Dear OSSD Community,

As part of our continued efforts to implement the ideas that came from our November work session with the community, we are pleased to announce that the OSSD will provide an open forum for Hate Free Vermont, hosted by the Vermont Attorney General's Office and the Rutland Area NAACP. The event will take place on Monday, May 8th from 5:30-7:30 in the Randolph Union High School Cafeteria. This event is open to anyone who would like to attend from across Orange County. The official press release is included below.

Most Sincerely,
Layne Millington
OSSD Superintendent

STATE OF VERMONT
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
109 STATE STREET
MONTPELIER, VT 05609-1001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Lauren Jandl Chief of Staff
April 25, 2023
802-828-3171

U.S. ATTORNEY, VERMONT ATTORNEY GENERAL & RUTLAND AREA NAACP
TO CO-HOST HATE-FREE VERMONT FORUM IN RANDOLPH

MONTPELIER, VT. – The United States Attorney's Office, the Vermont Attorney General's Office, and the Rutland Area NAACP will be co-hosting a Hate-Free Vermont Forum in Randolph on May 8, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This forum will be the fourth held in an ongoing series; last month, a Hate-Free Vermont Forum was held in St. Albans. Last year, forums took place in Rutland and Bennington.

"The Forum aims to bring policymakers, stakeholders, and community members together for productive and difficult conversations that will work to reduce animus, discord, and misunderstandings," said Co-facilitator Etan Nasreddin-Longo. "Many community members have told us they do not feel comfortable reporting bias incidents to the police or feel that is not an effective option. What additional options for reporting and addressing harm and conflict already exist in your community, and what new or improved options would you like to see?"

Participants are welcome to share what they want their government officials to know about their experiences, and to ask questions of their government officials about bias and discrimination.

The Forum will be hosted in Randolph, and everyone from the Orange County community is invited to participate.

When: Monday, May 8, 2023, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: The Forum will be hosted in person and remotely.
• Physical location: Randolph Union Middle/High School – Cafeteria, 15 Forest St, Randolph, VT 05060
• Remote registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcu6spzgrE9Rv6uoULziRZosW5sjxbQR0#/registration
Who: All are welcome.

Registration is required for remote attendance.