Partnerships for the Future 1 Our Relationship and Our Future: The Role of State Associations Florida Regional Councils Association Sheri Coven Director

Partnerships for the Future 1

Our Relationship and Our Future:The Role of State Associations

Florida Regional Councils Association

Sheri CovenDirector of Intergovernmental Affairs

2014 Annual Professional Development ConferenceThe Grand Hotel, Point Clear, Alabama

May 19, 2014


Florida Regional Councils Association:Overview

• Structure• Budget• Benefits and

Services• Strategic

Assessment Retreat• Take Away

Florida Chamber FoundationSix Pillars Communities Award

2013


Florida Regional Councils Association:Structure

Regional Planning Councils

• 11 regions in Florida• Each RPC Board

• 2/3 local elected officials• 1/3 gubernatorial appointees


Florida Regional Councils Association• Created in 1976• Governed by a Policy Board• Supported by an Executive Directors Advisory Committee• Guided by

• By-Laws last amended in June, 2009• Memorandum of Understanding to Provide Technical Assistance• Code of Ethics and Best Practices

• Staffed by a Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and contract Lobbyist/Executive Director

Florida Regional Councils Association:Structure


2013-14 FRCA Annual Budget• $275,000• Dues: 70% equally and 30% per capita• Budget Categories

• Executive Director and Expenses• Intergovernmental Services• Policy Board Expenses• RPC Directors’ Meetings• Miscellaneous

Florida Regional Councils Association:Budget


FRCA serves to:• Encourage the consistent and skilled delivery of

services through a single point of contact RPC thereby increasing access to funding and resources

• Add value to state and regional initiatives and foster partnerships thereby elevating the importance/stature of RPCs

• Enhance regional economic development• Advocate on behalf of Florida’s RPCs• Build capacity among Florida’s RPCs

Florida Regional Councils Association:Benefits and Services


Statewide Service Delivery• Lead Regional Planning Council• Subcontractor Regional Planning Councils• Reduces contract management for grantor• Facilitates resource development and an increased ROI

Examples of Cooperative Statewide Projects

• Statewide Regional Evacuation Study• Emergency Management / Homeland Security• Florida Energy Resiliency Report



Adding Value/Building Partnerships• Partnering without compensation builds strategic

alliances• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity• Florida Department of Transportation• Florida Energy Office• Currently serve on or participate in 12 statewide initiatives

• Pay your dues• Florida Chamber of Commerce • Floridians for Better Transportation

• Over 40 other state and regional agencies and entities



Regional Economic Development• Florida Strategic Plan for Economic Development• CEDS Alignment• Florida Chamber Foundation• Six Pillars of Florida’s Future

Economy• Regional metrics website• Access to economic modeling

tools





Advocacy• Advocate on behalf of Florida’s RPCs in the Legislative

and Executive branches of government• Legislative platform• State appropriation• Bill tracking reports and legislative updates



Building Capacity• Regular exchange of information, ideas,

and best practices• Coordination member associations • Redesigned Annual Report and Directory• FRCA Brochure• FRCA Website• FRCA Board Member Orientation• FRCA Strategic Assessment Retreat



Overview• January 9-10, 2014 in Tallahassee• Policy Board actively participated• Executive Directors served as a resource but did not

engage• Facilitated by Southeast Regional Directors Institute• Included face-to-face interviews with key stakeholders

and an online survey of members, public and private sector stakeholders, and others within each region

• Resulted in a series of recommendations for moving FRCA forward

Florida Regional Councils Association:Strategic Assessment Retreat


Strategies Moving Forward• Create of Gubernatorial Advisory Committee(s)• Develop a Communications Plan• Work more closely with the city and county associations• Develop a business development plan to identify

funding sources• Create a statewide focus on core RPC programs• Develop a common agenda with city and county

associations• Continue to carry out RPC role as regional conveners• Enhance RPC role as data centers



Outcomes• Somewhat painful but healthy dialog• Created value/buy-in and enthusiasm among Policy

Board members• Creation of a short-term action plan

• Creation of Gubernatorial Advisory Committee(s)• Communications Plan

• Brought “elephant in the room” issues to light• Boundaries• Weak links



• Budget Commitment

• Active Participation

• Full-Time Staff

• Consistent Presence

• Policy Board

• Relationship Building

• Internal Alliances

Florida Regional Councils Association:Take Away


Florida Regional Councils Association:Take Away

You are only as strong as your weakest link!


Sheri CovenDirector of Intergovernmental Affairs

[email protected] 850.294.0526

VISIT: www.flregionalcouncils.org

Florida Regional Councils Association:Questions?

Documents

Partnerships for the Future 1 Our Relationship and Our Future: The Role of State Associations Florida Regional Councils Association Sheri Coven Director