Dear Members of the Vergennes Community,
On the invitation of the Vergennes City Council, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has selected the town of Vergennes for its Community Visit Program in the spring of 2014 over several other towns requesting services this year. VCRD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the advancement of Vermont communities. In the past 14 years, we have worked in over 60 communities across Vermont to bring residents together to share ideas around issues of concern and to move toward common solutions.
The program kicks off in Vergennes on Tuesday March 18th with a series of focus forum discussions and a free community dinner. Below are details on discussion topics, times and locations. We hope you will come join the conversation at any or all of the sessions that interest you and join us at the free community dinner.
2:15 - 3:45 pm Bixby Library Half Round Rm (2nd floor) 258 Main St Municipal and Non-Profit Resources
2:15 - 3:45 pm Bixby Library 258 Main St Tourism (Kerr Rm)
2:15 - 3:45 pm Vergennes Opera House 120 Main St Recreation & Entertainment
4:00 - 5:30 pm Bixby Library Half Round Rm (2nd floor) 258 Main St Role of Municipal Government
4:00 - 5:30 pm Bixby Library 258 Main St Basin & Riverside Development (Main Reading Room)
4:00 - 5:30 pm Vergennes Opera House 120 Main St Connecting Youth
5:45 - 6:45 pm FREE COMMUNITY DINNER AT ST. PETER'S CHURCH, 85 S Maple St FREE COMMUNITY DINNER AT ST. PETER'S CHURCH, 85 S Maple St
7:00 - 8:30 pm Bixby Library Half Round Rm (2nd floor) 258 Main St Transportation Infrastructure & Pedestrian Safety
7:00 - 8:30 pm Bixby Library 258 Main St The Future of Economic Development (Main Reading Room)
7:00 - 8:30 pm Vergennes Opera House 120 Main St Vergennes Community Center
This process is open to everyone and everyone is invited! The program is most successful when people are excited about and interested in the topics and the events, so we encourage you to spread the word widely. Here are some ways you can help to spread the word:
- share the event facebook page with your friends: https://www.facebook.com/events/216189705241732/
- post on Front Porch Forum to encourage neighbors to come
- forward this email on to your list serve of community volunteers or business people in town
- post on a local website
- print a handful of flyers and take them with you to your next club meeting or gathering or tack on bulletin boards
- post a blurb in your place of business or church/school newsletter
- word of mouth - let people know about the event and about the process!
A Community Visit is a chance for a town to come together to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and issues they have on the table and learn from the Visiting Resource Team about best practices and opportunities around the state. This first event gives all from Vergennes the opportunity to add their ideas and concerns to the table, and to meet with federal, state and non-profit experts from around Vermont. After March 18th, there will be two more VCRD community meetings to narrow down goals and priorities and set action plans to help advance them. VCRD will serve as a neutral facilitator throughout the process.
For more information about the Vergennes Community Visit feel free to contact me at 802-223-6091 or info@vtrural.org.
We are looking forward to seeing you on March 18th!
Margaret
Margaret Gibson McCoy, Office and Communications Manager
Vermont Council on Rural Development
PO Box 1384, Montpelier VT 05601-1384
802-223-6091 | info@vtrural.org
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