Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has issued Executive Order 07, establishing the Office of Mass Engagement (OME) within the Mayor's Office. This order aims to restructure and unify various public engagement entities within the New York City government to enhance civic participation and communication between residents and city agencies.
Establishment and Leadership
The existing Community Affairs Unit (CAU) has been continued and officially renamed the Office of Mass Engagement. The OME will be led by a Commissioner appointed by the Mayor.
Coordination of Engagement Entities
Several entities responsible for public or civic engagement will now report to the OME, including:
- The Public Engagement Unit
- The Mayor’s Office of Ethnic & Community Media
- The Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships
- NYC Service
Additionally, OME will maintain liaison with and review the activities of the Civic Engagement Commission.
Discontinuation of Former Office
The Office of Civic Engagement and the position of Chief Engagement Officer have been discontinued as part of this restructuring. Any employees from the former office may be transferred to the OME.
Core Duties of the Office of Mass Engagement
The OME is assigned several key responsibilities:
- Leading Engagement Campaigns: Organizing New Yorkers to participate in city government through mass engagement campaigns.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing and maintaining accessible venues for residents to provide feedback to the City, including creating engagement spaces.
- Community Outreach: Conducting outreach to communities and individuals who have not historically participated in government decision-making.
- Policy Integration: Working across agencies and City Hall to integrate public feedback into policymaking, ensuring feedback loops between constituents and city policies.
- Civic Engagement Commission Collaboration: Cooperating with the Civic Engagement Commission to enhance civic participation and strengthen democracy.
- Agency Support: Partnering with agencies to develop high-quality public engagement materials and improve government service delivery.
- Continuity of CAU Functions: Assuming all functions previously served by the Community Affairs Unit.
Community Board Coordination
The OME will also be responsible for coordinating city agency activities related to community boards, district service cabinets, district managers, and other local governance structures. This includes assisting the Office of Management and Budget with budget process participation and agency service statements, maintaining liaison with community boards, and providing training and technical assistance.
Order Revocation and Continuation
Executive Order No. 105, dated September 17, 2007, has been revoked. However, the responsibility for street activity permits will continue to be managed by the Coordinator of Citywide Special Events and Permitted Activities, as established by Executive Order No. 100 of 2007. The Street Activity Permit Office staff will be housed within the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management.
All mayoral agencies are mandated to cooperate with the Office of Mass Engagement in the performance of its duties. The order took effect immediately upon promulgation.