In the wake of recent events, there has been a call for unity nationwide and the ability to have conversations even if you disagree. Here in Sarasota, the collective community has been having productive conversations for a while, but peaceful discussion is not sensational enough to cover in the news, and it does not generate clicks and likes.

In 2017, a diverse coalition of important groups, who normally disagree a lot, got together to collaborate on an initiative that was very hard to argue with. Starting as Decide the Date and morphing into Change the Date, this was an effort by the community to change the date of the City of Sarasota commissioner elections to improve voter turnout.

It was a remarkable collection of significant groups with leaders who embraced dialogue, and an important cause, that had a side benefit of saving the City of Sarasota almost six figures in the first election after it passed. The Argus Foundation was a very proud member of that group, which included partners like the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota ACLU, Gulf Coast Builder’s Exchange, NAACP, the Realtor’s Association, the Manasota Democratic Black Caucus, Sarasota Republican Party, The International Union of Police Associations, and Florida ACLU among many others. The groups, some of whom had never agreed on anything, were unified on this issue.

As we had meetings, we always looked around the table in awe that this diverse group could sit together and have a dialogue, and plan together, and talk about what we wanted for city elections. We jokingly needled each other about past issues we disagreed on, we broke bread together, and we strategized together. This process humanized these leaders to each other, and it made us yearn for more, what else could we do together?

All of us learned a lot from that incredible community driven petition effort that passed with flying colors. We were honored to be a part of that historic effort that increased not only voter turnout, but increased minority turnout in elections. In the first election after the change was implemented, black voter turnout doubled in that election and Hispanic turnout increased by 743% - that was not a typo.

We have disagreements in this county, but we also have a level of civility amongst many good faith entities, an understanding that although we may disagree, we want the best for this community. The Argus Foundation wants to take the time to thank the many organizations we have worked with through the years for many incredible efforts that make this community great. We will continue to engage in good faith with our various community groups to make our county and cities better and stronger.

Christine Robinson is the Executive Director of  The Argus Foundation.