Vermont Communities at a Turning Point: VCDA Fall Conference

VCDA Fall Conference – for information about this event email [email protected]. 

As we look back at 2021 and ahead towards 2022, Vermont communities are at a turning point. Communities face major decisions and challenges as we address critical issues for the future and decide how to spend federal dollars coming into the state. Join the VCDA Board and community and economic development partners from across the state on December 9th on Zoom to:

• Join facilitated discussion forums focused on some of the most pressing issues of our time including: Building Welcoming Communities; Community-based Housing Solutions; Community Climate and Resilience Solutions; and Workforce Development and Career Training.
• Hear from an expert working on each topic to share reflections and context on the topic
• Engage in a discussion of opportunities, challenges, and needs in each arena.

Registration is free, donations to VCDA welcome! Contact us at [email protected] for information on membership.

Click here to learn more and view the full agenda.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Recover Stronger – From Crisis Comes Opportunity

Vermont Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray will share highlights from her statewide Recover Stronger Tour. Over the last five months, this tour brought together Vermonters from all 14 counties for community conversations on the future of Vermont including more than 29 communities and hundreds of Vermonters from more than 60 different organizations, businesses and nonprofits serving our communities. Learn more about her tour at https://ltgov.vermont.gov/recover-stronger

Vermont Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray is Vermont’s 82nd Lieutenant Governor. Molly was born and raised on a vegetable and dairy farm in Newbury, Vermont, still operated by her family today. Following her graduation from the University of Vermont, where she competed as a D1 cross-country skier, she moved to Washington to serve as a Congressional aide to Representative Peter Welch. She later attended Vermont Law School and served as a law clerk to Vermont’s judge to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the Honorable Peter W. Hall. Molly went on to support the U.S. Government and international partners in launching the International Code of Conduct Association, working to launch the Association’s human rights monitoring program and lead human rights monitoring missions in East Africa, Nigeria and Iraq. Most recently, she served Vermont as an Assistant Attorney General. Molly is the fourth woman in Vermont’s history to serve as Lieutenant Governor.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS & FACILITATORS

Facilitated Breakout Discussions #1

• Building Welcoming Communities (Presentation from Xusana Davis, Director of Racial Equity)
• Community-based Housing Solutions (Elise Shanbacker, Addison Community Trust)

Facilitated Breakout Discussions #2

• Community Climate and Resilience Solutions (Jon Copans, VCRD
• Workforce Development and Career Training (Alex Beck, BDCC)

Generously sponsored by the Vermont Community Loan Fund and the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD)