Joe Saunders Application PackageSaunders Joe
Last Name First Name Middle Initial
1615 Meridian Ave MIAMI BEACH
Home Address City
FL 33139
State Zip Code
HomeWork
joesaunders4fl@gmail.com
Email Address
407-497-4986
Cellular
MIAMI BEACH
Business Address
429 Lenox Ave
City
FL
State
33139
Zip Code
Equality Florida
Occupation:Business Name:
Equality Florida
Please list your preferences in order of ranking [1] first choice [2] second choice, and [3] third choice. Please note
that only three (3) choices will be observed by the City Clerk’s Office. (Regular Boards of City)
Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:
Convention Center Advisory Board
LGBTQ Advisory Committee
Art in Public Places Committee
BOARD AND COMMITTEE
APPLICATION FORM
Note:If applying for the At-Large position of the Historic Preservation Board, please answer the below
questions:
Have you ever resided in one of the City's Historic Districts for at least one year?No
No Address in City Historic District submitted.
Professional License
No Professional Licenses Submitted.
Note:If you are seeking appointment to a professional seat (e.g. attorney, architect, etc.), you must attach a copy of
your currently effective corresponding professional license.
Pursuant to City Code section 2-22(4) a, b and c: Members of Agencies, Boards, and Committees shall be
affiliated with the city. This requirement shall be fulfilled in the following ways:
YesResident of the City for a minimum of six (6) months:
Demonstrate an ownership interest in a business established in the City for a minimum of six (6) months:No
AFFILIATION WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
a.
● I am resident of:South Beach
Or
b.
"Ownership Interest" shall mean the ownership of ten percent (10%) or more (including the ownership of 10%
or more of the outstanding capital stock) in a business.
"Business" shall mean any sole proprietorship, sponsorship, corporation, limited liability company, or other
entity or business association.
c.Full-time employee of such a business (for a minimum of six months); and I am based in an office or
other location of the business that is physically located in Miami Beach (for a minimum of six months):Yes
Notwithstanding the requirements set forth herein, the qualified full-time employee of a business must be
approved by a 4/7th vote of the Mayor and City Commission.
NOTE: Members of Agencies, Boards, and Committees shall be required to demonstrate compliance with the City
affiliation requirements of section 2-22 (4) a and b of the Miami Beach City Code by executing an affidavit,
stipulating that they have met either (or both) of said affiliation requirements. The original affidavit shall be filled
with the Office of the City Clerk prior to being sworn in as a member.
Or
No● Have you ever been convicted of a felony:If yes, please explain in detail:
● Do you currently have a violation(s) of City of Miami Beach codes:No If yes, please explain in detail:
● Do you currently owe the City of Miami Beach any money:No If yes, please explain in detail:
● Are you currently serving on any City Boards or Committees:No If yes, which board?
● Are you presently a registered lobbyist with the City of Miami Beach?No
● I am applying for an appointment because I have special abilities, knowledge and experience. Please list below:
As an LGBTQ leader and former state lawmaker, I have advanced skills in policy, governance, and strategies that
create open and inclusive communities. I hold a Master's degree in Public Administration and a Master's in Non
Profit Management and have spent year studying the tactics that I believe can
NOTE: IF APPOINTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW CERTAIN LAWS THAT APPLY TO CITY
BOARD/COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THESE LAWS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
o Prohibition from directly or indirectly lobbying city personnel (Miami Beach City Code section 2-459).
o Prohibition from contracting with the city (Miami-Dade County Code section 2-11.1).
o Prohibition from lobbying before board/committee you have served on for period of one year after leaving office
(Miami Beach Code section 2-26)
o Requirement to disclose certain financial interests and gifts (Miami-Dade County Code section 2-11.1).
o Sunshine Law - Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law was enacted in 1967. Today, the Sunshine Law
regarding open government can be found in Chapter 286 of the Florida Statutes. These statutes establish a basic
right of access to most meetings of Boards, Commissions, and other governing bodies of state and local
governmental agencies or authorities.
o Voting conflict - Form 8B is for use by any person serving at the county, city, or other local level of government on
an appointed or elected Board, Council, Commission, Authority, or Committee. It applies equality to members of
advisory and non-advisory bodies who are presented with a voting conflict of interest under Section 112.3143.
Florida Statutes.
● In what organization(s) in the City of Miami Beach do you currently hold membership in?
Name Position
Miami Beach Democratic Club Member
● List the address of all properties owned or in which you have an interest within the City of Miami Beach:
No Owned Property Information submitted.
If so, which department and title?No● Are you now employed by the City of Miami Beach:
● Pursuant to City Code Section 2-25 (b):
Do you have a parent, spouse, child, brother, or sister who is employed by the City of Miami Beach?No
If "Yes", identify person(s) and department(s):
No relative's information submitted.
BOARD & COMMITTEE FINANCIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
Acknowledgement of fines/suspension for Board/Committee Members for failure to comply with
Miami-Dade County Financial Disclosure Code Section 2-11.1(i)(2)
I understand that no later than July 1, of each year all members of Boards and Committees of the City of Miami
Beach, including those of a purely advisory nature, are required to comply with Miami-Dade County Financial
Disclosure Requirements.
One of the following forms must be filled with the City Clerk of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,
Miami Beach, Florida, no later than 12:00 noon of July 1, of each year:
1. A "Source of Income Statement;" or
2. A "Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1)¹ ;" or
3. A Copy of your latest Federal Income Tax Return.
Failure to file one of these forms, pursuant to the Miami-Dade County Code, may subject the person to a fine of no
more than $500, 60 days in jail, or both.
_____________________________
¹ Members of the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment will be notified directly by the State of Florida, pursuant
to F.S. §112.3145(1)(a), to file a Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1) with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of
Elections by 12:00 noon, July 1. Planning Board and Board of Adjustment members who file their Form 1 with the
County Supervisor of Elections automatically satisfy the County’s financial disclosure requirement as a Miami Beach
City Board/Committee member and need not file an additional form with the Office of the City Clerk. However,
compliance with the County disclosure requirement does not satisfy the State requirement.
DIVERSITY STATISTICS REPORT
The following information is voluntary and has no bearing on your consideration for appointment. It is being asked to
comply with City diversity reporting requirements.
WhiteRace/Ethnic Categories
What is your race?
No details providedOther Description:
Gender:Male
Are you Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino? Mark the "No" box if not Spanish / Hispanic / Latino.No
Physically Challenged:No
I HEREBY ATTEST TO THE ACCURACY AND TRUTHFULNESS OF THE APPLICATION; AND I HAVE
RECEIVED, READ AND WILL ABIDE BY CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VII, OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE,
ENTITLED “STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR CITY OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENCY MEMBERS AND
ALL OTHER APPLICABLE COUNTY AND/OR STATE LAWS AND STATUTES ACCORDINGLY.”
I Joe Saunders agreed to the following terms on 3/28/2021 10:20:59 PM
Received in the City Clerk's Office by:
Name of Deputy Clerk Control No. Date
Board and Committee Application Checklist: Please ensure you have provided all information before applying or
reapplying to any Board and Committee.
YES
YES
YES
YES
I have answered all questions fully.
I have uploaded a current resume, photograph, and a copy of any applicable professional license.
I have completed and attached the Board & Committee Financial Acknowledgment Statement.
I have completed and attached the Diversity Statistics Report.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk via email: BC@miamibeachfl.gov or
telephone: 305.673.7411
Note: Florida Statutes 119.071: The role of the Office of the City Clerk is to receive and maintain forms filed as
public records. If your home address, telephone numbers, and/or photograph are exempt from disclosure and you
do not wish your home address, telephone numbers, and/or photograph to be made public, please:
1) Use your office or other address for your mailing address;
2) Use your office or other telephone number for your contact number; and
3) Do not attach a photograph.
Joe Saunders
1615 Meridian Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 407-497-4986 E-Mail: joesaunders4FL@gmail.com
Former State Lawmaker, Nonprofit Executive, Experienced LGBTQ State Leader
Work Experience
Senior Political Director, Equality Florida August 2017 – Present
Manages advocacy and political programs for Florida’s LGBTQ civil rights organization. Leads all state
legislative and electoral programs and serves as senior spokesperson in print, radio and television. Manages a
grant portfolio of $2 million annually, raises $1.5 million for election program funding, and manages a staff of 16.
Regularly engaged in major donor solicitation and stewardship.
Southern Director, Human Rights Campaign Dec 2014 – April 2017
Lead advocacy programs for the country’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization in a 14-state region including
the Southern and Mid-Western US. Managed operations and campaigns in 14 state legislatures also serving as
strategist and spokesperson.
State Representative, Florida House of Representatives Nov 2012 – Nov 2014
Elected in 2012 as one of the first LGBTQ legislators in the Florida capitol. Policy focuses included arts and
culture, tourism, civil rights and liberties, higher education, and early childhood education. While a sitting
member of the legislature, founded and chaired the UCF Legislative Caucus and served as lead sponsor of the
“Arts for All Students Act”.
Director of Corporate and Civic Engagement, Equality Florida Institute Jan. 2011 – Nov. 2014
Led development of “Equality Means Business” program, an effort to promote Florida as an open and inclusive
state for LGBTQ workers and visitors. In partnership with leaders in tourism, finance, professional sports, and
chambers of commerce, managed a network of Fortune 500 employers and corporate partners focused on
diversity and inclusion.
Current Board Service
Board Member, Florida Cultural Alliance 2018 - Present
The Florida Cultural Alliance is Florida’s state-level arts advocacy organization. It works in partnerships to
promote and strengthen the voice of the arts and cultural sector and to advance funding and policies that
support arts, arts education, and culture.
Previous Board and Community Service
Founder and Chair, UCF Legislative Caucus 2013 – 2014
Deputy Whip, Florida House Democratic Caucus 2012 - 2014
Ranking Member, Florida House Higher Education Subcommittee 2013 - 2014
Board Member, Osceola Arts 2009 – 2012
2
Chair, Osceola Arts for a Complete Education Coalition (ACE) 2010 –2012
Education
University of Central Florida
Master of Public Administration Jan 2017 – Dec 2020
Honors: magna cum laude (GPA: 3.82/4.0)
(Expected graduation date: December, 2020)
Master of Nonprofit Management Jan 2017 – Dec 2020
Honors: magna cum laude (GPA: 3.82/4.0)
(Expected graduation date: December, 2020)
Awards and Recognitions
Arts and Culture
2013, Leadership Award, Florida Alliance for Arts Education
2014, Leadership Award, Florida Alliance for Arts Education
Education
2014 Leadership Award, Florida Parent Teachers Association
2014 “Friend of Early Learning” Award, Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions
LGBTQ
2016 Out 100: Survivors and Hero’s of Pulse Award, Out Magazine
2016, Human Rights Campaign Leadership Award