All workshops will be held in person at the Roswell Community Engagement Center at 907 Michigan Avenue in Buffalo. Workshops are free with lunch provided; registration is required. We have places for 30 people to attend in-person. Workshops on the City Charter (9/30), Erie County Budget (11/4), and Petitioning (12/8) can also be attended virtually.

Read more about each workshop and register below:

Changing Buffalo’s Charter: What’s on the Ballot? (9/30) This year, Buffalonians will have the opportunity to vote on 11 proposed changes to the City’s charter. These include proposals to refine how boards and commissions work, how we adopt our budgets, whether to have Human Rights and Civilian Police Advisory Commissions, and whether we should review the charter every ten years. This workshop will explain each of the proposals so participants can head to their polling places ready to vote for how they want our city changed.

Buffalo’s New City Hall: Who’s Who and What They Do (10/14) This year, Mayor Sean Ryan is leading a new administration in City Hall. In this workshop, learn who holds leadership positions in City Hall, what their roles and responsibilities are, and what changes have been made to city departments. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of Buffalo's municipal leadership structure, who to contact on key issues, and how to effectively engage with City Hall on issues that matter to their communities.

Understanding Erie County’s Budget: 2027 Edition (11/4) Each year, Erie County officials determine how to use over $2 billion in tax dollars for services and programs. Participants will learn the who, what, and when of county budgeting including the key players that draft and approve the county budget, the major areas of spending, the timing of budget proposals and adoption, and effective ways to advocate for budget priorities in 2027 and beyond. 

Using Petitions to Make Change in the City of Buffalo (12/8) Petitioning—collecting signatures to create change—can be a powerful tool for residents in Buffalo. In this workshop, we’ll break down the different types of official petitions available to residents: what they do, who can sign them, how many signatures are required, and where and when petitions must be submitted. We’ll look at real examples of how Buffalo residents have used petitions to challenge local laws, amend the City charter, address neighborhood concerns, and more.