1. Partnerships for the Future 1 Our Relationship and Our Future: The Role of State Associations Florida Regional Councils Association Sheri Coven Director of Intergovernmental Affairs 2014 Annual Professional Development Conference The Grand Hotel, Point Clear, Alabama May 19, 2014

2. Partnerships for the Future 2 Florida Regional Councils Association: Overview Structure Budget Benefits and Services Strategic Assessment Retreat Take Away Florida Chamber Foundation Six Pillars Communities Award 2013

3. Partnerships for the Future 3 Florida Regional Councils Association: Structure Regional Planning Councils 11 regions in Florida Each RPC Board 2/3 local elected officials 1/3 gubernatorial appointees

4. Partnerships for the Future 4 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

5. Partnerships for the Future 5 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

6. Partnerships for the Future 6 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

7. Partnerships for the Future 7 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Benefits and Services

8. Partnerships for the Future 8 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Benefits and Services

9. Partnerships for the Future 9 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Benefits and Services

10. Partnerships for the Future 10 Florida Regional Councils Association: Benefits and Services

11. Partnerships for the Future 11 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Benefits and Services

12. Partnerships for the Future 12 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Benefits and Services

13. Partnerships for the Future 13 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

14. Partnerships for the Future 14 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Strategic Assessment Retreat

15. Partnerships for the Future 15 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 Florida Regional Councils Association: Strategic Assessment Retreat

16. Partnerships for the Future 16 Budget Commitment Active Participation Full-Time Staff Consistent Presence Policy Board Relationship Building Internal Alliances Florida Regional Councils Association: Take Away

17. Partnerships for the Future 17 Florida Regional Councils Association: Take Away You are only as strong as your weakest link!

18. Partnerships for the Future 18 Sheri Coven Director of Intergovernmental Affairs sheri.coven@flregionalcouncils.org 850.294.0526 VISIT: www.flregionalcouncils.orgwww.flregionalcouncils.org Florida Regional Councils Association: Questions?