Though imperfect, SFgov.org, SFMTA.com, and other city and county websites go a long way to make information available online for residents, businesses, and visitors. One of the chief problems with this information, however, is all too often it is buried in veritable rabbit holes of links and pop-outs – not necessarily a one-stop-shop effort.
Open Government is about making our government more accessible, which means making the information on the city, government services, and public programs clearly the available. Frequently, the lack of communication between city agencies, or the lack of funding to update websites or other information dissemination mechanisms explain too many of the hurdles people have to undergo to complete simple tasks.
The Reset How-To’s project is an attempt to track down, aggregate and present that information to simplify navigating and getting to know our city.
If you want to know how to apply for a business permit, how to get a marriage license, or how to reserve the SFO art gallery for your upcoming wedding, we hope to offer you a solid starting place.
And, of course, you should comment on these How-To’s, and let us know if you think we are on the right track or if you think we missed a step.
How to make an in-kind donation to the San Francisco Unified School District as a business
The San Francisco Education Fund, in partnership with the San Francisco School Volunteers, merged to form an organization dedicated to improving the San Francisco public schools. The branch of this all-inclusive effort, which focuses on volunteerism in San Francisco schools, is an attempt to harness the great creativity, expertise, and talent available in our city and make it available to our students to enhance their education. The Fund works to prioritize schools, which demonstrate the most need, and once the needs of those schools are met, they look to other schools with less pressing problems. Learn More
How to get your employer to enroll in Commuter Benefits
Are you an employee of a San Francisco-based business? Are you currently not receiving commuter benefits? Are you tired of seeing so much of your take-home pay go to MUNI?
Well, you should be… but there is a solution!
As of January 2009, all employers with a business registration certificate and with twenty or more employees working in San Francisco (including employers with employees contracted through a collective bargaining agreement, and of course, also including public agencies) are required to provide Commuter Benefits for employees. San Francisco’s Commuter Benefits Ordinance exists chiefly to encourage employees to use mass transit. Through the program, employers can save up to nine percent on payroll taxes, and employees save up to 40% on their transit costs. Learn More
How to enroll your employees in Commuter Benefits
Are you a San Francisco employer? Want to save money on your payroll tax? Want to provide employees with transit benefits?
Well, for some, there’s no choice….
If you don’t know this already, as an employer:
As of January 2009, all employers with a business registration certificate and twenty or more employees working in San Francisco (including employers with employees contracted through a collective bargaining agreement, and of course, also including public agencies) are required to provide Commuter Benefits for employees. San Francisco’s Commuter Benefits Ordinance exists chiefly to encourage use of mass transit. Eligible San Francisco employees work on a full-time, part-time, or temporary basis for an average of at least 10 hours a week for the same employer within the previous calendar month. Learn More
How to adopt a street in San Francisco
It takes so much to keep our city clean, and now that we’ve made it as the country’s twelfth dirtiest city, this is the moment, if ever there was one, for San Franciscans to hit the streets and pick up the litter and clean the graffiti off our public spaces.
Around since 1998, the San Francisco Adopt-A-Street program has grown to include thousands of residents, businesses, and neighborhoods. Typically individuals or businesses adopt a minimum of one block or one side of a street, and regularly work to keep the street clean, free of debris and graffiti. Learn More
How to volunteer for the San Francisco Unified School District
The San Francisco Education Fund, in partnership with the San Francisco School Volunteers, merged to form an organization dedicated to improving the San Francisco public schools. The branch of this all-inclusive effort, which focuses on volunteerism in San Francisco schools, is an attempt to harness the great creativity, expertise, and talent available in our city and make it available to our students to enhance their education. The Fund works to prioritize schools that demonstrate the most need, and once the needs of those schools are met they look to other schools with less pressing demands. Learn More
