RI4All: Our Mission
We believe Rhode Island has a political consent problem. If not everyone understands how our government works, how can we all help shape our state's future?
The Womxn Project Education Fund (TWPEF) believes that broad civic engagement is vital to a more just and joyful Rhode Island.
TWPEF artists, writers, and performers created the RI4All public education video series to help everyone understand governmental rules, norms, and systems in a way that is fun and accessible. Our goal is to demystify the political process and encourage all Rhode Islanders to get involved!
RI4All: The Videos
Local Politics Matter!
Episode 1: The Senator Next Door
Video Summary: When Riley gets discouraged with national politics Emily and Tammy show them why all politics are LOCAL!
- Live Video Premiere will air on FB Live: Sun, Aug 28th, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST
- Our Accompanying Action’s Resource: Coming soon!
- Complimentary TikTok Content: Coming soon!
Get Down with Down-Ballot Voting: Why Voting Local Matters
Episode 2: Small State, Big Votes
Video Summary: Emily and Tammy use a “jarring” visual metaphor to illustrate the importance of voting in local elections.
- Live Video Premiere will air on FB Live: Thurs, Sept 1st, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST
- Our Accompanying Action’s Resource: Coming soon!
- Complimentary TikTok Content: Coming soon!
Voting in the Primaries
Episode 3: Tastes Like Progress!
Video Summary: Emily and Tammy demonstrate why in Rhode Island, voting in the Primaries is primarily important.
- Live Video Premiere will air on FB Live: Sun, Sept 4th, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST
- Our Accompanying Action’s Resource: Coming soon!
- Complimentary TikTok Content: Coming soon!
Rhode Island’s Legislative Process
Episode 4: Statutes and Ladders
Video Summary: It’s the hot, new game-craze sweeping the nation… Statutes and Ladders! Join us on this madcap journey through the legislative process. It's “How a Bill Becomes A Law,” Rhode Island Style!
- Live Video Premiere will air on FB Live: Thurs, Sept 8th, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST
- Our Accompanying Action’s Resource: Coming soon!
- Complimentary TikTok Content: Coming soon!
Who Holds the Power in Making Laws?
Episode 5: “The Talk.”
Video Summary: On the road to passing a law, there are some obstacles that could trip you up along the way! Learn how to recognize these stumbling blocks and become a more effective advocate for your bill!
- Live Video Premiere will air on FB Live: Sun, Sept 11th, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST
- Our Accompanying Action’s Resource: Coming soon!
- Complimentary TikTok Content: Coming soon!
Make Your Voice Heard!
Episode 6: Stranger Activists
Video Summary: When the going gets tough, the tough use… Artivism! Learn how using unconventional tactics could help push your bill over the finish line in this Stranger Things / D&D mash-up!
- Live Video Premiere will air on FB Live: Thurs, Sept 15th, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST
- Our Accompanying Action’s Resource: Coming soon!
- Complimentary TikTok Content: Coming soon!
Helpful Resources for Getting Involved!
Elections:
- Want to know your district and who represents you? Find this, information about your upcoming elections, how to apply to vote by mail, and much more at https://vote.sos.ri.gov/
- Looking to prepare for upcoming elections?
- Find your upcoming election info.
- Search for candidates using our state’s Candidate Search tool and/or Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Lookup feature.
- Curious how our government affects your life?
- Learn how the different levels of government affect your everyday life to understand where to focus your energy on what matters most to you.
- Learn what offices you can vote for here.
- Get all things ‘election’ in one place at the RI Board of Elections website.
Bills:
- Track bill progress with bill numbers.
- Want to know your bill’s committees? Use the bill numbers to find the committee, and then find out who to contact by searching who sits in those committees.
- Find step-by-step guides to contacting elected officials and testifying for specific bills from the RI ACLU.
- Use this short checklist for testifying for a bill from Common Cause.
- The RI Legislature’s main page is like the motherboard of linked subpages.
General:
- Get up-to-date, RI-specific resources tailored to your concerns at the Secretary of State’s site.
- Check out our friends at Common Cause! We suggest starting with their helpful resources and Demystifying Democracy series.
Thanks to our wonderful production team!
RI4All was written and directed by Tammy Brown and Emily Boucher
Cast:
Tammy Brown as Tammy Grey
Emily Boucher as Emily Beaulieu
Riley Cash as Riley Credit
Alvaro Beltran as the quirky vintage commercial voice over dude
Denise Glickman as Riley's mom
Crew:
Camera and Sound: Jeff Foye
Puppet and prop construction: Emily Boucher
Editor: Kia Davis
Sound Mix: Kelly Riley
Video Graphics: Nick Charello
Illustrations: Madeline England
Game Design: Dan Frietas
Website Design: Daniella Norwood
Logo and Branding: Greta van Moren
Special Thanks To:
Deborah Kopech, our humanities scholar
Sara Archambault
Cristin Langworthy
Rep. Rebecca Kislak
Jocelyn Foye
Cristina DiChiera
John Marion
The Bell Family
…you!
RI4All Creative Team
Many hands really do make light work! Generous support from a local matching-grant donor, funding from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, and the incredible collaboration of Rhode Island experts, artists, and organizers were all foundational to creating the RI4All civic education series.
RI4All was made possible through major funding support from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, an independent state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council seeds, supports, and strengthens public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in RI4All do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Follow the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities at their social pages: Facebook ; Instagram ; Twitter
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