R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-5-2: Method of call to active duty.

Whenever it may be necessary to call out any portion of the unorganized militia for active duty, the governor shall direct his or her order to the mayor of any city or the president of a town council of any town, who, upon the receipt of the order, shall forthwith proceed to draft, by lot, as many of the unorganized militia in the city or town, or accept as many volunteers, as are required by the governor, and shall forthwith give personal notice by proper warrant, to the persons so drafted or volunteering, and make return of service to the governor, together with a list of the persons so drafted or accepted as volunteers.