This is an informal session for new attendees to meet your FACC Board, as well as the FACC executive director, FACC staff, and staff from the Institute of Government. Please join us for a brief but informative session to learn how your association can assist you with your professional goals and challenges, and to get to know you as well.

Every successful Municipal Clerk starts with a strong foundation. This session explores the core responsibilities, legal obligations, and everyday practices that define the Clerk's role. Participants will gain an understanding of key functions that support effective local government operations while learning practical tips for staying organized, compliant, and confident. Discover how mastering the essentials can set the stage for long-term success.

Building a successful Municipal Clerk career requires more than understanding the basics. This session looks ahead to the skills, resources, and professional development opportunities that help Clerks grow and thrive. Participants will explore strategies for expanding their knowledge, strengthening professional relationships, and preparing for new challenges and responsibilities. Walk away with a roadmap for continued learning and career advancement.

Ordinances and resolutions are essential tools for carrying out local government business, and Municipal Clerks play a critical role in managing them throughout the legislative process. This interactive session introduces the purpose and key components of ordinances and resolutions, as well as the steps involved in their adoption. Participants will learn best practices for drafting, formatting, recordkeeping, and version control while exploring common mistakes and how to avoid them. Through practical examples and discussion, attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to effectively support their governing body and maintain accurate legislative records.

Join a panel of experienced Municipal Clerks for an interactive discussion on elections, records management, ethics, meetings, and other common challenges. Panelists will share lessons learned, best practices, and practical solutions drawn from real-world experience. Bring your questions and learn directly from seasoned professionals who have successfully navigated the role.

People issues are often the most challenging part of a supervisor's job, but they don't have to be the most stressful. This engaging session provides practical guidance for navigating everyday personnel situations, from legal interview questions and hiring the right person the first time to proper documentation and maintaining professional boundaries. You will learn how to make sound decisions that support team members and the municipality.

Strong performance management begins long before a formal evaluation. This session explores how to set clear expectations, communicate goals, provide meaningful feedback, and address performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner. Participants will learn strategies for coaching employees, documenting performance issues, and creating a culture of accountability that supports both individual growth and organizational success. Whether managing a new employee or an experienced team member, you'll leave with practical tools to help turn expectations into results.

Stress is an unavoidable part of both our professional and personal lives, but it does not have to control how we work or live. This session explores common workplace stressors, the physical and mental effects of stress, and practical techniques for managing pressure throughout the day. Participants will identify their personal stress triggers, assess their current coping strategies, and learn actionable methods to improve focus, resilience, and long-term well-being.

Happy employees are productive employees. Maintaining a positive outlook and renewed sense of purpose can improve performance, engagement, and job satisfaction. This session examines the connection between happiness and productivity, offering strategies to stay motivated, energized, and focused on both organizational goals and daily responsibilities. Participants will discover simple ways to cultivate positivity, strengthen workplace relationships, and create a more fulfilling work experience.

A well-maintained municipal code is essential to effective governance, legal compliance, and public transparency. This session explores the process of updating and maintaining your municipality's code, from adopting ordinances and tracking amendments to working with codification services and ensuring changes are accurately reflected in the published code. Participants will gain practical tips, best practices, and a better understanding of the Clerk's role in keeping the municipal code organized, current, and accessible. Whether you're managing routine updates or tackling larger code revisions, this session will help you confidently navigate the process and avoid common pitfalls.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept. It's a practical tool that people use every day to save time, spark creativity, streamline projects, and work more efficiently. In this engaging session, you will explore real-world examples of how professionals are incorporating AI into their daily routines, from drafting emails and organizing information to managing projects, creating content, and solving everyday workplace challenges. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini, this session will provide practical ideas, lessons learned, and actionable tips you can put to use right away. Discover what's working, what's not, and how AI can become a valuable partner, helping you work smarter, not harder.

Join us for an engaging and candid conversation about the world of municipal advisory boards. Drawing from real-world experiences, best practices, lessons learned, and the occasional "what do we do now?" moment, this interactive session will explore the practical side of managing advisory boards, from recruitment and onboarding to training, engagement, compliance, and everything in between. This session is less presentation, more conversation. A significant portion will be devoted to Q&A and peer-to-peer discussion, giving Clerks an opportunity to share what works, compare approaches, troubleshoot common challenges, and maybe even discover that the "unique" advisory boards issue in your municipality isn't so unique after all.

Citizen journalists and First Amendment auditors are becoming increasingly common in public spaces, yet many public employees are still caught off guard when these encounters occur. When handled poorly, these interactions can damage public confidence, create unnecessary conflict, and expose organizations to legal challenges. This session provides practical guidance for navigating these situations professionally and confidently. Participants will gain an understanding of current First Amendment considerations, effective communication techniques, and strategies for maintaining composure during challenging interactions. Attendees will leave better equipped to respond appropriately, protect the public trust, and represent their organizations with professionalism and confidence.

Florida's local governments are built on a framework designed to provide effective representation, community leadership, and essential public services. In this session, participants will explore the structure of municipal government, including the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, administrative leadership, boards, committees, and constitutional officers. Gain a clearer understanding of how these entities work together to serve residents and support sound governance. Led by an experienced local government educator, this session provides a foundation for understanding the organizational framework that shapes municipal operations and decision-making.

What does local government do, and how does it impact the daily lives of residents? This session examines the core functions of municipal government, from providing essential services and implementing public policy to budgeting, planning, public safety, and community development. Participants will gain practical insight into how local governments fulfill their responsibilities and respond to the needs of their communities. Through real-world examples and expert guidance, attendees will develop a deeper appreciation for the vital role local government plays and the important contributions Municipal Clerks make in supporting transparency, accountability, and effective public service.

Whether you're preparing for your first municipal election or simply need a refresher, this interactive session provides a foundational overview of the municipal election process. Participants will explore how the Florida Election Code intersects with municipal charters and ordinances while learning the key steps in election planning and administration. Topics include election calendars, budgeting, coordination with your Supervisor of Elections, candidate qualifying requirements, and critical deadlines leading up to Election Day. Bring your questions and gain practical tools to build confidence in managing the election process from the start.

Building on the fundamentals covered in Understanding Municipal Elections 101, this interactive session follows the election process through voting, canvassing, certification, and post-election responsibilities. Participants will examine Vote-by-Mail procedures, Election Day operations, canvassing board functions, election records retention requirements, and post-election reporting obligations. Through practical discussion and real-world examples, attendees will deepen their understanding of municipal election administration while sharing experiences, addressing common challenges, and preparing for a successful election cycle from start to finish.

Competing demands, constant interruptions, and ever-growing responsibilities can make it difficult to focus on what matters most. This session will help participants distinguish between being busy and being productive while developing practical strategies to prioritize tasks, make intentional decisions, and stay aligned with their goals. Participants will learn how clarity of purpose, effective goal setting, and proven prioritization techniques can help them work smarter, reduce stress, and achieve greater success both professionally and personally.

Managing several projects at once requires more than strong organizational skills. It requires a system to stay focused, meet deadlines, and maintain momentum without becoming overwhelmed. In this interactive session, participants will explore tools and techniques for organizing competing responsibilities, establishing efficient routines, improving meeting effectiveness, and leveraging the power of habits to drive results. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to streamline their workload, maximize productivity, and confidently manage multiple projects in today's fast-paced work environment.

Change is constant in today's workplace, from new technologies and evolving regulations to shifting priorities and unexpected challenges. This engaging session will help participants develop the mindset and skills needed to navigate change with confidence, adaptability, and resilience. Through interactive discussion, practical examples, and audience participation, attendees will learn strategies for managing uncertainty, embracing new opportunities, reducing stress, and maintaining productivity during times of transition. Leave with actionable tools to help you lead yourself and support others through change, no matter what comes next.

Every workplace has challenging personalities, but difficult interactions do not have to derail your success. In this lively and interactive session, participants will learn practical techniques for communicating effectively, setting healthy boundaries, managing conflict, and responding professionally to negative behaviors. Through real-world scenarios, audience participation, and plenty of humor, attendees will gain valuable skills to build stronger working relationships, reduce workplace tension, and maintain a positive attitude even in challenging situations. Walk away with strategies you can immediately apply to handle difficult people with confidence, professionalism, and grace.

Communication challenges can create tension, misunderstandings, and frustration in any organization, often because of how a message is delivered rather than the message itself. Effective leaders understand that people communicate, process information, and respond differently based on their individual styles and perspectives. This interactive workshop helps participants identify their own communication style and explore how it influences their leadership approach, strengths, and potential blind spots. Attendees will learn to recognize the communication styles of others and adapt their approach to build trust, improve collaboration, and reduce misunderstandings. Through practical examples and real-world applications, participants will gain tools to strengthen relationships, enhance team dynamics, and communicate with greater confidence and influence.

In today's fast-paced and highly visible environment, leadership is not just about policy; it is about people. Effective public leaders must build trust, navigate conflict, and communicate with clarity and confidence, especially during challenging situations. This engaging session explores the role emotional intelligence plays in successful leadership and offers practical strategies for strengthening self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal effectiveness. Participants will learn techniques for managing emotional responses, improving active listening, making thoughtful decisions, and addressing conflict constructively. Attendees will leave with practical tools to foster stronger relationships, create a positive workplace culture, and lead with greater confidence, influence, and impact.

Some challenges in local government require Clerks to navigate complex legal processes and high-stakes public scrutiny. This session takes a closer look at recall elections, citizen petitions, ballot initiatives, and other issues that can quickly become complicated. Through real-world case studies and practical examples, experienced Florida City Clerks will explore the procedures, timelines, and compliance requirements that often accompany these situations. Participants will gain a better understanding of their role, potential pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for staying organized and prepared. Whether anticipated or unexpected, these challenges require careful attention to detail and a steady hand.

When controversy arises, Clerks are often called upon to lead with professionalism, accuracy, and composure. Building on the concepts introduced earlier, this interactive panel discussion focuses on election-related controversies and other high-pressure situations. Experienced Florida City Clerks will share lessons learned, practical advice, and strategies for navigating difficult circumstances while maintaining compliance and public trust. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from the real-world experiences of their peers. The session concludes with an open Q&A designed to help attendees prepare for the unexpected and confidently handle challenges when they arise.

Florida's budgeting and reporting requirements continue to evolve, making it more important than ever for City Clerks to stay informed and prepared. This session will highlight recent legislative changes, emerging financial reporting expectations, and key deadlines that impact local governments. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the Clerk's role in supporting budget transparency, public notice requirements, and compliance throughout the fiscal year. The discussion will also explore how new state policies and regulatory trends may affect municipal operations and decision-making. Leave with valuable insights and resources to help your organization navigate change with confidence.

Strong records management is at the heart of effective local government, and Municipal Clerks play a critical role in ensuring compliance, transparency, and organizational efficiency. This session provides a practical foundation in Florida public records management, covering the laws, regulations, and best practices that govern the creation, maintenance, retention, access, and disposition of public records. Participants will explore key topics including public records requests, records retention schedules, electronic records management, vital records protection, and disaster preparedness. This session will equip attendees with the knowledge and confidence needed to successfully manage records programs that support legal compliance, public trust, and continuity of operations.

As technology evolves and public expectations continue to shift, records management is becoming more complex and more important than ever. This forward-looking session explores emerging trends, advanced practices, and the opportunities shaping the future of public records administration. Participants will examine topics such as electronic recordkeeping strategies, public records access and exemptions, working with First Amendment auditors, municipal records program standards, artificial intelligence, automation, and organizational approaches that promote efficiency and accountability. Through discussion of real-world challenges and innovative solutions, attendees will gain valuable insights for leading modern records programs and preparing their organizations for the future of records stewardship.

Participants will learn how the True Colors personality framework can provide valuable insight into their own communication style, motivations, strengths, and workplace preferences. Through self-assessment and interactive discussion, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how personality differences influence collaboration, decision-making, and professional relationships. Participants will explore strategies for adapting their communication approach, appreciating diverse perspectives, and working more effectively with colleagues whose styles may differ from their own. By the end of the session, attendees will be better equipped to build stronger workplace connections, reduce misunderstandings, and contribute to a more positive and productive work environment.

Participants will learn how to apply True Colors insights to strengthen communication, enhance teamwork, and navigate workplace challenges with confidence. Using real-world scenarios and practical exercises, attendees will explore techniques for building trust, improving collaboration, and adapting their communication style to meet the needs of different personalities. The session will also examine common sources of workplace conflict and provide tools for addressing disagreements constructively and professionally. Participants will leave with practical strategies for fostering stronger teams, managing difficult conversations, and creating a more engaged and effective workplace culture.

Effective leadership requires more than managing tasks. It requires the ability to inspire others, communicate a clear vision, and build trust through every interaction. This interactive session explores practical leadership strategies that help professionals motivate staff, navigate challenges, and advance organizational goals. Participants will learn how to establish credibility, build rapport, encourage engagement, and lead with confidence in a variety of situations. Whether leading a team meeting, presenting to elected officials, or working with the public, attendees will gain tools to become more impactful and influential leaders.

Confident communication is an essential skill for every municipal professional. This hands-on session provides proven techniques for organizing thoughts, delivering messages effectively, and responding confidently when called upon at the last minute. Participants will learn advanced public speaking strategies that go beyond basic presentation skills, including how to read an audience, capture attention, and maintain engagement. The session will explore ways to overcome common communication challenges while increasing presence, credibility, and influence. Attendees will leave with practical tools to communicate more effectively and inspire action from audiences of any size.