If There Are 90,000 People on Florida’s Registry, Why Does FAC Have Only 3,300 Members?

This is a question we occasionally hear: If there are approximately 90,000 people on Florida’s registry, why does the Florida Action Committee have only 3,300 members? Do the other 86,700 agree with the registry?

Hell NO!

Like many advocacy organizations, FAC represents and fights for a population much larger than its membership. The reality is that many people who could benefit from our work never join — not because they disagree with our mission, but because obstacles stand in the way. The good news is that these obstacles can be overcome, and each of us can help.

1) Many people simply don’t know FAC exists. Every year, people are added to the registry or move to Florida from another state. They may never hear about FAC unless someone tells them. We can’t tell you how many times people tell us, “I wish I had known about FAC sooner!”. You can help by sharing our website, social media posts, newsletters, and weekly updates with others who may benefit from our work. Ask if you can leave FAC brochures in your registration office, treatment group or even post one to the bulletin board in Starbucks. If you need brochures, cards or other information on FAC, contact [email protected] or call and and we will gladly send some to you.

2) Some people fear being identified. They worry that joining an advocacy organization will expose them to scrutiny or unwanted attention. If you know someone who shares this concern, remind them that FAC respects privacy and offers many ways to participate without becoming a public face of the movement. In fact, most of our members, the overwhelming majority, don’t even post anonymously. But their numbers count.

3) Others have lost faith. After years—or even decades—of living under registry restrictions, some have concluded that nothing will ever change. History tells a different story. Laws change. Courts change. Public opinion changes. Progress often comes slowly, but it never comes without people willing to continue pushing forward. Share examples of victories, reforms, and successful legal challenges whenever you can and remind them that we will never stop fighting until the registry is abolished.

4) Financial hardship is another barrier. Many people on the registry struggle to find stable employment or housing. They may assume they cannot afford to join or support FAC so why bother. Let them know that participation matters far more than money. Reading updates, sharing information, volunteering time, and staying engaged are all valuable contributions. The $5 monthly membership dues are voluntary and if anyone can’t afford it, we will never deny their participation or membership in FAC.

5) Family concerns can discourage involvement. Spouses, children, and other loved ones sometimes fear stigma or retaliation. One way to overcome this obstacle is by helping families understand that advocacy is not just about registrants—it is about protecting entire families from the collateral consequences of ineffective policies.

6) Some people prefer to lay low. Perhaps they have found stable housing, employment, and support systems and don’t want to do anything to poke the bear. We encourage those individuals to remember that many others remain trapped by restrictions that limit opportunities and separate families. Those who have successfully rebuilt their lives are often the strongest voices for change and have the most to offer others who are still struggling. Things might be stable now, but you never know when a new ordinance will come to your city.

7) The registry population is constantly changing and more than half of the 90,000 are not in Florida communities anyhow. People move, become homeless, enter treatment programs, relocate to other states, or become disconnected from support networks. That is why we encourage members to continually reach out and welcome newcomers into our community. Thousands are being added to the Florida registry each year, which means there are thousands of people we could be helping.

8) Many people are simply exhausted. They are focused on surviving day-to-day challenges—finding work, complying with registration requirements, supporting their families, and dealing with the stress of life under the registry. Advocacy may feel like one more burden. That’s why FAC offers many ways to participate, from simply staying informed to becoming actively involved. Membership does not require anything more than letting us know you exist and support our mission. There is no financial or time commitment.

9) Technology presents another significant challenge. Not everyone has internet access (it’s one of the conditions many of us face), a computer, a smartphone, or familiarity with social media. Some individuals may have restrictions that limit their online activity entirely. If you know someone who may not be connected, consider printing articles, sharing newsletters, making phone calls, or introducing them to FAC through traditional means. Sometimes a simple conversation with someone waiting next to you at the registration office can connect someone to a community they never knew existed.

10) And finally, many people support FAC without ever becoming members. They read our articles, follow our social media, attend our calls, donate occasionally, or benefit from our legal and legislative efforts. Our reach extends far beyond our membership rolls. It’s important to us that people join so that we can have the numbers, we know where people are so if there’s an issue in your community, the County Coordinator can let you know about it, and so that you get invited to meet and greets and have access to the support services we offer.

It’s great that we have more than 3,300 members. But our question to you is: How many more people can we reach together?

If every FAC member introduced just one new person to our organization, our numbers would double. If every member shared one article, made one phone call, or invited one friend or family member to learn more about our work, our collective voice would become even stronger.

So help our movement grow because that’s how laws change.