Providence Newspaper Guild Follies | February 24

Posted on January 17, 2012 by The Ocean State Republican

For quite a few years now, the Rhode Island Republican Assembly has had reserved tables for Republicans at the annual Providence Newspaper Guild Follies. Assuming that The Providence Journal doesn’t shutter its doors and fire everyone by February 24th, this year will be no exception!

Because this great event has long-since outgrown Rhode Island’s ability to contain it, and sales tax is still cheaper in Massachusetts, the Follies will be held on Friday, February 24th at 7:00 PM just over the border at the Venus de Milo Restaurant , 75 Grand Army Highway (Route 6) in Swansea, MA.

This popular dinner and political satire show is attended by every politician, activist, and news media personality in Rhode Island’s political scene, for a total of about 1,250 people. Tickets are $65.00/person. A spectacular buffet dinner is included, and of course, the big show. RIRA has reserved two tables (20 seats), with the option of reserving more if there is additional demand.

Note: Since this is a union-held event, the audience does tend to skew somewhat Democratic / Leftist / Commie, so be forewarned! If you are a Republican and want to sit with us (for your own safety), please contact RIRA President Raymond McKay right away at president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or 401-487-2514. These tickets are definitely going fast, so do not wait, as this event always sells out.

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Filed Under: Big Labor, Coming Events, Humor and RIRA 0 Comments

Presidential Signature Party Schedule for RI

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Dave Talan

SIGNATURE PARTY SCHEDULE TO GET GOP PRES. CANDIDATES ON R.I. PRIMARY BALLOT

You have read recently that all but 2 of the Republican Presidential candidates failed to even get on the ballot for Virginia’s Primary, due to that state’s ridiculously restrictive ballot access laws. But Rhode Island’s laws are even WORSE than Virginia’s. We could be looking at NONE of the candidates getting on R.I.’s ballot, thanks to major changes in the R.I. law, passed in 2011 and taking effect in 2012.

But we are taking steps to make sure that this embarrassment does not happen here. We are in charge of getting all the GOP candidates on the April 24 R.I. Primary ballot. We are organizing a team effort, to make sure R.I. Republican voters are able to choose from ALL 7 of the Presidential candidates.

First, a brief explanation of why this is so difficult in R.I. We have just 2 weeks to get 1,000 valid signatures for these candidates, from January 19 to February 2. (This is down from the 5 weeks we had previously, in warmer weather). Also, in normal states, signatures are turned in to one central location. In R.I., signatures must be turned in to the City or Town Hall where the signer resides. (So, for instance, if you are a Providence voter, and sign a paper that is turned in to Pawtucket, your signature would be disqualified.). This makes it impractical to gather signatures at shopping centers or at athletic events, where people come from numerous different communities.

The only thing about R.I. law that makes things easier, is that one person can sign papers for ALL of the candidates (not just for the one that they support). We are asking people to sign every paper, so that ALL the candidates get on; rather than NONE of them, if we each go our separate ways.

So here is what YOU can do.

* SIGNATURE PARTIES
We are organizing events in most of the 39 Cities & Towns, where residents can come and sign all the papers. The GOP City & Town Chairmen’s Caucus (President Mark Smiley from Warren) is working with the 39 local GOP Committees, to set these up.
We will notify you, via E-Mail, about the time & place for the Signature Party in your own community. (THE SCHEDULE FOR ALL COMMUNITIES IS LISTED BELOW). We ask you to take the time to go to the event in your Town, and sign all the papers.
These Signature Parties will also be social events, where you get to meet and greet the GOP leaders in your Town (and maybe get more involved with your local GOP organization).

* GET SIGNATURES YOURSELF
If you would be willing to get signatures on all the papers from 10 or more of your friends and neighbors, just REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL (DaveTalan [at] aol [dot] com), and we will deliver the papers to you on January 19 (together with instructions on how to handle them).
We will help you get all the papers properly notarized, and turn them in for you.
(Note: If you replied a week ago, to your monthly R.I. GOP Update, and it bounced back to you, then reply again. That Update had a space mistakenly included in the return address, which caused some replies to be rejected.)

SO HERE IS THE CURRENT SCHEDULE OF SIGNATURE PARTIES !!
(In a few days, we will send you an updated schedule, once we hear from more communities. We will also send you an E-Mail with more details about the Signature Party in your own particular City or Town.)

RHODE ISLAND GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SIGNATURE PARTIES Continue reading ‘Presidential Signature Party Schedule for RI’

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Filed Under: 2012 Elections, Meetings and Republican Party 0 Comments

RI Republican Assembly Meeting | Thursday

Posted on January 9, 2012 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a reminder that Rhode Island’s largest Conservative organization, the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next meeting this Thursday, January 12th, 2012.

The RIRA monthly meeting will be held in the lower-level of Tri-City Elk’s Lodge No. 14, at 1915 West Shore Road, in Warwick. For those wishing to eat before the RIRA meeting begins, dinner is available between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. The cost for dinner is about $8.00 per person. There is also a Cash Bar available. The RIRA business meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00PM.

We have quite a lot on the agenda, including, but not limited to: 2012 RIRA Membership Renewals ($25/year); Recap of the RIRA Christmas Party; Recap of the RIGOP Special Election; RIRA Board appointments; RIRA Bylaws revisions; helping with the signature drive to get all the GOP candidates for president on the ballot in RI; and planning for the remainder of 2012. We also have a special project which we will need help with right after the RIRA business meeting concludes.

The RIRA is the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a thoughtful national organization of GOP conservatives working to grow and strengthen the Republican Party in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan. This is a dinner meeting, and if you want to eat, you pay for your own meal. Any like-minded conservative Republican is welcome to attend. Regular attendees are encouraged to inquire about membership.

For more information, please contact RIRA President Raymond McKay at (401) 487-2514 or president [at] ri-ra [dot] org. Thank you.

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Protected: RIRA Executive Committee Meeting | Saturday

Posted on January 6, 2012 by The Ocean State Republican

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Filed Under: Coming Events, Meetings and RIRA Closed

RIGOP State Central Committee Meeting | Thursday

Posted on January 4, 2012 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a friendly reminder that there will be meeting of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee this Thursday, January 5th, 2012. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00PM. Please arrive earlier for check-in.

The meeting will once again be held at the Rhode Island Shriners’ building, at One Rhodes Place (at the intersection with Broad Street), in historic Pawtuxet Village, Cranston, RI 02905. This is the same location which has been used for the last few meetings. There is a cash bar and food available in the adjoining room.

The agenda which was e-mailed to RIGOP members last week was very basic. However, we have every reason to expect some important, as well as time-sensitive issues to be discussed, so please make an effort to attend this first RIGOP meeting of the 2012 election cycle.

Only current RIGOP Delegates or their Designated Alternates may vote on any contested matter, although any Republican is welcome to attend RIGOP meetings. If you are not a member of the RI Republican State Central Committee, you are not expected or required to attend.

Any inquiries about the RIGOP meeting can be directed to the RIGOP office at (401) 732-8282.

Inquiries specific to RIRA may still be directed to RIRA President Ray McKay at (401) 487-2514 or president [at] ri-ra [dot] org. Thank you.

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Filed Under: 2012 Elections, Coming Events and Republican Party Closed

RI Republican Assembly Meeting | January 12

Posted on December 22, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a reminder that Rhode Island’s largest Conservative organization, the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next meeting on Thursday, January 12th, 2012.

The RIRA monthly meeting will be held in the lower-level of Tri-City Elk’s Lodge No. 14, at 1915 West Shore Road, in Warwick. For those wishing to eat before the RIRA meeting commences, dinner is available between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. The cost for dinner is about $8.00 per person. There is also a Cash Bar available. The RIRA business meeting begins at 7:00PM.

Agenda will mainly focus on 2012 membership renewals, the recent RIGOP election, the recent RIRA Christmas Party, and plans for winning in 2012.

The RIRA is the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a thoughtful national organization of GOP conservatives working to grow and strengthen the Republican Party in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan. This is a dinner meeting, and if you want to eat, you pay for your own meal. Any like-minded conservative Republican is welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact RIRA President Raymond McKay at 401-487-2514 or president [at] ri-ra [dot] org.

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Filed Under: Coming Events, Meetings and RIRA Closed

Mark Zaccaria is the new RIGOP Chair

Posted on December 21, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

A special election was held tonight to choose a new leader for the Rhode Island Republican Party.

After the first round of balloting, the results were:

Mark Zaccaria – 82 (46.33%)
Raymond McKay – 59 (33.33%)
Tina McKendall – 36 (20.33%)

A total of 177 votes were cast by the Delegates present.

No candidate received a simple majority after the first round of balloting (a majority in this case would have been 89 of 177).

Prior to a possible second round of balloting, RIRA President Raymond McKay withdrew his name from consideration and endorsed Mark Zaccaria.

Several minutes later, Tina McKendall also withdrew from the race and endorsed Mark Zaccaria.

Being one candidate left on the ballot, Mark was then elected by acclamation as the new RIGOP Chairman.

Mark then delivered his acceptance speech and was congratulated by all with a standing ovation.

As the meeting adjourned several hours earlier than most expected, many went to the adjoining bar to wind-down.

Congratulations, to our new RIGOP Chairman Mark Zaccaria!

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Filed Under: 2011 Elections and Republican Party Closed

A Personal Letter from RIRA President Raymond T. McKay

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Raymond McKay

RIGOP Nominations Committee endorses RIRA’s President McKay for Chairman

Dear fellow RIGOP Delegates and the RIRA membership:

My friends, I am writing to you as a Party friend and loyalist with the deepest appreciation and respect for the consideration, time, and effort put forth by the RIGOP Nominations Committee for their Official Endorsement of my candidacy to be the next Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party. I am truly honored by your confidence in me, and my vision to build-up the RIGOP. I am ready for this challenge.

As you know, the Special Election to choose the next Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party will be held this Wednesday, December 21, 2012 at the RI Shriners at 1 Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI. The election will be held in the very same room where we just held the very successful and enjoyable 7th Annual RIRA Christmas Dinner Party on Saturday night. The special election meeting on Wednesday is scheduled to begin promptly at 7:00 P.M., so please arrive early for the credentialing process. There is also a cash bar and dinner menu at the RI Shriners, which you are encouraged to enjoy.

Let me state a few things, to clear up any possible confusion or misperceptions. As I have said many times, it is the grassroots of politics that will help move this Party forward. That means, a leader must lead, but also listen and hear from those whom he would ask to follow him. It was made very clear to me during the RIGOP Nominations Committee process that it would be impractical for me to lead two similar, but obviously different Republican organizations, and to do both well simultaneously.

Let me say this for the record and so there is no misunderstanding: If I am so fortunate as to be elected Chairman of the RIGOP on Wednesday evening, I will submit my resignation as President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly.

With that said, please know that I am absolutely determined that I will not do to RIRA, what the prior Chair of the RIGOP unintentionally did to the RIGOP by leaving his position so abruptly. The RIRA Board of Directors, as well as myself, have already planned for a very smooth transition to new leadership once I am elected as the new Republican Party Chairman. That being said, RIRA Bylaws are somewhat more complex than those of the RIGOP.

  • First, the RIRA Board of Directors must meet to approve my written request to resign. I know this will not be an issue.
  • Second, unlike the RIGOP, my leaving the helm of RIRA does not necessitate holding a “special election” to determine my replacement. RIRA already has very clear leadership transition procedures in place.
  • Third, as the RIRA Board of Directors already has a regularly scheduled meeting planned for January 7, 2012, and being that we are right in the middle of the Christmas season already, I believe that staying with that previously announced meeting schedule would be best for all of us to be able to enjoy a stress-free, enjoyable, and politics-free Christmastime.

I realize that after over 6 years as the RIRA President, this change will not be easy for some RIRA members to absorb at first. However, it has often been said that “the only constant in life is change.” I want to change the RIGOP and make it something that we can all be proud to belong to. That is my mission, and I know that it is RIRA’s as well. Although I will no longer be the public face or spokesman of RIRA, I will still remain active within the organization. Those RIRA members who may be concerned that their grassroots Republican organization which was built up over a period of 10-plus years will fall apart at the seams without me at the helm, need not worry. RIRA is much bigger than one person. As I’ve often said: “This is not about me.” This is about all of us.

If I am so fortunate as to be elected as your next RIGOP Chairman on Wednesday, I am ready, willing, and able to take on this new challenge — and it will be a challenge. Together, we will create a viable, identifiable, and competently-run Republican Party organization in this “bluest of blue states” which we can all be proud of.

As my role model, President Ronald Reagan often said, “Our best days are yet to come.”

The hard work ahead of us will yield the fruits of change that we, and this State, so desperately yearn for, and rightfully deserve.

Thank you so much for your time, and I ask for your vote of confidence on Wednesday evening.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay

President, RIRA
Candidate for RIGOP Chairman

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Filed Under: 2011 Elections, Republican Party and RIRA Closed

RI Republican Party Special Election Meeting | Wednesday

Posted on December 20, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

This is a reminder that the special election meeting to choose the next Chair of the Rhode Island Republican Party will be held this Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.

The special election meeting will be held at the RI Shriners – Imperial Room, at One Rhodes Place, in Cranston, where the prior two RIGOP meetings have been held — and where we just held the RIRA 7th Annual Christmas Dinner Party on Saturday night.

Of course, only credentialed RIGOP Delegates or their Designated Alternates may vote in this special election, but anyone can attend to observe. Any questions concerning the meeting can be referred to the RIGOP office at (401) 732-8282.

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Filed Under: 2011 Elections, Meetings and Republican Party Closed

Rules for the Special Election of RIGOP Chairman

Posted on December 19, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

The following rules and procedures governing the election of Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee (“RIGOP”) were approved on December 7th, 2011 by the RIGOP Executive Committee.

On December 21, 20011 there will be a special election for Chairman. All candidates for Chairman shall be responsible for submitting a letter to the RIGOP expressing his or her intent to seek the office of Chairman. This letter must include accurate contact information (phone and email) for the Nominating Committee Chairperson. An electronic submission of this letter must be sent to and received by contact [at] rigop [dot] org no later than 7:00 pm on December 11, 2011. If the candidate cannot make an electronic submission of his letter, the candidate must submit a written letter to the RIGOP at 1800 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886. A written letter must be received by the RIGOP no later than 5:00 pm on December 9, 2011.

Candidates who have properly filed a letter of intent will be contacted by the Nominating Committee Chairperson. The chairperson of the Nominating Committee will set the time and date of Nominating Committee meeting and schedule the time at which candidates for chairman will speak. If a candidate is unable to attend, they may send a representative to attend on their behalf, attend by telephone conference or video conference, or submit information in writing or by electronic media.

When the Acting Chairman opens the floor for nominations for chairman at the December 21, 2011 meeting, the only nominations that will be in order will be those of candidates who submitted a letter expressing their intent to run for chairman by the deadline. There will be only two nominating speeches for each candidate. Each speech is limited to three (3) minutes. Nominating speeches will not be required if the race is uncontested.

Voting will be by secret ballot as is the custom of the RIGOP in any election for an officer position unless the race is uncontested. If the race is uncontested, the chairman will be elected by a voice vote. When a Member receives a ballot, they shall circle the name of the candidate for whom they wish to cast their ballot for the office being voted. The election is won by attaining a majority of the votes eligible to be cast. The majority of votes cast is defined as more than half of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote, excluding blanks or abstentions. Abstentions and blank ballots will not be included in determining the number of votes needed to win the election. Prior to the election, each candidate shall designate one (1) Member to serve as that candidate’s representative (“teller”) during the tabulation of votes and this person will be allowed to observe the counting of the ballots during a secret ballot election.

As soon as the results of the balloting are available, the presiding officer shall announce the ballot results starting with the number of votes received by the candidate with the highest number of votes. If there are multiple candidates, and a majority is not attained, there will be additional rounds of voting until an election results in a majority vote. Any speech announcing the withdrawal of a candidate can be made following a vote and before the next vote is taken. The speech must be made in one (1) minute or less by the candidate or an authorized representative of the candidate.

Source: Rhode Island Republican Party

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Filed Under: 2011 Elections and Republican Party Closed