Lopes to depart Common Cause R.I.

PROVIDENCE – Common Cause Rhode Island today announced that Christine Lopes, its executive director for the past two years, will be stepping down this December to return to school.
“It’s been a wonderful experience to work for Common Cause Rhode Island and advocate on important public policy issues facing Rhode Island,” Lopes said in a statement today.
“The next few months will be a busy and exciting time for Common Cause,” she added, “with the elections approaching and an anticipated opinion from the R.I. Supreme Court on Separation of Powers,” a longtime priority of the public-policy group. (READ MORE)
Meanwhile, Common Cause will be seeking candidates for the post Lopes is vacating, as well as a new associate director position.
The group said it “is looking for an experienced professional to lead the organization who will develop the best opportunities for political and electoral reform in Rhode Island.” The executive director, who reports to the state governing board, is the chief lobbyist and spokesperson for Common Cause R.I. He or she will be responsible for promoting the group’s local and national policy and advocacy agendas and overseeing the administration of the state office.
The new associate director “will serve as an effective and responsive steward of the organization’s operations and fundraising development,” Common Cause said, working with the state board and the executive director to grow the group’s outreach and membership efforts in the state.
During her own tenure, said Lopes, who replaced former Common Cause Executive Director Phil West after his retirement in 2006, “I’ve learned a great deal, and am proud to be part of good government reforms efforts in Rhode Island.
“I now look forward to fullfilling my educational goals, and hope to return to public service in the future,” she said. Lopes plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration at Suffolk University in Boston.
Common Cause Rhode Island – founded in 1970 – is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting open, ethical, accountable and effective government. It is the state chapter of the national Common Cause. Additional information, including details of the two open positions, is available at www.CommonCauseRI.org.