With the exciting news that Kate Brock is moving on from Ocean State Action to take a policy position in Governor Chafee’s administration, I was thinking about who could be the next Director of Ocean State Action.  I say this because Ocean State Action is probably one of the most important, if not the most important, progressive organizations in the state.  Over the years, they have been able to shape the debate in Rhode Island, elect progressive candidates to the General Assembly, and push for more progressive policies that benefit all Rhode Islanders.  Admittedly, they have not been 100% successful, but more often than not their success lies in advocacy, movement building, and adding the progressive perspective to policy debates.

Here are some of my thoughts about who (in alphabetical order).

• Sam Bell – Currently the State Coordinator for the Rhode Island chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America (taking over after I went to grad school), Sam is young and smart and has really jumped into his role at the RIPDA.  He’s also a student at Brown University.
• Kristina Fox – Currently the Organizing Director at Ocean State Action, Kristina is super energetic and has been a workhorse of progressive organizing.  Kristina was an organizer for UNITE HERE! Local 217 and helped win contracts at the Westin Hotel and the Dunkin Donuts Center.  She just recently took over as one of the organizers for Drinking Liberally as well.
• Mark Gray – Currently the “Where’s the Work?” Project Organizer at Ocean State Action, Mark looks into why there is such a dire lack of jobs in the state.  Previously, Mark was with Clean Water Action, handling recruitment and training of community organizers.
• Libby Kimzey – Currently Director of Programs at Capital Good Fund, Libby runs their tax assistance site and develops financial coaching curriculum for low-income Rhode Islanders.  Libby is a tireless advocate and her energy was instrumental in getting Teresa Tanzi elected in 2010.  She also worked with Ocean State Action and Common Cause.
• Zack Mezera – Currently an Organizer at Providence Student Union with Aaron Regunberg, Zach is also a Student at Brown University studying education policy.
• Aaron Regunberg – Currently the Director at Providence Student Union and Organizer for IDEA, Aaron is a great strategist and thinker about education policy.  A case in point, Aaron helped organize the fantastic student-led NECAP testing that brought out about 50 people, and most of them failed it.  This is reshaping the entire conversation about testing in the state.
• Marti Rosenberg – Marti is one of the most revered progressive activists in the state, working on numerous campaigns in the state for as long as I can remember.  She was Executive Director of Ocean State action until she stepped down in 2006 to work for U.S. Action in DC.  Back in RI, she became Director at New Roots.
• Ray Sullivan – Currently the Campaign Director at Marriage Equality RI and RI United for Marriage, and with any hope he’ll be unemployed when the session ends (because we’ll have marriage equality).  Ray has a wealth of experience, having worked as Communications Director for the RI Democrats, RI State Director for Obama for America, and representative of Coventry from 2005 to 2010.

This is not at all a full list, and I’m certain that potential candidates will come out of the woodwork for this important position.  What’s top of mind for me is that I hope the next Director does NOT come at the expense of the good work being done at another organization.  Whoever the next director is, we need to keep building the Progressive movement in the state.

The local progressive movement isn’t losing an activist, we are gaining a voice inside of government. Kate Brock is leaving her job as the executive director of Ocean State Action to take a policy position in Governor Chafee’s administration.

In an email to OSA supporters this morning, she writes:

It is with both heaviness in my heart and excitement for the future that I am writing to bid you all a fond farewell.

The past three years have been an amazing journey for me, and for Ocean State Action. We have made important changes in Rhode Island – both in the laws, and in the hearts and minds of Rhode Islanders.  And we did it by walking on picket lines, rallying, collecting postcards, canvassing businesses, training new activists to be campaign managers and data geeks, educating voters on issues from voting rights to tax equity, making phone calls, and knocking doors, and we did it all together.

But now it is time for a new page in my life, and I am both honored and humbled to be joining the Governor’s policy team up at the State House. I am greatly looking forward to getting back to my roots, not the grassroots ones, but my roots in the environmental community.

It has been a privilege to work alongside each and every one of you both in the trenches of Get Out the Vote and through long, long nights at the Statehouse. We’ve done a lot together, and there is a lot to still be done.

I am proud to leave Ocean State Action in the capable hands of Kristina Fox and Mark Gray who will keep fighting the good fight. If you haven’t met them yet, send them an email or give them a call and get more involved with Ocean State Action.

And never forget the immortal words of Dr. King – “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.” Stand tall, agitate, organize, and demand progress!

As Where’s the Work? campaign organizer, Gray will spearhead Ocean State Action’s continuing efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of the unemployment crisis in Rhode Island by putting the stories of unemployed Rhode Islanders front and center to reshape the public debate about our economy and make sure that our elected leaders better understand the urgent action that their constituents need to address the unemployment crisis.

“We are thrilled to have Mark join our team,” said Kate Brock, Executive Director.  “He has demonstrated the talent, creativity and diligence needed to help mobilize and empower Rhode Island’s un- and underemployed workers.”

Gray has spent the last two years with Clean Water Action Rhode Island where he worked as a grassroots organizer on numerous campaigns, including diesel emissions reduction efforts and extended producer responsibility.  In addition to serving as Recruitment Director for Clean Water Action’s renowned field canvass operation, Gray also led the organization’s highly successful efforts to support endorsed General Assembly candidates in the 2012 election.

“I am sincerely honored to be joining Ocean State Action,” Gray said.  “The personal stories of those struggling with unemployment as a result of the economic crisis are getting lost in the noise of data and statistics.  I am grateful for the opportunity to help these voices be heard.”

Ocean State Action is a coalition of community and environmental organizations, professional associations, and labor unions who have been fighting for social and economic justice for over two decades.  

Join us this tonight to kick off Olneyville Unidos (Olneyville Together) voter registration week! Meet fellow activists, enjoy a popsicle and sign up for a voter registration shift this week. If you can’t make Monday’s fiesta, contact Kristina Fox Kristina@oceanstateaction.org to sign up for a volunteer shift to register voters Tues-Thurs 6pm-8PM this week.

Help Olneyville make sure its voice is heard this election and many more to come!

• Olneyville Unidos Voter Registration Kick Off!
• Olneyville Square, Providence RI (next to Citizen’s Bank)
• Kick Off: Monday July 23 @ 6PM Volunteer Shifts: Tuesday – Thursday 6-8PM
• Contact Kristina@oceanstateaction.org for more details

Democracy starts at the voting booth. Let’s make sure everyone get there this fall!

On the Docket for next Wednesday:

Jamie Rhodes, RI State Director, Clean Water Action

Jamie formerly served as Clean Water Action’s canvas director from 2006 – 2009 before heading to law school in 2009.  For now, he’ll be splitting time between the Clean Water Action office on Westminster Street and his final semester at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol until he graduates in May.  Rhodes has also worked for Ocean State Action and for David Segal’s Congressional Campaign.

Paula Hodges, RI Public Policy & Advocacy Director, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

Paula is a Missouri native who just relocated to Rhode Island in December. She last worked as Political Director for Missouri National Education Association (MNEA), the state’s largest public employee union and prior to that coordinated progressive labor, environmental and women’s groups’ electoral plans at the America Votes – Missouri table. Paula previously served as deputy director of policy for Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

Kristina Fox, Organizing Director, Ocean State Action
Kristina is a native Rhode Islander now living in Providence. After serving two years in AmeriCorps she organized with UNITE HERE! Local 217 and helped win contract victories at the Westin Hotel, Dunkin Donuts Center and East Bay School Lunch Collaborative. Before coming to Ocean State Action she co-managed a nutrition education program for low-income families with Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

So, please join your new hosts in welcoming new faces and Drinking Liberally at a new (slightly earlier) time 7-9pm, and the same great location (Wild Colonial).

Here’s the press release:

Clean Water Action welcomed Jamie Rhodes to the position of Rhode Island State Director on February 1, 2012. Rhodes was selected as the next director following the departure of long‐time director, Sheila Dormody, who has moved on to Providence City Hall as the city’s first Sustainability Director. Rhodes previously was Canvass Director from 2006 through 2009 before enrolling at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island.

“We are excited to add Jamie to our leadership team,” said Cindy Luppi, New England Director. “Rhode Island has taken great strides towards being a national model for mercury pollution prevention, investment in renewable energy and creation of producer responsibility programs. Jamie has the right combination of talent, drive and experience that will add to Clean Water’s track record as a leading voice in Rhode Island’s environmental movement.”

“I am honored to re‐join Clean Water Action’s successful team here in Rhode Island,” says Rhodes. “I look forward to working with our allies in the fight for our water, our health and our communities. As working Rhode Islanders struggle, our state needs to continue its commitment to public health and environmental justice.”

In addition to Rhodes, Clean Water Action has also brought on former ACLU staff member, Amy Vitale, to promote the group’s legislative priorities on Smith Hill this year. “Amy will be a great addition to our team,” adds Rhodes, “Her years of experience working with the General Assembly will be invaluable for this year’s push to expand manufacturer‐funded recycling programs to include paint and packaging and to stop short‐sighted efforts to overturn Rhode Island’s decades‐long ban on municipal waste incineration.”

In addition to the work to promote progressive solid waste policies, Clean Water Action’s 2012 priorities include:

• Promote sustainable funding for public transportation.
• Establish environmental criteria for schools sited on hazardous land.
• Elect pro-environmental candidates.

Clean Water Action is a national grassroots environmental organization with over 40,000 members in Rhode Island.