There's a new, streamlined RIRA out there.

It's time to think seriously about getting aboard.

Well, it's not exactly the bullet train, but Wednesday night's adoption of the Residents Association's revised constitution does a number of things that are worth a round of applause. It makes RIRA's Common Council an all-elected body, which will surely enhance its authority when speaking to political power on behalf of all of us. It also makes a fair number of things easier to do - among them, making changes in the nitty-gritty rules by which the Association does its business.

The constitutional revision makes a strong legacy for the outgoing Katz-Marcus administration. Matthew Katz ran in 2000 saying he wanted to fix the organization's constitution, and after his re-election in 2002 it became a renewed goal. First Vice President Steve Marcus took it on and, with the help of several Council delegates, made it happen.

That said, it's prudent to paraphrase something Katz said while the constitutional work was going on: The organization is not its constitution. The people are the organization.

There should be no illusions. Our Residents Association has only the power of unity and public opinion in the toolkit it brings out when it wants to influence important decisions on Roosevelt Island and in Albany. But over the years, those tools have proved their value. They worked to pull up short a RIOC President who wanted to eliminate the Tram, and another who wanted to reduce service. The voice of Islanders has been heard on matters like increased resident representation on the Board of Directors of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

In unity and the power of volunteer dedication, good works have been brought forth - blood drives, dances, a stronger Roosevelt Island Day, and more.

Now the question: Who will carry on?

Many current members of the Common Council are likely to run again to represent their buildings. But Manhattan Park has chronically been under-represented, Eastwood has often been, and there's the new need to involve the folks in Southtown.

Above all, there's a need for strong and unifying leadership in the Presidency and Vice Presidency.

And as this issue of The WIRE reaches you, there are just eight days remaining to put in nomination forms and make the commitment to community service that RIRA involves.

Think about running to represent your building. Look around you at your neighbors, and if there's somebody you believe will serve this community well, ask that person for permission to nominate her or him.

RIRA has a strong and proud tradition, strengthened by the new constitution, and the November 2 election is your chance to be part of that tradition and, more than ever, a part of this great community.

Dick Lutz