Finding Common Grounds

President Caraballo shares plan to strengthen relationships with legislators

by Kelli Gemmer, Florida League of Cities

Florida League of Cities (FLC) President Jolien Caraballo, Vice Mayor for the City of Port St. Lucie, has a vision to brew up stronger relationships with legislators this year.

Passionate about advocacy, Caraballo understands that the foundation of effective advocacy begins with solid relationships. That’s why during her one-year term as President, Caraballo will focus on building bridges between legislators and local officials by connecting on issues that unite one another.

“To help us foster and build these relationships, I am excited to announce that this year’s focus will be themed around my way of breaking the ice: coffee and conversation, or what we will call a #commongrounds initiative,” said Caraballo.

A friendly nod toward Caraballo’s love for Cuban coffee, the finding #commongrounds initiative, powered by the FLC, is the idea that a visit to the local coffee shop with state lawmakers can be an excellent first step to build or strengthen relationships. These face-to-face meetings in a low-stress environment can accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. By finding common grounds, elected officials put people over politics, access over agendas and success over shouting.

To aid local officials in this journey to find common grounds with state legislators, Caraballo shared an advocacy toolkit to lay the foundation for a good start. The toolkit provides tips for overcoming the political divide, a three-step process for advocacy, suggestions for hosting roundtables with local lawmakers and more. (Visit flcities.com/commongrounds to see the toolkit.)

#CommonGrounds Advocacy Toolkit

Image courtesy of Florida League of Cities

To kickstart the finding #commongrounds initiative, local elected officials received a package in September that included a coffee mug, coffee grounds and cards that share information on the initiative and a link to the online toolkit.

With lawmakers back in their districts and an election that welcomes newly elected legislators, the finding #commongrounds initiative presents a perfect opportunity to connect or reconnect with state leaders, said Caraballo. She encourages local officials not to talk shop but to get to know their legislators. In her installation speech at the FLC Annual Conference, Caraballo said, “Learn what is important to them, and ask them what you can do to help them have a successful upcoming session.”

Through the finding #commongrounds initiative, local and state leaders can collectively work on the critical issues that unite Florida’s cities and the state such as fostering a stable economy, prioritizing safe communities and supporting quality-of-life amenities. Caraballo acknowledged that there will still be challenges despite finding common grounds.

Local elected officials received a finding #commongrounds package in September.

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities

“There is no doubt in my mind that we are going to have to still fight for our cities. And when those times come, let’s remember that we are 411 cities strong,” said Caraballo. “We are thousands of city officials with a united voice, and that’s a powerful force to use when we have to stand up in committees and advocate against harmful legislation. But my hope is that through your efforts in finding common grounds … our advocacy efforts will be more effective. Ask your legislator to bring home a win bigger than an appropriation or a legislative preemption that does more harm than good.”

There will be additional events and programs throughout the year to help build relationships. The initiative will close with an FLC symposium on finding #commongrounds at the League’s annual conference. The symposium will feature topics that unite Florida, and lawmakers will be invited to attend.

Jolien Caraballo is sworn in as FLC President

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities

Caraballo will also work with FLC to bring advocacy to the forefront through training. Under Caraballo’s leadership, the League will add an advocacy segment to the Florida League of Cities University’s (FLCU’s) Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO) program. The League will also launch a virtual advocacy academy for city officials offered at two levels: new advocates and veteran advocates. In addition, FLCU now offers the Certificate Program for Elected Municipal Officials to recognize elected officials who take part in the League’s many training and advocacy opportunities. (For more information, go to flcities.com/certificate and see p. 3.)

“Let’s bring home a strategic partnership that will benefit all of Florida and all we serve, because Floridians deserve leadership that works for them,” said Caraballo. “With the FLC by our side, we can build these relationships by finding common grounds together and leading the way for our communities today and the next 100 years to come.”

Kelli Gemmer is the Assistant Editor for the Florida League of Cities.

Preparation Tips For Pre-Session

▸ Schedule time to meet with your legislators. Develop and strengthen relationships now; don’t wait until session when you need your legislators’ assistance on an issue. Invite them to coffee, and find common grounds.

▸ Extend an invitation, or share information about specific upcoming events. These events can include commission meetings, town halls, community service/volunteer opportunities, local festivals and local/regional municipal league meetings.

▸ Get to know the legislative staff. Always be courteous. They are your link to getting an appointment.

▸ Share legislative issues that are important to your city. Prepare a one-page summary of these issues that you can leave with legislators and their staff. This summary helps them understand issues that are important to your community.

▸ Invite legislators/staff to visit project facilities. Examples include water treatment plants and community development agency and transportation projects. Talk about how you’re spending the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

▸ View Florida League of Cities (FLC) advocacy resources. Visit flcities.com/advocacy to review resources such as The Advo-Kit advocacy toolkit. Once the 2023 Florida League of Cities (FLC) Legislative Action Agenda is adopted in November, view issue briefs, talking points and more on the Advocacy section of the FLC website.

The finding #commongrounds package included a mug, coffee grounds and cards that share a link to the online toolkit.

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities