Back from the NARSOL Conference
Yesterday, I returned from an invigorating three days – Note… that’s not “three days” so as to qualify as a temporary residence 😉 – in Houston, Texas, where Gail and I represented Florida Action Committee at the National Association for Rational Sex Offense Laws (NARSOL) conference. This was my sixth year attending and each year I return with fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to doing everything I can to end the injustice of the registry.
This year’s conference had the largest attendance in the 11 years they have been having them, indicating that more people are joining the fight. Invariably I will always run into a handful of people who have a Florida city listed on their name tag who have never heard of FAC. It’s a reminder that we need to be doing a better job of connecting with other people on the registry who don’t know that a reform movement exists. By reaching them, we offer hope and support to those who presently have none and we also expand our strength by adding new voices to our fight. We should always be thinking of ways to reach out to the community – if you know of any opportunities to speak, present or exhibit, please let us know.
At the awards dinner, two of FAC’s strongest advocates were honored with awards. Gail Colletta and Captain Charles (Bob) Munsey received recognition for their dedication and hard work. Both are very deserving. FAC received many complements from attendees across the country who read our site, call into our member calls and find our organization to be a useful resource for information, referrals and support. It’s incredibly motivating to know we are reaching people and doing something useful. We will keep at it, getting better, stronger and not stopping until the registry is abolished.
The most useful take away from attending, was the ability to speak with other advocacy groups and attorneys and brainstorm ideas. Gail and I formulated a game plan to address Florida’s policy of maintaining a registry of more than seventy-three thousand people, when fewer than half are actually in the community. We will be implementing this shortly.
This coming week we will be attending The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) Conference. A more comprehensive update and take-aways will follow our return. In the mean time, please excuse any delays in updating you, but be assured that a lot is going on!
FAC President Gail Colletta and Shawna Baldwin from the documentary “Untouchable”
Discover more from Florida Action Committee
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you FAC for everything you do for us!
Thank you Gail for all your hard work. Everyone at FAC are an incredible group of people. I learn and am inspired by the people who post stories and comments as well. So keep it coming.
It was a great conference, with impressive speakers and many great people. I learned so much.
I never imagined that I would become a supporter of registered citizens. I had never paid much attention to this issue, until my son was trapped in a sex sting operation, was falsely accused, and has been wrongly labeled. I could have never imagined before that someone who has never preyed on children could be labeled as that. I also could have never imagined before that there could be so much dishonesty, corruption, and self-serving acts, from individuals in the legal system,. I never knew before that most of the sex offender registry list and it’s purpose is bogus. It’s been a very harsh and rude awakening for us.
After attending this conference, I have new hope. I never imagined that I would get this from people that have been labeled as those that everyone should stay away from.
Who would think that some of the nicest people anybody could meet are individuals who are on the registry of “bad” people?
Changing people’s minds and 💜s. It’s happening.
Yesterday, I returned from an invigorating three days – Note… that’s not “three days” so as to qualify as a temporary residence.
Did you folks check the current temporary residence laws? as you know these laws change on a whim, while under secrecy.
This is the Texas requirement for out of state visitors and was/is posted on our conference website. “Essentially, if in the state 3 or more times for 48 or more hours within the span of a month, you must report before the last day of that month. Since you will only be in the state once during the month, you should not need to register (see Texas sex offender registration law).” That last bit is a link, but it may not come across here as clickable.
Other than mailings to everyone on the list, maybe FAC handout or mention could be given to registrants as a reach out group when released, incarcerated, or registering. Also, counseling is a large part of release, so maybe FAC could partner with counseling programs from each county to share and/or distribute information about your organization.
These are ideas we are implementing. We have a one-pager resource we want to leave in registration offices and to hand out at treatment groups.
Good idea!!! anyone with graphic arts experience PLEASE connect with us.
For a time i was in a weekly ITM therapy group. I had obtained a somewhat large stack of pamphlets from both the FAC and NARSOL and asked the moderator if they would kindly pass them out. The moderator seemed very enthusiastic and agreed to do so.
Several weeks passed and the size of the stack remained the same. I did see one of the pamphlets in a chair as i arrived for group one time. The moderator seemed somewhat confused as to its presence and asked “how did that get there?”
Yes, the idea is a good one and I sincerely hope that there will be those who will help enlighten others about organizations such as this, narsol, etc that are part of the current system.
Being properly informed can take a huge burden off of ones shoulders. For that I thank you and everyone that contributes, regardless as to whether it’s monetary or informational.