PROVIDENCE
— Six people congregated in the decked halls of the Statehouse just before 3
p.m. on a recent Wednesday for the first of a series of “civic outings,”
organized by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club. The purpose of these
outings is to familiarize Rhode Islanders with the legislative process, from
the buildings where it happens to how individuals can make their voices heard.
“People feel comfortable going to the library but don’t feel comfortable going to the Statehouse,” said Abel Collins, program manager for the R.I. Sierra Club. Collins noted that the Statehouse, just like a library, is a public building built to serve the people. “Anyone is welcome to come here.”
The
hour-long outing centered on a guided tour led by Meredith Puppa, a Statehouse
employee. Puppa navigated the group through important rooms while highlighting
items of interest, such as Rhode Island’s Royal Charter of 1663 from King
Charles II outside the Senate Chamber and pieces of moon rock displayed in the
library. She peppered in a variety of anecdotes about the history of the
building, including that the “Independent Man” standing atop the building’s
dome was struck by lightening 27 times before a lightening rod was installed.
Knowing
her audience, Puppa also noted that by installing computers at the legislators’
desks in both the House and Senate in 2002, the Statehouse went 60 percent
paperless.
Collins
added more practical information, describing how Rhode Islanders can lobby
representatives and senators. “(Rhode Island’s elected leaders) are regular
people like you or me,” he said, “and honestly, they need (constituents) to
tell them what they think or else they just end up talking to special
interests.”
Collins
said future outings will include viewings of committee meetings, where the
public can testify for or against a bill, and trips to the chamber floors,
where outing participants will be able to talk to their representatives. Rep.
Donna Walsh, D-Charlestown, a member of the House Committee on Environment and
Natural Resources, has agreed to join the Sierra Club on a future Statehouse
civic outing, according to Collins.
Collins
and the Sierra Club also will experiment with other innovative outings designed
to “build the skills, knowledge and experience to effect policy change.” One example
is a “YouTube Outing,” which will teach participants the importance of
videography and social media in modern activism.
“Road
Audit Outings” will focus on potential improvements that can be made through
better transportation planning.
“I
think we began demystifying the Statehouse,” said Collins, in reference to the
club’s first civic outing. “Anybody can come here. Anybody can talk to (their
elected leaders).”
Collins
hopes these outings translate to greater civic participation. He believes
higher participation will naturally lead to more people pushing for the causes
the Sierra Club has marked as priorities, such as stabilizing RIPTA’s funding,
securing renewable energy tax credits and building the infrastructure to
support electric vehicles.
“There
is going to be a lot to talk about this session,” Collins said.
He
hopes he won’t be the only one doing the talking.
To learn about future Sierra Club civic outings, send an e-mail
to Abel Collins at abel.collins@sierraclub.org.
Kevin
Proft volunteers with the Rhode Island Chapter of the Sierra Club.