Lunenburg and Gilman community members are encouraged to participate in the second phase of the Lunenburg-Gilman: One Community Working Together process by sharing their ideas for the future, and joining the meeting on November 19 to discuss and vote for actions the community can take for the future of their town.
Community Visit Co-Chair and Gilman resident Jessica Simonds notes, “I encourage other community members to join this process, as now is the time to have a say. Both Gilman and Lunenburg have really great things happening, and we’d love to have your involvement! Many hands can make light work.”
The second meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 19 from 6:00 to 8:30pm at the Lunenburg School. Participants will review the ideas for the future generated by community members, advocate for what is most important, and take part in a dot-voting exercise to choose priorities for action. All members of the Lunenburg and Gilman community are encouraged to join and be an active participant in helping to decide the most important priorities for the future. Free pizza, drinks and dessert will be served. Childcare will be provided, and transportation and other accommodations or assistance are available by request to the contact below before November 10.
This event is the second step of a three-step Community Visit which brings together community members to examine issues, decide top priorities, and develop action plans for the future of their town. Step one collected input on the opportunities and challenges facing Lunenburg and Gilman from over 70 community members through forums, paper and online surveys, and a youth forum. A Visiting Team of representatives from state, federal, and local organizations joined to listen in and be a resource to the community as they take action.
VCRD Community Visit Program Manager Alyssa Johnson says, “We were excited by the many community members who joined us in October to share their ideas for the future of Lunenburg and Gilman. We hope that all community members will join us in the vital voting stage to narrow the ideas down to the top priorities for Lunenburg and Gilman. All are welcome, including those who were unable to attend the earlier forums.”
There’s still time to share ideas for the future of the Lunenburg and Gilman community before the meeting. Community members can share ideas until November 14 at bit.ly/LunenburgGilman or on paper at the Alden Balch Memorial Library, Gilman Senior Center, and Town Office.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) was invited by the Lunenburg Selectboard, and provides the overall structure and neutral facilitation throughout the Lunenburg-Gilman: One Community Working Together process. VCRD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the advancement of Vermont communities and has brought together over 90 Vermont communities in facilitated and structured processes to share ideas and move towards common solutions.
Lunenburg Resident and Community Visit Co-Chair Tracy Davidson says, “It is very important that we take care of our towns for the sake of our children and grandchildren for years to come. Has there ever been something in the back of your mind that you wished was different? Come and speak up at the next meeting on November 19 because the Vermont Council on Rural Development is here to help us achieve our goals, and this is one way that we can take care of our community.”
The third meeting in the process will take place on December 17. Lunenburg-Gilman: One Community Working Together is funded with support from USDA Rural Development, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the Vermont Community Foundation, the National Life Foundation, and VCRD supporters and donors.
For more information or assistance engaging in the process, visit bit.ly/LunenburgGilman or contact Alyssa Johnson at (802) 222-6896 or [email protected].