About RIRA

The purposes of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) are: 
  1. To represent the interests of its members to all governmental, quasi-governmental and private institutions that develop policy affecting Roosevelt Island and its residents; that supervise or manage our housing and that supervise or manage other Island operations; and
  2. To ensure that the health, safety and welfare of its members and the quality of life in our community are maintained and improved.
Over the years, RIRA has represented the residents of Roosevelt Island in negotiations with the State of New York and other official entities. It is recognized as the official representative of Island residents.

    "RIRA is critical in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for all Roosevelt Islanders. RIOC, its Board of Directors, the local politicians and the media acknowledge RIRA as the voice of this community by virtue of the fact that its members include the entire population of the Island and, most importantly, its delegates on the Common Council are elected to those positions every two years," said former President Matthew Katz.

All residents of Roosevelt Island are automatically members of RIRA. Those who take an active role as a Common Council Representative or Island-wide officer (President or Vice-President) have a special opportunity to influence life on Roosevelt Island.

RIRA actions have led to nomination elections for members of the Board of Directors of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), actions to save the Tram, preservation of the local Post Office and more. Your involvement is an opportunity to shape your community.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) was incorporated as a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation in 1977. 

Elected Officers as of November 2014

President: Jeffrey Escobar
Vice President: Sherie Helstien
Secretary: Susan PIcard
Treasurer: Todd Caplan

Common Council Members

You can find the complete list of representatives in the Election Results.

Photo courtesy of RooseveltIslander blog:


Responsibilities of RIRA Officers and Common Council Members

President

The President shall be the chief executive officer and principal spokesperson of RIRA, a voting Member of the Common Council, presiding officer of all meetings of the Council and of the Town Meeting and an ex officio member of all committees.

It shall be the responsibility of the President to co-sign with the Treasurer all checks.

Vice President

The Vice President shall supervise: all RIRA elections; all communications, both internal and external, of RIRA; secretarial services that are not the responsibility of the Secretary; legal representation (in coordination with the Chairperson of the Legal Action Committee, should it exist); auditing of the finances of RIRA; membership participation and fund-raising.

To perform the responsibilities of office, the Vice President shall supervise the Nominations Committee, the Election Committee, the Auditor, and, should it exist, the Communication Committee.

In the temporary absence or inability to serve of the President, the responsibilities of the President shall be assumed by the Vice President who shall serve as President Pro Tempore.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall become President until the completion of the term.

Common Council Members

Council Members shall volunteer for membership in at least one Committee. Any RIRA member (any resident) that is not a Member of the Common Council may serve on any committee if approved by the Chairperson of that committee. Council members are expelled from the Council if they fail to attend three consecutive sessions. As Common Council Members are subject to the requirements of Article II Section 1(c), which requires them to be a member of at least one Committee, any such expelled Council Member must select another Committee in order to continue to comply with such Section.

Alternates

In general, Alternates that attend Council meetings may speak during the deliberations, but may not vote. However, in the event that a regular Council Member is absent, the first alternate for that District may vote. If the first alternate is not available, then the second alternate may vote, and so on.
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Admin Rira,
Dec 20, 2014, 4:11 PM
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