What’s FutureJam?
The Vermont Creative Network is launching an action planning process this fall. Join us for FutureJam — a daylong visioning event to kick off the conversation. Choose a time slot and join a fast-paced “jam session” to describe and shape a vision for Vermont’s creative sector.
What’s Happening?
Each hour-long session will involve a mix of creative prompts, small-group zoom conversations, live polling, and quick report-backs. Join with video if you can, for the best experience. We’ll also offer options to weigh in online throughout the day and the fall.
How Do I Join?
Choose one time slot (all sessions are the same).
Closed captioning is available at 11:30; please see below if you need additional accommodations.
Sign up only if you plan to attend — we won’t circulate recordings of the conversations.
If you can’t join in person, watch for updates at vermontcreativenetwork.org or join the Vermont Creative Network Facebook group. We’ll send out surveys, prompts, and options to tune in online anytime.
The Local Support and Community Action Team of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Task Force will launch a series of virtual COVID-19 Recovery Visits to be held in each county across the state over the next several months.
Virtual forums will bring together community members and business and organizational leaders from across the region to discuss challenges and share ideas for community response and equitable economic recovery, and connect to others working to respond and recover. The forums will encourage and support local and regional efforts, share promising practices and models between counties, promote equitable access to financial, social and structural recovery, and aid communities in accessing the tools and resources to support their recovery work.
Participants will join a brief opening session and then breakout into their choice of discussion topics chosen by a steering committee from each region. Topics for discussion could include Telecommunications, Business Support and Recovery, Education and Childcare, Building Community Unity, Addressing Racial Inequities, Developing Buy Local Campaigns, Housing, Food Access, and more. Recovery Visiting Teams of federal, state, regional, non-profit, and business leaders and experts will attend each forum to share recovery strategies from across the state and ideas for resources and support.
Recovery Visit Forum Schedule:
- Franklin County – July 9th 6:30-8:30pm
- Orange County – July 21st 6:30-8:30pm
- Windham County – July 23rd 6:30-8:30pm
- Chittenden County – July 30th 6:30-8:30pm
- Caledonia County – August 6th 6:30-8:30pm
- Bennington County – August 13th 6:30-8:30pm
- Essex County – August 20th 6:30-8:30pm
- Rutland County – August 27th 6:30-8:30pm
- Orleans County – September 3rd 6:30-8:30pm
- Washington County – September 10th 6:30-8:30pm
- Addison County – September 17th 6:30-8:30pm
- Lamoille County – September 24th 6:30-8:30pm
- Grand Isle County – October 1st 6:30-8:30pm
- Windsor County – October 8th 6:30-8:30pm
The Recovery Visit Forums are being coordinated and facilitated by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), in partnership with local and regional partners. VCRD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the advancement of Vermont communities. In the past 20 years, VCRD has worked with over 75 communities throughout Vermont to bring residents together through their facilitated and structured process to share ideas and move toward common solutions.
Paul Costello, Executive Director of VCRD and Action Team Leader says, “We all have a part and a responsibility in answering the pandemic and working toward economic recovery, and we know that creative solutions are being developed by local leaders throughout the state. The county forums are a starting point to share best practices, consider further needs, connect to resources, and gather ideas from each region to ensure that we are moving forward together…together we are VT strong.
All are welcome and encouraged to join the forums. To learn more and to register in your county visit www.vtrural.org/recovery or contact info@vtrural.org or 802-223-6091 with questions or for registration assistance. Registration will become available within 2 weeks of the forum date in each county.