Why smart, caring people still don’t get involved in local politics
+ Bootcamp Awards Party and leaderboard updates!
This week, I’m sharing some snippets from an interview I did with Mark Schneider for his Substack– full interview here. I hope this is a helpful refresher and grounding for your Primary Bootcamp goals. Keep reading below for more Primary Bootcamp announcements and updates. Enjoy!
Mark: You created a bootcamp to come up with ways to engage voters more. Can you describe what this is about and why you think it might make a difference?
Sachi: The NYC Primary Bootcamp is a civic engagement experiment built for people who want to do more than just vote--they want to build real local influence. I launched it because so many people I speak to are overwhelmed by the scale of our city’s issues but unsure how to get involved in a meaningful way. The Bootcamp turns that energy into action.
In the Bootcamp, participants earn points for completing civic actions--things like attending a community board meeting, organizing a block hangout, or creating a voter guide for friends. These aren’t just feel-good activities; they’re real steps toward becoming someone others look to for political insight and leadership.
Local politics is where your voice matters most. You don’t need to be famous or connected. As an individual, you can absolutely make a difference. This June, we’re voting for offices like mayor and comptroller--people who shape our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses, our quality of life every single day. The Bootcamp is about helping more people realize that power, and showing them how to use it.
Mark: Why do you think it is so hard to get people to participate in these activities on their own?
Sachi: There are a lot of reasons people hesitate--and honestly, they make sense.
For one, politics has a reputation for not being fun. People would rather play basketball with their friends, go out for dinner– these are the activities we typically regard as social and rewarding. But this is exactly the vibe I’m trying to shift with the Bootcamp: I’m excited to show people how social and rewarding politics can be. Politics is largely about being in community, and humans crave community.
Then there’s analysis paralysis. People want to help, but they get stuck. What’s the most effective thing to do? Where do I start? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options--and when that happens, most of us end up doing nothing.
And then there’s fear. Fear that people will judge you for supporting a candidate they don’t like. Fear of being wrong. Fear of seeming pushy. That fear is real. I hear it all the time. But here’s the thing: your influence doesn’t grow by staying silent. You’ve got to stretch a little.
That’s why the Bootcamp is a group challenge--with clear steps, encouragement, and a sense of momentum. I tell people: you don’t have to do everything, but you do have to start somewhere. Just voting is not enough. And I’m here to help you take that first step, and the next one after that. Because once you do, it does start to feel fun. It starts to feel powerful. And contagious.
Do you feel that the Bootcamp could appeal to people who may be less politically engaged or is this more something for the most engaged people to have some direction?
The Bootcamp is definitely for people who are less politically engaged--and they might actually benefit from it the most. You don’t need to come in with a ton of background knowledge or experience. In fact, the whole point is to give people an easy, welcoming way in. A lot of the actions are low-barrier but high-impact, like signing up for a newsletter, attending a local meeting, or starting a neighbor group chat.
It’s designed to be flexible and meet you where you are. If you don’t have much extra time, just do one more thing on top of voting. Whereas those who are already more engaged can use this as a push to take on more leadership roles.
Local influence isn’t reserved for political insiders--it grows from relationships, curiosity, and action. That’s what the Bootcamp helps people build, no matter their starting point.
It’s not too late to sign up for the Bootcamp and start logging actions:
Complete Bootcamp Actions (below)
Check your points (Unreviewed Points here | Reviewed Points here)
Save the date: Primary Bootcamp Awards Party
You’ll remember that Bootcampers that reach 70 points not only get a prize, but also an invitation to the awards ceremony in June. The June 14 awards ceremony will be the culmination of the Bootcamp— the big party at the end where we highlight everyone’s wins.🎉
If you’ve already reached 70 points, you’ve received your invite. For those still logging points, you’ll get your invite once you hit 70. Here’s the details:
Saturday, Jun 14, 3 PM - 5 PM EDT
TALEA Beer Penn District, 160 W 32nd St
What to expect:
Prizes for all attendees + awards announcements for top point-getters
Shoutouts for MVPs that Learned, Built Community, and Influenced Politics
Inspiration from New Politics’ community of mission-driven changemakers
Delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on us, good vibes, and people who are committed to building a better New York City
Find Your People: Connect with NYC Advocacy Orgs at the Civic Fair
I wrote last year about why joining an advocacy group is the best return on investment if you want to make a real impact on policy using your limited resources– your time, your social capital, and your money. For example, by contributing time to an advocacy organization, you tap into their strategy, structure, and expertise, allowing your efforts to go further. These groups make it easy to act and help you plug in where your unique skills are most valuable. They also amplify your social capital by connecting you with broader networks of organizers, policymakers, and allies, expanding both your reach and your influence. But how do you find an advocacy group that’s working on the issues you care about?
I’m teaming up with Lenny An from Locally Sourced NYC to host a Civic Fair to connect you! Think of it like a career fair, but for community and civic impact. At the Civic Fair, you’ll get to talk one-on-one with local organizations tackling the city's biggest challenges—from housing and transportation to elections and streetscapes. Meet the people doing the work, explore causes you care about, and find the right place to lend your voice, skills, or time.💪Groups in attendance will include:
Abundance New York
Indivisible BK
Maximum New York
New Kings Democrats
Open New York
Open Plans
Regional Plan Association
Riders Alliance
Sunrise Movement NYC
Transportation Alternatives
and more!
📆NYC Civic Fair
Tuesday, June 3, 6 PM - 8 PM at FABRIK Dumbo
Who’s in the lead?
Shout out to everyone in the top ten this week! Here’s the top Bootcamp point-winners as of today. You’re leading the charge– and we see you.👏
And shout out to everyone who’s been showing up and stacking points by making moves that matter– from signing up for newsletters and following your reps, to starting neighbor group chats and making 311 reports, forming real opinions on local offices, and getting to know your council member.
Whether you’ve attended a community board meeting, organized a potluck, started a voter guide, or just made a new friend at your local park, you’re building power.
Keep it going. This city gets better when each person gets more involved. 💪
This bootcamp has motivated me so much to stretch out of my comfort zone. For the first time I'm like actually excited to vote? And I feel like I truly feel confident in who I'm voting for??? Anyways, it's all thanks to you :)
Thanks again for hosting a LIC meetup yesterday 🙌