Recording #273
Dear Members and Advocates,
We are just 10 days away from Geneva Switzerland! Thanks to everyone who made a donation to the FAC General Fund last month, our President, Gail Colletta has her plane tickets, hotel accommodations and SPEECH ready to address the United Nations Human Rights Commission. She is also scheduled for side meetings and events with other groups attending from the United States such as a team from the International Human Rights Law Clinic at Berkeley Law School, California. Gail will be our Guest Speaker on the November 2 Membership call when she will share her experience and the next steps. Since we were able to secure great travel fares, it will lower our fundraising goal, but we are still short, so we are leaving the fundraising meter up until October 15th. We are asking that you consider a donation in any amount ($5, $10, $50, ??) to help defray the costs of this AMAZINIG opportunity on behalf of all FAC members. Every dollar counts, please chip in and make a small donation to the FAC General Fund at https://floridaactioncommittee.org/donations/ before October 15th.
On the home front, did you know that we have a Legislative Team? These are active FAC members that want to be more involved in understanding how laws are passed, and how to effectively communicate with our Legislators. Participating on the team does not mean that you need to be in the spotlight.
We need help behind the scenes, too. Some members choose to make phone calls, research issues, or write letters. Others are ready to present a 2-minute speech, while still others are simply attending the Legislative Delegation meetings as an interested citizen in the audience; they are there to support our speakers, meet their legislator or aide, or just to put a face on the decision makers. Local lawmakers and community leaders are also in attendance with the Florida House and Senate officials that represent your area.
Between August and December, Legislative Delegation meetings are taking place in every county in Florida. These meetings are a great opportunity to stand up and speak up. But if you are not ready to speak, show up and see your legislators in action.
Follow the Legislative Delegation post on the website for an update on scheduled meetings and what to do if you want to speak at a meeting. It is important that you represent yourself as an individual, and not as “Florida Action Committee”, for a few reasons. Most importantly is, because our voices as individuals impacted by the legal system speak louder than an “organization” ever could. Legislators need to see constituents (voters in their district) as everyday people who are feeling the weight of the extreme sex offense laws in the state of Florida.
We are learning this year that some of the meetings are being held in locations that are either off-limits to registered citizens or require some advanced notification to attend these public meetings. FAC is already addressing this issue with legal counsel, but it is not likely to change locations that are scheduled this year. If you are denied access to a meeting, after providing the necessary notification at locations (such as meetings held on school property), then contact FAC immediately.
On tonight’s Monthly Membership call, members of the Legislative team will share with you their experiences, and what you need to know about attending or speaking at a Legislative Delegation meeting. They will also help you develop a 2-minute speech to address a topic of interest to you and your family.
This year, we hope that there will be at least one person at every Legislative Delegation meeting that can speak for just 2-minutes on the impact of residency restrictions for persons that need to find assisted living, or to justify the need to for an effective means of removal from the Registry, or other topics. Now imagine if there were 3, 5, 10 people to speak at each of the 67 public meetings, ensuring that every Legislator, county commissioner, mayor, sheriff and community residents in attendance heard them speak. That is our goal.
Join us tonight at 8pm ET to hear how you can get involved.
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee (FAC)
833-273-7325 Option 1
ANNOUCEMENTS
Monday Night Support Group – Open to registered citizens and family members, every Monday at 8pmET. Call 760-548-9898 to participate in a group support call facilitated by FAC Regional Coordinators. Find comfort, motivation and encouragement with other members in this no-judgement zone as they share common concerns and interests.
Monthly Membership Call – Thu Oct 5 at 8pm ET. 319-527-3487. Topic: Legislative Delegation meetings and protocol. If you have any problem connecting to the call for free, you can text CALL ME to 319-527-3487 for a call back from Free Conference Call and you will be connected to the meeting at no charge.
New Member Orientation Call – Thu Oct 12 at 8pm ET. 319-527-3487. NO Agenda. Call in to learn more about the organization, volunteer opportunities, where to find support, get resources and referrals, or just share information. If you have any problem connecting for free, you can text CALL ME to 319-527-3487 for a call back from Free Conference Call and you will be connected to the meeting at no charge.
Family Support Group – Sat Oct 14 from 11am-1pm. By Invitation only for non-registered family members with loved ones on the Registry. Must be an FAC member. To participate, contact [email protected] or call 833-273-7325, Option 1.
SHINE Women’s Group [Women Forced to Register]. For details and more information, contact Danell at [email protected] or leave message at 772-494-1947.
Legislative Delegation Meetings – Check schedule for meeting near you. This is your opportunity to speak publicly on issues that concern your family and our community. For help in preparing a 3-minute speech, or to learn more about the meetings, join the legislative team by contacting [email protected] or leave message at call 822-273-7325.
MEET and GREETS
Sat Oct 14- Apopka (Orange) – Noon -3pm – Guest Employment Specialist. How to win over the job interview with No Labels. Learn to market yourself based on your skills, talents, and strengths. RSVP to [email protected] or 833-273-7325 Option 1.
Sat Oct 21–Palatka (Putnam) – noon- 3:00pm – Enjoy an Outdoor BBQ meeting on the property of a member. Bring your fishing pole and lawn chairs. For details and location RSVP to [email protected] or 833-273-7325
Sat Oct 21–Spring Hill (Hernando) – 2:00pm-4:00pm. RSVP to hernandoFACc
Sat Nov 4–Clearwater (Pinellas) 1-4pm RSVP to [email protected] or call 217-218-2749.
Sat Nov 4-Apopka (Orange) – Noon -3pm RSVP [email protected] or 833-273-7325 Option 1.
Sat Nov 11–Tallahassee (Leon) 1-4pm RSVP [email protected] or 833-273-7325 Option 1.
Sat Nov 18–Sebring (Highlands) 1-4pm fac.highland[email protected] or leave message at 863-256-3026
Sat Nov 18–Hollywood (Broward) 2-4pm RSVP [email protected] or 833-273-7325 Option 1.
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Staff Writers – Persons familiar with writing effective articles and/or Press Releases. Contact [email protected].
Grant Writers – Contact [email protected]
Moderators – Screen and approve comments on posts. Contact [email protected]
With Unity Comes Change -Get Involved and Volunteer Today!
Florida Action Committee
www.floridaactioncommittee.org
[email protected]
833-273-7325
We can get 15 people at a meeting complaining about a book they’ve never read, surely we can get people who will speak up about the human rights violations PFRs and their loved ones have to live with.
We had an event in town last weekend where people had political petitions and the first thing they asked is “are you registered to vote in Florida?” When you say no, they move to the next person. PFRs don’t have a voice in politics, so we need those who do, whose votes carry weight with elected officials, to speak up. I know people have said this a bazillion times, and I am grateful to Gail and those who advocate, to be the voice of PFRs and those in the “collateral damage” zone.
Please post the letter of invitation from the United Nations! Would like to share it with neighbors who harass my brother who is a registered citizen.
For clarification, it is not a letter of invitation from the United Nations. FAC expressed interest in joining a group that was already planning to go to the UN committee meeting to address the homeless crisis. FAC was invited to join them as the residency restrictions especially in Florida contibute to the increased homeless. We will post more about the group and FACs role.
Who is going with Gale from MCARE?
Attorney David Peery, founder and Executive Director of MCARE. If you are not familiar with them, visit their site at https://miamiracialequity.org. if you are in the Miami area, participate or support their events.
They have a conference call weekly and recent guest was Ron Book.
I pray Gail’s journey will be safe and that the hearing board would be receptive to what she has to say. Go in Peace and return with wisdom.
Proverbs 2:7-8: “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice.”