September 2025 Newsletter

Upcoming Legislative Delegation Meetings

From now until the start of the legislative session, county legislative delegations will be holding meetings to hear from their constituents. This is your chance to tell legislators what issues matter most and what priorities they should focus on. Whether you want to meet with your legislator in-district or attend one of the upcoming delegation meetings, we can provide training and talking points to help you speak out effectively.

All times Eastern Time unless otherwise noted

Sept 15 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm:  Collier CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 19 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm:  Putnam CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 23 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CST: Santa RosaLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 24 – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm:  Pinellas CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 29 – 5:00 pm – 1:00 pm:  Broward CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 30 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CST:  Holmes County Legislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 30 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm:  Palm Beach CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 30 – 11:30 am – 12:00 pm CST:   Washington CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 30 – 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm:  Clay CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 30 – 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm:  Brevard CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Sept 30 – 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm CST:  Jackson County Legislative Delegation Meeting

October

Oct 01 – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Marion CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
Oct 01 – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Nassau CountyLegislative Delegation Meeting
For additional information on any of these meetings, click the link below.

For additional information on any of these meetings, click the link below.

Energy Innovator Awards Growing fresh food in food deserts. Leading workshops to lobby legislators. Inspiring activism through art and faith. There are countless ways Energy Innovators can spread positive change to their communities. If you know someone who is doing this work, please consider nominating them for one of our Energy Innovator Awards, which will be presented at the 15th Anniversary Energy Ball on November 6th. If you nominate someone, you will have your name put into a drawing for a free Energy Ball Ticket. In addition, you will win free Energy Ball ticket if your nominee is selected as a finalist. Nominees can be from across the state of Florida. Finalists receive two tickets to the Energy Ball, but do not need to be present to win. Click the button below to nominate an Energy Innovator: Nominate

Co-Executive Director Speaking at Florida Resilience ConferenceCo-Executive Director Kim Ross will be speaking at Florida Resilience Conference, being held in Charlotte Harbor, September 17-19, 2025. The conference will feature:  – In-depth discussion by elected officials, state and federal government agencies, and industry experts on the most up-to-date resilience initiatives – Panel discussions to share knowledge and lessons learned about the effects of climate change on Florida’s communities and businesses – Networking among 600 attendees with similar interests Kim will be speaking on September 19th at 9:45 am on the Energy Track.  During this session she will be sharing information on our newly created Florida Energy Efficiency Program Database.  Use the link below for more information, or to register.

Energy Ball Planning Meeting Next WeekThe Energy Ball Planning Team will be meeting every other Thursday, with the next meeting on Thursday, September 18th at 5 pm EDT. Help us plan, get a free ticket to the ball, and, if you need them, earn service hours.  And, you get the added benefit of helping an organization doing great work in Florida! We will have teams for: – Sponsors and Donors (including in-kind/ silent auction) – Publicity – Food  The Energy Ball will be in Tallahassee on November 6, but you do not need to be present or in Tallahassee to help. Join us by registering using the link below. Register

RFF Training – Policy Deep Dive: Issues, Landscape & Legislation.Please join us on September 19 at 10 am EDT for Reclaiming Florida’s Future Year-Round training – Policy Deep Dive: Issues, Landscape & Legislation. We’ll be discussing Florida’s energy & environmental policy landscape, the Florida Public Service Commission, and preparing for heading into the 2026 legislative session. Click below to sign up! Register

Dr. Bruce Strouble Featured During NYC Climate WeekClimate Week NYC events will include a special Book Talk & Community Conversation with ReThink Board Chair Dr. Bruce W. Strouble Jr., author of By Any Dreams Necessary: Anti-Racist Strategies for Sustainability, Resilience, and Environmental Justice. Join Dr Strouble, at an evening of dialogue on connecting the themes of By Any Dreams Necessary—environmental justice, racial equity, and resilience—with the urgent need for solidarity across our movements. Dr. Strouble will be sharing a reading from his book and open up for a lively discussion. Light refreshments will be served.  Date & Time: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM EDT Location: Sisters Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center, 1942 Amsterdam Ave @ W156th St., Harlem, NY This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited—please register to reserve your spot if you’ll be in New York for Climate Week. RSVP

Kim Ross Will be Panelist for Environmental Justice Encuentro Moving Forward Network presents: EJ Leaders Encuentro on September 25th at 6 PM during this year’s NYC Climate Week at El Puente’s Williamsburg Community Center at 211 South 4th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211. This lively conversation of environmental justice trailblazers from frontline and fence-line communities will shine light on locally grown climate justice solutions and the strength of coalition and movement building. They will share about their community’s efforts to fight for clean air in the backdrop of the freight transportation system.  If you would like to attend, you can RSVP using the link below.  RSVP

Join ReThink for Green DrinksReThink Energy Florida has been educating and fighting for renewable energy policy and climate justice for 15 years now. Join us at Sustainable Tallahassee’s Green Drinks at 6:00 pm on September 29 to learn what we’ve accomplished over those 15 years and how you can get involved in the next 15!  When:  9/29/25 – Social will start at 6:00 pm, with our presentation at 6:30 Where: Fool’s Fire/Fermentation Lounge, 416 All Saints St Unit 112, Tallahassee, FL 32301  There will be nonalcoholic beer options and all ages are welcome.

Get to Know Rethink: Meet & GreetSue Hansen, a long-time friend of ReThink, will host a neighborhood Meet & Greet in her home at 1248 Mosswood Chase, Tallahassee, FL on October 8 at 5:30 pm. Come enjoy light snacks and great conversation while you get to know ReThink staff and board members and learn about the work that we do. Use the link below to RSVP Please note that because parking in the neighborhood is limited, you may wish to consider carpooling

Florida Climate WeekReThink Energy Florida will be participating in Florida Climate Week this year, which will be happening October 6th through 12th. We will have more information about our session coming soon.Now in its fifth year, Florida Climate Week is a powerful celebration of engagement, education, and collective action focused on the climate and resilience challenges facing our state. Use the link below to visit the Florida Climate Week website to sign up for event information and updates. Florida Climate Week

Teacher Training: Solar Car Training Workshop  Coming Soon! October 13th we will be having a Solar Car Training Workshop at Buck Lake Elementary from 9am to 2pm. This training is meant for all community leaders, teachers, and families who would like to learn how to assemble a solar vehicle. This instruction can be used to lead youth to compete at our annual JSS Solar sprint at Energy Whiz this spring!  Join Rethink for a day of fun and refreshments but please bring a bag lunch.  Use the link below to register:   Register   Teachers may also sign up in LEADS for course credit. The course description is here:  Solar Car Building for Teachers & Coaches, Course #27374, Section # 35642.

Upper Limit Project Update

As climate change accelerates, sea level rise stands out as a pressing, tangible threat to billions globally. We are seeking partners to reshape this narrative by setting a clear upper limit to the rate of sea level rise that would work alongside the 1.5°C goal as a powerful, actionable metric, providing a second approach to combating climate change and driving global urgency and action. 

The Upper Limit team will be holding a retreat this month to more clearly define the short- and long-term goals of this project – so stay tuned for more news in the near future.

Energy Ball Tickets Now on SaleThe 2025 Energy Ball is coming up on Nov. 6 from 6 – 9:00 p.m. at the beautiful Goodwood Museum and Gardens!  This year’s Energy Ball will feature the band REVIVAL, plus the food, fun, games and silent auction that are always a part of this event. Don’t miss this elegant evening of celebration. Secure your tickets now, using the link below. Tickets

Want to Volunteer at ReThink?
Meet Our Volunteer Coordinator!

Quaterria Smith

If you volunteer with ReThink Energy Florida, whether it is for ongoing work with one of our teams or a single shift at an event, you will probably be talking to Quaterria Smith. Quaterria joined our staff as Volunteer Coordinator in June and has been on the go ever since, working to match our friends who want to volunteer with the many volunteer opportunities available.

Quaterria, the youngest of five siblings, is a driven and ambitious student currently enrolled at Tallahassee State College. With a passion for entrepreneurship and a strong desire to understand the ins and outs of running a successful business, she is dedicated to gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to one day launch her own venture.