NYC Digital

On January 24, 2011, the City of New York announced the role of Chief Digital Officer.   

I’ve spent my first weeks getting to know the people who keep New York City running. From 311 to the Office of Emergency Management; from the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to the Economic Development Corporation; and many others.

The commitment to innovation is sincere, and the civic entrepreneurship inspiring.

As New Yorkers, we all benefit from services that keep us healthy, save us money, and improve the quality of our lives. 

To this end, the public and City agencies have begun to share ideas on shaping NYC’s digital future.  Using their input, in my first months as Chief Digital Office, I will focus on the following:

1. Needs: Listen and help New Yorkers connect to the information and services they need on NYC.gov, 311 online, and platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
2. Solutions: Save taxpayer dollars with lean digital tools and public-private partnerships.
3. Coordination: Get more out of existing City assets and make it easier for agencies to do their jobs - through collaboration and training.

In short, my job is to serve New Yorkers using the web.  

Looking forward, we are preparing a 90-day report on NYC’s digital work, and you are invited to share your ideas and be part of the solution.  NYC government is your government, and we are all in this together.  

If you want to help improve New York City, here is how you can get involved:

1. Citizens: Share your ideas. We are listening. All ideas will help to shape the 90-day report in April.
2. Businesses: Support your community and expand your business by publicly partnering with New York City to provide technology solutions. 
3. City Employees: Share what’s working, and what you need, whether tools or policies.

To get started, here are a few ways to make your voice heard:

• Comment @rachelsterne on Twitter (see all ideas here)
• Answer on Quora
• Submit a Money-Saving Idea on NYC.gov
• Answer in Facebook Questions
• Answer on Tumblr
• City Employees: Share on the Idea Market

Thank you, and I look forward to working with you for our City’s future.