This is part of a course that will take place over four Saturdays (10/3, 10/17, 11/7 and 11/14) at locations around Southern VT. Details, course content, and application form can be found at https://www.sovermontzone.com/get-on-board. Need a scholarship or help finding a sponsor? Let us know as part of the application.
For participants new to community service in a Vermont context, or who are taking the class to find their direction in community service, we recommend taking the full 4 course series. For those who have a specific interest or project in mind, it might make sense to drop in for a single workshop. Please indicate your interest in the form. While we give admission priority to those who are joining the full cohort, there is almost always room for additional attendees each time!
- Sat, 10/3, 10am – 3pm: Working Together as a Community (Townshend, Town Hall)
- Sat, 10/17, 10am-3pm: Local Government in Vermont (Manchester, Town Offices)
- Sat, 11/7, 10am-3 pm: Non Profit Boards/Local Leaders Panel (Wilmington, Memorial Hall)
- Sat, 11/14, 10am-3pm: Taking Action and Deepening Your Impact (TBD)
In the first session, we’ll explore what communities need to function effectively, then explore how this works in a Vermont context. Starting with an introduction to Community Development with professor Matthew Hoffman, learn how local community development differs from national community development, and discuss the concepts of cooperation and social capital. After lunch, VT Council on Rural Development will give a presentation on what this looks like in action in VT, where community-led projects are an important part of building community in many Vermont towns. Learn best practices, see case studies, and do a ‘local project’ workshop with peers.
