Florida Consumer Action Network

Consumer Empowerment: FCAN created a donor engagement program to increase involvement and commitment of existing donors and activists through cultivation and the creation of new organizational materials. FCAN built a "small but mighty" base of mid-level donors who are also engaged in consumer issues. We also increased visibility and educated the public about critical issues through digital outreach and a door-to-door canvass. Issues included getting the lead out of school drinking water and saving the bees from pesticides.

Community Organizing and Membership Development: Outreach to grassroots organizations; coalition meetings, town halls, and an annual membership meeting; leadership development, training, and research to support FCAN projects; maintenance of relationships with statewide media; contact with government bodies on FCAN issues. FCAN maintains ongoing communications with many allied organizations. Issue work includes solar power, expansion of the health insurance coverage, tax reforms, and transportation issues. Our Community Organizing includes membership development efforts which include canvassing, mail, and phone contacts with current and past members, as well as the public.

Civic Engagement Project - FCAN engaged the public, particularly lower-income and minority residents around critical consumer issues affecting the Tampa Bay region. We encourage civic participation including attending civic events such as attending meetings, rallies, forums, and voting. We use social media to build our email and member lists. We also use traditional media outreach including press conferences and letters to the editor. FCAN trains activists in community organizing and provides real experience. All work is non-partisan.

Auto Buying Consumer Education - FCAN used media and video to educate consumers for the car buying experience. We made insider tips available and explained concepts such as pricing the loan and how to accurately compare prices. A web page with a series of educational videos is available.

Complete Streets - Final wrap up on Complete Streets Project in St. Pete. FCAN did public education and organizing on transportation issues, especially Complete Streets. Complete Streets are streets designed for all road users, including people on foot, on bike or taking transit and can help address transportation and public health problems. We held "walk audits" with community members to illustrate problems and solutions in key areas, held bike rides to show examples of better conditions for cyclists, participated in numerous meeting and hearings on transportation, and set up a "parklet" as part of the city's Open Streets day, to show alternative uses for streets.