Guest Editorial
MANHATTAN Service vs. social media SNAPS
BY ROBIN ROTHSTEIN
A recent survey revealed that the global population on average spends close
to two-and-a-half hours a day on social media. How much of that time do
you fi nd yourself in partisan scuffl es on Twitter? Or getting into policy
frays on Facebook? How about applying the time you spend getting steamed on
social media toward volunteering instead?
With National Volunteer Month upon us, this is the perfect opportunity to give
the hashtags a rest once in a while, and take the time to make a real difference.
Wondering how a new condo got so tall or why there are so many liquor licenses
in your area? As a member of a community board you get to be immersed in these
details early on and help shape the conversations. While community boards are
purely advisory, they are, without question, foundations of democracy. You can
also apply for public membership, which requires less of a time commitment.
There are countless nonprofi ts looking for help. Do you work in fi nance and
have a passion for the arts? Maybe your favorite cultural organization would welcome
your business expertise. Or, perhaps, after sitting behind a desk all week,
you’re ready to get your hands dirty. There are parks throughout the city where
you can volunteer. Or consider joining your local community garden.
Block associations help keep their communities informed on hyperlocal news,
represent the residents interests at community board hearings on quality of life issues
such as liquor licenses, and beautify local streets, among other activities.
You can check out the Department for the Aging for ways you can help older
New Yorkers. There are also nonprofi ts such as Visiting Neighbors, DOROT, Citymeals
on Wheels and Senior Planet where you can offer your skills or simply
spend some quality time with someone seeking company.
How about mentoring aspiring young scribes at Girls Write Now? New York
Cares has youth mentoring programs, as well, and also provides volunteer opportunities
for kids 18 and under. If you want to use your volunteer time to support
L.G.B.T.Q. youth, consider The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community
Center. Or, perhaps a school in your area is looking for some help.
And you can visit the NYC Service Web site for plenty of other volunteer options.
So, this April, how about giving the cyber-pugilism a rest, and giving of
yourself? I bet you’ll discover you won’t miss tussling with the trolls one bit.
Rothstein is chairperson, Community Board 2 Arts and Institutions Committee,
and an advisory board member, Cherry Lane Theatre
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PHOTOS BY JOHN PENLEY
Former East Village activist and photographer John Penley gave
his photo archives sometime ago to New York University’s Tamiment
Library. During years documenting the Downtown scene,
Penley shot countless luminaries, the likes of drug guru Timothy
Leary at the former Collective Unconscious on the Lower East
Side, bottom, and performance artist Karen Finley at a Refuse &
Resist! benefit at the former Palladium on E. 14th St., top, today
an N.Y.U. dorm. Tamiment focuses on radical and left history. Penley
reported that N.Y.U. Bobst Library, at 70 Washington Square
South, is currently consolidating all six of its special-collections
libraries, of which Tamiment is one — including photos, artwork
and correspondence — onto one floor.
14 April 18, 2019 TVG Schneps Media
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