via meetup for location and further information before spots fill up!

Bi-weekly Salon

Bi-weekly salon discussing NYC events, issues, or other intellectual topic of our choice. Expect warm ambiance, aesthetic food, and perhaps a featured speaker from time to time.

Help Samara Community School students learn to ride!

Sunday Gathering: Why Ethics Matter More than Ever

At a time when outrage is profitable, division is rewarded, and many people feel powerless to influence the forces shaping their lives, choosing to live ethically can seem like a radical act. Yet, every day we make choices that either strengthen compassion or indifference, cooperation or distrust, courage or fear. At this season-opening Gathering, Leader Curt Collier will exploreswhy Ethical Culture remains profoundly relevant in the 21st Century. Together we will examine how ethical living is not simply about holding the right beliefs, but about creating the conditions that bring out the best in ourselves, one another, and the larger world we share. In a society often focused on what is broken, we will ask what becomes possible when ordinary people commit themselves to the ongoing work of building a more humane, just, and life-affirming culture. Inspired by Ethical Culture Founder Felix Adler’s vision that we should “elicit the best in others and thereby in ourselves,” this talk is an invitation to begin a new year of ethical action, community, and hope. This Gathering is at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email admin@ethicalfocus.org.

Film Festival Planning Mtg

Social Action Fair

Especially now, your voice and actions matter. Our Social Action Fair, on the meetinghouse lawn, offers an opportunity to connect with like-minded organizations, explore volunteering, and become part of a collective effort to defend democratic values and build a more inclusive future. Indoors we’ll create a coffeehouse atmosphere featuring our member musicians, including Ron Schwartz, Carol Sucher, Jonathan Kaplan, Silvia Acosta, Sean Banfield, Rob Eigenbrod, and Jessie Glass with the House Band. We’ll have a roving reporter, Eric Sandhusen, for those participating via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email admin@ethicalfocus.org by noon on Friday.

Utilitarianism of Giving

The 19th Century philosopher and political economist John Stuart Mills championed the Utilitarian Principle - the principle of the Greatest Good for the Most people. We as moral agents should act in the world with the aim of increasing general happiness while reducing unnecessary pain and suffering in the world. Many will agree with this sentiment on first hearing it but on further consideration, will prompt several big questions: A) Who matters? B) How should we help them? C) And how much? We will examine some modern projects that attempt to answer these questions. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- This event is part of the NYC Philosophy & Psychology Readers Conference 2026. For full details please visit: [https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/314020228/](https://www.meetup.com/reading-philosophy/events/314020228/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- This room holds a maximum of 80 people seated or 148 people standing. It will be first come first served. If you cannot make it please update your RSVP to decline to allow others to use your space. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

[Tuesday] Discussion: Consent

**Join our discord:** [https://discord.gg/sXmd8MRvmr](https://discord.gg/sXmd8MRvmr) **Consent** is about respecting each person's right to make decisions about their own body, boundaries, time, and participation. While it is often discussed in the context of physical or sexual relationships, consent also plays an important role in everyday interactions—such as sharing personal information, offering advice, physical affection, or making decisions that affect others. It involves communication, mutual understanding, and the freedom to say yes or no without pressure. In this discussion, we'll explore how consent shows up in different parts of life, what makes it meaningful, and how we can better respect one another's boundaries. 1. What does consent mean to you beyond simply saying “yes” or “no”? 2. In what areas of everyday life do we often overlook the importance of consent? 3. What makes it easier—or harder—for someone to say no? 4. How can we tell the difference between genuine agreement and agreement influenced by pressure or expectations? 5. What role does communication play in creating meaningful consent? 6. Can consent be assumed in close relationships, or should it always be actively considered? 7. How do power dynamics affect a person's ability to freely give or refuse consent? 8. How should we respond when someone changes their mind after previously agreeing to something? 9. Have ideas about consent changed over time? If so, what has influenced that change? 10. How can we respect someone's boundaries without taking their boundaries personally? 11. What can we do to create environments where people feel comfortable expressing what they do and don't want? These are just some of the questions we will discuss during our meetup. No preparation needed, just bring yourself and a willingness to listen and share your thoughts. The meetup will be structured in a way to promote small group discussion so everyone has a chance to listen, be heard, and really dive into the discussion. \- \- \- \- \- \#\# How our discussions work * **Each meetup has a clear topic and guiding questions.** We stay with them so everyone gets the conversation they came for. * **This is a reflective discussion, not a debate.** The focus is understanding and exploration rather than persuasion or winning an argument. * **We speak from personal experience.** Sharing is encouraged; judging, correcting, or speaking over others isn’t. * **We move one question at a time.** Related thoughts are welcome when they support the question we’re exploring. * **We share the space.** Everyone has a chance to speak, and no one is expected to dominate or perform. * **We listen generously.** Curiosity, presence, and openness matter more than certainty. * **This is a non-political, non-outrage space.** The emphasis is on reflection and connection, not debate or escalation. We'll arrange tables of 6 participants each. When you arrive, please gather at the main atrium - we'll be at the tables between big windows and the palm trees. Once enough people are assembled, I'll escort each group of 6 to their table to begin the discussion, and continue doing this as more participants arrive. Each table will receive a sheet containing the topic description and discussion questions. Feel free to take a photo or refer to the event page to have your own copy handy. The official event time is from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, but some of us stay longer, transitioning into informal conversations beyond the topic. You're welcome to join any other ongoing discussions once your initial group wraps up and members start leaving.

Songwriter Circle @ Brooklyn Ethical

**Play and listen to original music!** The Songwriter Circle at Brooklyn Ethical is a monthly gathering dedicated to musical expression and creativity. Everyone from beginners to pros are welcome to share songs in progress, exchange feedback, and jam together! **What to expect?** We'll take turns sharing songs we've written ourselves and discussing the art of music and songwriting from a learner's perspective. Feel free to bring your instrument of choice, but if you just have your singing voice, that's great too. We can also play recordings on our lovely sound system; this is a great option for music that can't easily be performed live. We'll have two rounds of sharing, then a rest break. Then one or two more rounds depending on available time and energy. Drop by any time from 7 to 9 pm! We do have the space until 10 pm so if there are a lot of us, everyone can have a chance to share. RSVP is not necessary but encouraged! **What to share?** * A song you or a friend composed * A song that you have adapted from another song * An interesting/creative cover of a song * Standalone chord progressions or lyrics * Questions or thoughts on the creative process * Requests for help, feedback, jamming, sing-along, etc. **Does it cost anything?** We don't have an attendance fee. We do ask for a $10 donation or whatever you can give to help pay for the space. All proceeds go to our host, the [Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture](https://bsec.org). **Frequently Asked Questions** **Where is it?** We're hosted by the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture. Here is the address: 269 4th Ave (between Garfield Pl and 1st St) Brooklyn, NY We're near these subway stations: * Union St. (D, N, R, W) (2-minute walk) * 4 Av-9 St (F, G) (11-minute walk) * Grand Army Plaza (2, 3, 4) (12-minute walk) **When is it?** We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month, from 7 PM to 9 PM/10 PM (ending time varies based on attendance). **Do I *have* to bring a song that I've written?** No, you don't have to :) You're welcome to simply bring your ears if you like! Discussion during turns is encouraged, so you can always use your turn to talk or ask questions about the composition or writing process. **I'm shy...** **My song is bad...** **I just started writing music...** Our hope is to create a comfortable space for performing original music, even if it's terrible :) You will find all levels of skill and composing ability here. It is more important that you practice with us, and not worry about being "perfect"! **I have another question...** Feel free to post your questions as a comment on the main group page or any event page! **See you there!**

Volunteers - 10am Help with our public program! - Free Kayaking for everyone!

**If you want to kayak/paddle board without volunteering just show up anytime on this date between 11 am - 3 pm!** Our full schedule and details can be found [HERE](https://sites.google.com/hobokencoveboathouse.org/hccb/free-paddle-days) *** This meetup is for volunteers to run our public program. This program exists only because of you! We can always use the help. No experience is necessary to volunteer. We'll show you the ropes on the spot :) Let us know if you would like to assist with **desk/beach/patrol** (Desk and patrol requires previous training)**.** The lead will do their best to give you your prefer choice but it'll depend on experience and where help is needed. *If you can, please sign up for both morning and afternoon!* **Overall Lead:** Desk Primary: Desk: Life jackets: Beach Primary: Lead in training: Beach: Cove Patrol Primary: Cove Patrol: Cove Patrol: SUP: Float: