The 2026 Youth Council Legislative Action Days program will take place in Tallahassee from January 27-28, 2026. The cost for this event is $50.00 per person. Students must be members of an established municipal youth council in order to participate in this program.
The deadline to register is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Youth council registration cancellation must be done in writing via email to ealcorn@flcities.com. All cancellations received in the FLC office by 5:00 p.m. January 14, 2026, will receive refunds. Refunds will be issued after the event.
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Youth Council Program
Day 1: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm; Day 2: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
The 2026 program invites youth councils to participate in an interactive workshop, designed to support young people’s contributions to social change throughout the state of Florida. Attendees will participate in activities that encourage ingenuity, identify core leadership values, and build confidence in their own skills. They will also leverage their lived experiences and commitments to community citizenship in order to identify and address areas for growth in their respective communities.
During the program, attendees will develop messaging and talking points to support community change efforts relevant to them. Youth council members will be challenged to present their ideas and plans creatively, to strengthen their presentation and public speaking skills. Attendees can also expect opportunities to connect and build relationships with other members of youth councils because they are stronger together.
Facilitator: Mónica García Vega, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, strives to ground the personal and professional in radical love and empathy. She is currently based in Tallahassee, FL, and serves as the Manager of Prevention and Training at the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. Mónica promotes sexual violence prevention initiatives across Florida and the country that center intersectional frameworks and make space for young people as the historic changemakers they are. Additionally, Mónica serves on the board of directors of Tallahassee Southern Model United Nations, a non-profit that advocates for an internationalized education for youth and young adults. She’s also collaborated with Point Source Youth (PSY) as a National Youth Leader in the National Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Initiative's Positive Action for Youth Cohort, where she contributed to PSY’s work to end youth homelessness. Mónica graduated from Florida State University in 2021 with a B.S. in International Affairs. She has interned with Asociación CREAR, the International Rescue Committee, and the Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Youth Council Coordinator Program
Day 1: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm; Day 2: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly commonplace in our day-to-day lives, and early research indicates that younger generations are using digital and AI tools to express themselves, solve problems, and even seek support and advice. This two-day session will help sponsors understand key behavioral trends shaping Generations Z and Alpha, explore emerging AI tools and how young people are using them, and learn how to build greater trust with Youth Council members through authentic relationships and leadership development. Through hands-on activities and discussion, this session will develop attendees’ practical fluency around AI: what it is, how it works, where it adds value, and when our own (human) judgment, ethics, creativity, and connection should remain the primary driver of idea generation and decision-making within our Youth Councils.
Facilitators:
Michelle Bono is the President/CEO of Bono Communications & Marketing, LLC. The company provides strategic planning, training, public relations, crisis communication, resident engagement, and marketing services to clients in local and state government, private businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. Michelle served in local government for nearly 30 years, leading with a true passion for engaging residents in their community. As a core member of the City of Tallahassee’s Executive Team for nearly two decades, Michelle helped the team win local, state, and national awards for its innovative work.
Jessie Betts-Bono serves as Vice President of Bono Communications & Marketing, LLC, and has been with the woman-owned company for over a decade. With a background spanning healthcare to business, Jessie began her professional career as a certified surgical technologist, gaining invaluable experience in critical thinking, employee training, effective communication, and patient advocacy. After several years in healthcare, she transitioned to marketing and communications, earning a business degree with a focus on organizational administration.
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By signing up for this event, attendees acknowledge and agree that photographs and/or videos may be taken during the event for promotional and documentation purposes. These images may be used by the event organizers for marketing materials, social media posts, and other promotional activities without compensation. If you have any questions or concerns, please email ealcorn@flcities.com.