Warning: this 10-point Bootcamp action can lead to dog walks and new friends…
PLUS Monday events and Friday shout outs!
We’re 8 days away from early voting for the NYC June Primary, which also means 8 days away from the end of the Primary Bootcamp. If you haven’t gotten to 70 points yet, it’s not too late.
Reminder: once you hit 70 points, you'll get a beautiful print by a local artist and an invitation to join the Bootcamp Awards Party on July 12.
It’s worth 10 points for creating a group chat of 5+ neighbors
If you missed it back in March, I shared a guide on how to start a group chat for your building or block– and why it’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to build local community and political influence. The post was inspired by a conversation with Liam Rosen, who documented how he started a WhatsApp group in his building (including a great flyer template and a ton of helpful tips).
Your influence in local politics isn’t just about how much time or money you have—it’s also about social capital. And a neighborhood chat group is one of the easiest ways to build it. A neighbor group chat helps you:
Share local updates and issues (and make it easier to take action together)
Spark connection and trust among neighbors
Get more people involved in civic life– starting from the people closest to you
It starts with borrowing kitchen supplies and watching each others’ pets. But over time, those interactions create the foundation for collective action. When someone in the chat posts, “I just emailed our councilmember about the broken streetlight,” others are way more likely to follow. That's influence.
And interactions with neighbors make city life feel a little less anonymous. Which is kind of the point.
Here’s some testimonials from Bootcampers who created group chats with their neighbors:
“My neighbors and I now literally share cups of sugar, spare beds, our cats, and have each others' backs. It's a true joy!”
“Not a WhatsApp group, just a text group, but I got everyone in our building on a group chat that has been extremely useful! It's a small building so there are only 6 of us, but we've been able to coordinate everything from bringing each other's packages inside, to comparing notes on issues we need to bring to our landlord, to last-minute emergency dog walking, to just inviting folks to hang out. It feels so great to be in regular, open communication with neighbors!”
Here’s how to get credit for making your own:
Step 1. Use this guide to make a group chat with your neighbors.
Step 2. Register for the Bootcamp if you haven’t already (link here).
Step 3. Log your points (link here).
Two Primary Bootcamp events on Monday!
Meet and Greet with Keith Powers
I’m teaming up with friends to host a fundraiser for Keith Powers, who’s running for Manhattan Borough President. As a former community board member, I’ve seen firsthand how important the role of borough president is. Borough presidents appoint the people who serve on community boards, and community boards are some of the loudest voices on issues that affect our neighborhoods. Keith is the best pick for Manhattan Borough President.
I won’t actually be able to make it in person to the fundraiser, but if you’re a Manhattanite considering your options for how to vote for Borough President, please come through! Even if you’re undecided right now, it’s fine to stop by to learn more about Keith and decide whether to donate from there.
📅Monday, June 9: 7-9pm
📍Le Dive on Canal St
Primary Bootcamp Meetup in Crown Heights
We're meeting up in Crown Heights-- come ready to share with others about what you've been working on, or ask for help, or get inspiration from other Bootcampers' experiences.
📅Monday, June 9: 6-8 pm
📍Crown Inn
Friday shout outs to the most recent Bootcampers to log their points!
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didn’t just observe local politics—she got in the mix. She tracked her community board and city council member’s moves, made a new friend in her building, and shared about her Bootcamp experience to spread the word.👏
showed up for Brad Lander's campaign with his wife and baby in tow and then took a literal ride for democracy. He joined a campaign commercial filmed on the Cyclone roller coaster. See the video here!
👏Ashley supported a new U.S. citizen with voter registration and helped them understand how New York City government works. She’s also been analyzing the comptroller race and keeping up with local news and community board meetings.
👏Mars used her platform to spread the word by mentioning the Bootcamp in a book review for the Bluestockings newsletter.
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is helping others get informed. As part of the West Side Dems programming committee, he helped organize a ranked choice voting workshop.👏
represented Climate Club Friends at the NYC Civic Fair, signed up for her city council member’s newsletter, and shared this newsletter with others to grow the movement.👏Elita went straight to the source, following her local representatives, looking up which bills her council member is sponsoring, and subscribing to City and State’s First Read newsletter.
👏Sarah racked up 145 Bootcamp points! She subscribed to local politics newsletters and filed a 311 report that got a dangerous sidewalk hazard repaired. She also reminded her building WhatsApp group to register to vote and joined Open New York.
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, Secretary of Manhattan Community Board 8, shared why he’s voting for Keith Powers—and got his post reshared by the councilmember himself.
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registered to vote and got a selfie with her city council member!👏Janita phonebanked with Open New York and started a WhatsApp group with her neighbors to build local connection and power.
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has been all over the city attending a mayoral debate watch party and showing up at the NYC Civic Fair. Big-time energy and commitment to civic life!👏
shared about the Bootcamp on Bluesky, joined the Coalition for New York’s Future, and signed up for updates from her city council member and community board.👏
covered all the bases. He registered to vote, researched the comptroller race, subscribed to his community board’s newsletter, and filed a busted Q train door report with the MTA.That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with more ways to get points, learn about local issues, build community, and influence politics. 💪In the meantime, some additional resources:
On a roll logging points? Here’s the rest of the Primary Bootcamp Actions, many with how-to guides to make it easy.
Want to meet other New Yorkers that are getting involved ahead of the primary? Check out the Primary Bootcamp Calendar here.
Need help? Consult the Primary Bootcamp community! Join the chat:
Is there a way to view which actions we’ve already logged? I lost track a bit 😅