The Uncaucus: A Citizen-led Movement for Providence's Future

It’s been a busy since we kicked off the Uncaucus effort last week. We are pleased to report that we’ve been contacted by several candidates—both declared and undeclared.  In each case we offered the same deal: we’re happy to report to the community on what we learn from conversations with these folks, but everything is “on the record” as they say.  We are looking forward to offering a fresh look at the candidates and hope that the candidates who approached us will not be scared off by our policy of "full disclosure."

Making its television debut, three of The Uncaucus founding members—Andy Cutler, Owen Johnson and Melissa Withers—took to the airways to share their ambitions of getting Providence to approach this fall’s mayoral election a little differently. Watch it Now (http://bit.ly/caldKZ)

WRNI’s Ian Donnis talks to a woman intrigued by the Uncaucus decision to post a job for Mayor in Austin, Texas.  This piece has inspired a lot of conversation (lots of it right on Ian Donnis’ Facebook wall!  Some people see the move as “naïve” or “offensive.” Others have called it “refreshing” and necessary to shake things up. Read more »

Good question from the network: what's the difference between a citizen, a resident and a voter. And which of these three--if not all--should help decide who gets hired to be mayor. In Providence, where there are business owners who are not residents (but care about what happens here), and voters who are aren't really residents, it matters.  Interested to here from someone in Providence who can’t vote in the election, but had strong feelings about what we should be looking for in a mayor.  Thoughts?

Short and sweet…reporter Phil Marcelo outlines the goals and aspirations of the Uncaucus movement. Read it Now.

Rhode Island voters have minimal confidence that elected state leaders will make decisions to put the state on the right track, according to a recent public opinion survey done at Brown University. The survey of 605 registered Rhode Island voters was conducted Feb. 9–12, 2010.

Check it Out (http://bit.ly/c8AQ60)

Everybody loves posters. Pass this one around. Hang it (of course we are not encouraging you to vandalize).

Download Now: Print | Email

The Uncaucus has posted this job description locally and in states across the country to challenge assumptions about what it means to be Mayor, get more citizens involved in the hiring process and encourage new candidates to step forward.

Job Title: Mayor
Start Date: January 1, 2011
Full Time: 4 Year Term

Job Summary:

The Citizens of the City of Providence seek applications for the position of Mayor. Through policy and practice, the Mayor must inspire intelligent and transparent decision-making across all arms of city government and deliver services that support the well being of all residents.

The successful candidate will transform municipal leadership in Rhode Island by vigorously rewarding innovation, creativity and civic participation, even if it disrupts the status quo. Read more »

On February 18, 2010, the Providence Uncaucus initiated an effort to enlist more citizen participation in the process through which the next Mayor of Providence will be “hired” for the City’s number one job.

This group, organized under the name  “Uncaucus,” has posted a job description for the next Mayor. The Uncaucus has posted this job description locally and in multiple cities across the country to challenge assumptions about what it means to be Mayor, get more citizens involved in the hiring process, encourage new candidates to step forward and focus election season discussion and debate on platform issues most important to the City’s future. Read more »