Summits

Summits In line with VCRD’s statutory role in policy coordination, VCRD Rural Summits were begun in 1996 to convene state and federal leaders and encourage their cooperative goal-setting and mutual investment in response to key rural priorities in Vermont. Here's the list of Summits and Roundtables (with links to reports if available):

• Summit on the Future of Vermont's Working Landscape - 2010
• Northeast Regional Rural Summit - 2010
• Summit on the Future of Vermont - 2009
• Advancing Creativity and Innovation in Rural America - 2008
• Advancing Vermont’s Creative Economy – 2007
• Local Power: Energy and Economic Development – 2006
• Bridging the Divide: Conflict and Paths to Community Success – 2005
• The Structure of Planning – 2004
• Strengthening Rural Communities – 2003
• Rural Economic Development – 2002
• Housing Work Plan Development – 2001
• Water/Wastewater Infrastructure, Youth Issues, Downtown Development – 1999
• Collaborative Work Planning – 1998
• Rural Development Resources – 1997
• Housing, Community and Economic Development Programs – 1996

Each Summit culminated in a white paper report including agreed upon action steps and recommendations for further action.

History of VCRD's Summits

From 1996 to 2003, VCRD Rural Summits were private retreats for state and federal officiates to elaborate common ‘action steps’ that would unite their efforts around topics as diverse as Youth Services, Water and Sewer Infrastructure, and Housing. These early Summits were designed as internal decision-making sessions around practical implementation of common goals.

After 2003, VCRD broadened the invitation to Summits and emphasized their role as “Roundtables”—meetings of equals from across governmental levels, non-profits, the private sector and communities—where facilitated sessions would develop key ideas for responding to issues, build recommendations for action, and serve as a policy review of an area that VCRD defined as of critical importance to the community and economic development of towns, regions, or sectors in the state. In some cases, like “Local Power” and the analysis of the Planning Structure in Vermont, summits have served as key input sessions at the foundation of major policy development convenings by VCRD. In others, the Summit serves as the culmination of an effort (like the Creative Economy Summit) that brings together local leaders, shares best practices and models, and allows all participants to contribute and learn from each other. Results of these sessions are reported to the Governor, Legislature and key stakeholders and often serve as the foundations for next areas of VCRD initiative.