FAC Weekly Update 2026-06-30-NARSOL Conference Recap, National Momentum, and Membership Call

Weekly update for June 30, 2026. This is recording number 378

Dear Members and Advocates,

This past week, members of FAC attended the annual conference hosted by the National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (NARSOL – of which FAC is the Florida affiliate). The conference brought together advocates, attorneys, researchers, and leaders from around the country to discuss legislative developments, litigation strategies, public education efforts, and the future of registry reform.

About 150 people from across the country attended in person, including more than a dozen from Florida. FAC also maintained an information table throughout the conference, distributing brochures and materials and ensuring that Florida’s efforts were well represented among attendees from across the nation.

One of the most encouraging takeaways from the conference was the tremendous respect and recognition FAC received from advocates in other states. Numerous attendees specifically commended Florida’s advocacy efforts, our member communication, our legal challenges, our social media and PR initiatives. Despite the unique challenges we face in Florida, our work is being noticed and appreciated nationwide.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was unity. Across the country, organizations are increasingly recognizing that progress is achieved when advocates, attorneys, researchers, treatment professionals, and affected individuals work together toward common goals. The spirit of collaboration was evident in nearly every session and conversation.

We were also pleased to make several valuable professional connections. Conference attendees had the opportunity to network with researchers, including a graduate student researcher who committed to assist FAC. We also spent time with NARSOL’s legal staff to talk about our forthcoming legal challenge – the effects of which will hopefully be felt nationwide. These relationships help strengthen the national movement and create opportunities for future collaboration.

One particularly exciting development came from attorney Gilbert Schaffnit, who coordinated a gathering of attorneys attending the conference. The group discussed creating an ongoing forum to meet regularly, share ideas, brainstorm litigation strategies, coordinate advocacy efforts, and support one another’s work on a national basis. This type of collaboration has the potential to strengthen legal challenges and reform efforts across the country.

Speaking of Mr. Schaffnit, FAC was honored to present the Jeanne Baker Humanity Award to attorney Gilbert Schaffnit in recognition of his extraordinary commitment, dedication, and service to our community. Gilbert’s advocacy, leadership, and willingness to stand alongside impacted individuals embody the very spirit of the award.

Several conversations reinforced that FAC’s public relations and media outreach efforts are gaining attention and support from organizations in other states. As more groups recognize the importance of changing public perception through education and strategic communications, opportunities for collaboration continue to grow. If you’re not following us on social media or subscribed to our newsletters (I guess by virtue of you receiving this you are – so get others to), please follow us, subscribe, like and share our posts.

For those who were unable to attend, there is good news. NARSOL intends to make conference session recordings available on YouTube in the coming weeks. We will notify members as soon as those recordings become available. Conference packets and materials will also be shared as soon as they are scanned and formatted.

Finally, we invite all members to join us for this week’s Monthly Membership Call this Thursday, July 2 (call in information is below). We will facilitate a NARSOL Conference Recap, sharing highlights from the conference, discussing emerging trends in the movement, and answering questions from members. If you could not attend the conference, this will be an excellent opportunity to hear about the key takeaways and learn what’s happening around the country.

Thank you to everyone who was able to represent Florida at the conference and to all our members who continue supporting our mission. The movement for reform is growing, collaboration is increasing, and FAC remains at the forefront of the fight.

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee