#FACCFall2026
October 4-8, 2026
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
600 US Highway 41
Palmetto, FL 34221
Scroll down this page to download the session handouts.
Watch our Know Before You Go Webinar here for helpful event details and reminders.
If you have not registered yet, after September 30, please register on-site.
ITA (Ideas to Action) Forms
If you would like to receive education credit, you must scan your name badge after each session AND complete an ITA (Ideas to Action) form for every session attended.
All ITA forms must be submitted by Monday, October 26, 2026.
We have a new process for downloading and submitting your ITA forms. To download and submit your ITA forms, click or scan below to get started.
Session Handouts
Athenian Dialogues:
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Edition) by John C. Maxwell:
It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell:
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FIRST YEAR TRACK
Monday:
First-Time Attendees’ Important Orientation and Education Basics:
- Handout 1 – Welcome Letter
- Handout 2 – CMC Step by Step Guide
- Handout 3 – IIMC CMC Application Resource Tool
Clerk Talk: The Essentials & Beyond
Clerk Talk: Foundations & Next Steps
Publish, Post, Pass! Ordinances & Resolutions
- Handout 1 – Advertising Guidelines
- Handout 2 – Legal Language Examples
- Handout 3 – Municipal Guide
- Handout 4 – PPT Slides
- Handout 5 – Writing Ordinances
- Handout 6 – Writing Resolutions
Been There, Clerked That: Q&A with Experienced Clerks – No Handouts
Tuesday:
Understanding Local Government Structure AND Understanding Local Government Functions
Ready, Set, Elect! Understanding Municipal Elections 101
Ready, Set, Elect! Understanding Municipal Elections 102
Wednesday:
Joint Session: What’s New in Budgeting and Reporting: What Clerks Need to Know & Why It Matters
Joint Session: Florida Public Records Management: From Compliance to Confidence
Joint Session: Beyond the Box: The Future of Records Management
Thursday:
Color Me Curious: Discovering Your True Colors AND True Colors, Real Conversations: Navigating Communication & Conflict
- Handout 1 – Participant Journal
- Handout 2 – Power Combos
- Handout 3 – Stressors
- Handout 4 – The Power of Listening
- Handout 5 – What Irritates Co-Workers
- Handout 6 – Teammates
- Handout 7 – True Colors
- Handout 8 – PPT Slides
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SECOND/THIRD YEAR TRACK
Monday:
The People Side of Work: Handling Personnel Issues with Confidence
- Handout 1 – Competency Based Interview Questions
- Handout 2 – Job Description
- Handout 3 – Packet
- Handout 4 – PPT Slides
Performance Matters: Turning Expectations into Results
Dial Back Your Stress
Be Happy at Work
Tuesday:
Balancing Priorities When Everything is Priority #1 AND Too Many Tabs Open? Managing Multiple Projects Like a Pro
Managing Change in These Crazy Times
Dealing with Negative and Difficult People
Wednesday:
Joint Session: What’s New in Budgeting and Reporting: What Clerks Need to Know & Why It Matters
Joint Session: Florida Public Records Management: From Compliance to Confidence
Joint Session: Beyond the Box: The Future of Records Management
Thursday:
Leadership That Makes a Difference AND Speaking with Confidence
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MMC/ADVANCED TRACK
Monday:
Codification: Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned
Everyday AI: How Real People Integrate AI into Their Daily Tasks, Projects, & Workflows
Boards at Their Best: Advisory Boards Best Practices
Surviving First Amendment Audits & Citizen Journalist Encounters
Tuesday:
How Better Communication Builds Stronger Leaders
Emotional Intelligence for Effective Public Leadership
Recall Elections & Other Monsters: Entering the Weeds AND Recall Elections & Other Challenges: Surviving the Thicket
Wednesday:
Joint Session: What’s New in Budgeting and Reporting: What Clerks Need to Know & Why It Matters
Attendee Registration
Important Dates:
Hotel Cutoff September 10
Early Registration Ends September 10
Cancellation Requests September 18
Advance Registration Closes September 30
After September 30, please register on-site.
Note: In order to receive the member registration rate, FACC dues must be paid first. Renew Dues
If you have any questions regarding which CMC track (First-Year or Second/Third-Year) you should attend, please contact Leslie Howington, Education Coordinator, Florida Institute of Government at [email protected] or 850.645.6700.
Refunds: cancellations must be in writing and emailed to [email protected]. Substitutions may be made at any time with advance notice. All cancellations received by Friday, September 18, 2026, will be entitled to a refund minus a $50 administrative fee.
Download Registration Form Only
Download One Day Only Registration Form
After September 30, please register on-site.
Questions? Call 850.222.9684 or email FACC staff.
Hotel Information
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
600 US Highway 41
Palmetto, FL 34221
Important Date: Hotel Cutoff September 10
Click here to download a list of alternate hotels in the area.
The room rate is $261.50 per night plus tax, which includes the mandatory resort fee. The hotel offers our group the following parking concessions: complimentary overnight self-parking, overnight valet parking at $35 per night, and daily valet parking at $15 per car.
Know Before You Go Informational Webinar
A Know Before You Go Informational Webinar about the Fall Academy was held on September 28.
To watch this free webinar for helpful event details and reminders, click here.
This webinar is for informational purposes only; it is not approved for any CMC/MMC points or hours.
Pre-Academy Workshops: Athenian Dialogues
Two different Athenian Dialogues will be offered on Sunday, October 4.
Athenian Dialogue: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Edition) by John C. Maxwell
This Athenian Dialogue discusses the book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Edition) by John C. Maxwell. Through guided discussion, participants will explore key leadership principles such as influence, empowerment, intuition, respect, and legacy, and consider how they apply to real-world situations. Drawing on examples, this dialogue will discuss and share insights and lessons learned from the book. Join the conversation to strengthen your leadership skills and gain practical ideas you can apply in your professional and personal life.
Presented by: Camilla G. Pitman, MMC, Certified Professional Legal Secretary, City Clerk, Greenville, SC
Athenian Dialogue: It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell
This Athenian Dialogue discusses the book It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell. Drawing on a lifetime of military service, public leadership, and personal experience, Powell presents a collection of lessons and principles that guided his remarkable career. Through thoughtful discussion and reflection, participants will examine enduring themes of leadership, integrity, resilience, communication, and accountability. This Dialogue offers an opportunity to consider how Powell’s practical wisdom can be applied to both professional and personal challenges, inspiring participants to lead with purpose, strength, and confidence.
Presented by: Michael L. Abels, ICMA-CM, Retired City Manager, DeLand, FL
Choose one dialogue to attend.
All participants must have completed the book in its entirety as a prerequisite.
Dialogues are conversations among participants, and due to the small class size, offer the opportunity to share experiences, professional and personal, as they relate to the author or the characters in the book.
Athenian Dialogues explore leadership qualities in yourself. Take notes as you read the book and bring your favorite quote. Athenian Leadership Society Dialogues are for a minimum of 10 and limited to 30 participants per session, on a first-come, first-served basis.
*These Athenian Dialogues have been pre-approved for three IIMC CMC or MMC education points with the satisfactory, timely completion of a learning assessment.
Registration is $100, plus purchase of the book; lunch is on your own from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Buddy Program
Is this your first time attending an FACC Fall Academy? If so, sign up for an event buddy by contacting FACC Mentoring Committee Chair Jennifer R. Carfagno, MMC (City Clerk, City of Pinellas Park) at [email protected]. An event buddy will be assigned to you to help you navigate the Academy and answer any questions you may have.
If you have attended past events and would like to serve as a buddy to a new attendee, please contact Jennifer.
Clerks’ Night Out
🍂👢 Clerks’ Night Out (but it’s Clerks’ Night IN this year)! 👢🍂
Boots, Bites & a Whole Lotta Line Dancing!
After a long day of learning, it’s time to kick off those work shoes, pull on your boots, and hit the dance floor!
What better way to welcome FALL than with a little LINE DANCING with your favorite Clerk Family?
And the best part? You don’t even have to leave the property!
Clerks’ Night Out is usually off-site, but this year it’s on-site!
🎶 LINE DANCING • LAUGHTER • FOOD • FRIENDS • FUN! 🎶
$35 per person includes:
🍴Light hors d’oeuvres
🧊Tea & Lemonade
🍹Cash Bar Available
👢Line Dancing & plenty of FUN!
Whether you’re a seasoned line dancer or have two left boots, come join us! No experience necessary — just bring your sense of humor and your willingness to have a great time.
🤠 PUT YOUR BOOTS ON & LET’S LINE DANCE!
Come relax, laugh, dance, and make some memories after a full day of learning.
Good food. Good music. Great Clerk Family.
Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Where: North Pre-Function
- Cost: $35 per person (non-refundable; however, substitutions are allowed)
How to Register:
- Payments must be made online using a credit or debit card. No checks allowed.
- Registration is not complete until payment has been received.
- If you have already registered for the Fall Academy, email FACC staff [email protected] to register; a payment link will be emailed to you for this additional event and you can submit payment online. If you have not registered for the Fall Academy, simply include Clerks’ Night Out with your online registration. You can also register for Clerks’ Night Out on-site at the academy registration desk.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Donations Needed for Welcome Bags & Door Prizes
The Fall Academy Host Committee is asking for your help to make this year’s academy extra special!
Welcome Bag Items Needed
We are seeking donations of “City Treasures” and other small items to include in attendee welcome bags. We will be assembling 225 welcome bags, and all contributions are greatly appreciated. Suggested items include:
– Snacks or candy
– City‑branded or promotional items
– Pens or office supplies
– Hand lotion or hand sanitizer
– Small tissue packs
– Items of interest from your community
Door Prizes Needed
We are also accepting donations for academy door prizes. If you’re willing to contribute a gift basket, prize, or gift card, please consider items such as:
– Gift cards
– Goody or themed baskets
– Candles
– Jewelry
– Other fun or unique items
Delivery Details & Deadlines
– Welcome bag items must be mailed in advance or delivered to the academy registration desk by Sunday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m.
– Door prizes may be mailed in advance or delivered to the academy registration desk by Tuesday, October 6.
Items may be mailed to Host Committee Co-Chairs:
City Clerk James R. Freeman, CMC, MBA, CIA, FRA-RP
Deputy City Clerk Cassi L. Bailey, CMC, CPPT
City of Palmetto
516 8th Ave W
Palmetto, FL 34221-5122
Questions? Please contact Host Committee Co-Chairs James Freeman at [email protected] and Cassi Bailey at [email protected].
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support in helping create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all academy attendees!
Event Attire
Attire for this event is business casual.
Meeting rooms are often cool, so you may wish to bring a sweater.
Light Continental Breakfasts
A light continental breakfast is provided for the Athenian Dialogue attendees on the morning of Sunday, October 4.
A light continental breakfast will be provided for Fall Academy attendees on the mornings of Monday, October 5, through Thursday, October 8.
Pink to the Extreme Contest
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FACC encourages attendees to wear pink on Monday, October 5.
Dress in the most extreme amount of pink clothes and accessories you have and participate in the Pink to the Extreme Contest. You could win a $50 discount to a future FACC event! This prize can be applied to the 2027 Summer Conference & Academy, a live webinar of your choice from November 2026 through July 2027, or a pre-recorded webinar. This prize must be used before the end of July 2027. Get involved and support our Pink to the Extreme Contest in support of breast cancer awareness!
Questions About the Event?
Contact [email protected].