“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
— Henry Ford

Local Connectivity (Saturday AM)

Facilitator/Scribe: Elizabeth Catlin and Dan Normandeau

Participants:

Dan Normandeau Fred Lee
Lew Sorenson Dan Munson
Peter Wrenn Len Oppenheim
Ruth Barton  


Mission/Goals

Bridging the East/West divide
Outreach within community
Information about services
Fostering community identity
Connecting with international groups


Opportunities/Problems

Shifting identity with second home ownership, rise in income level, movement away
from agriculture
Outreach to all citizens (voters, non-residents, taxpayers)
Views to everyone (and Town Report)
Multi-cultural events
School/education on international trade, etc.
Join with Putney to celebrate seasonal workers
How to contact/learn about existing community groups?
Lack of a central location/draw that defines “Dummerston” (in the Center)
Schism between “haves” and “have nots”: political views, levels of education
Locals versus “choosers”
“virtual” center to connect part-timers
recognition of east/west divide is first step


Projects/Solutions

Full use of a strong website
Digitize Views and Town Report
Welcoming committee/packet
Notice of website in tax bill
Volunteer opportunities for all (based on time here)
Featureing community members so we get to know one another
Dummerston webmaster/development
Handbook (5-year shelf life) needs to updated and available digitally
Volunteer and donations corner on website
Community gathering (annual Y2C)
Physical place to come together
Second home owner town meeting
Future of Grange
Future of Church
Monthly social event with different focus each time and different locations
Commitment from part-times and newcomers
Inclusive community with involvement for all
List of volunteer options
Three Project Possibilites

1) Inclusive dissemination of community info through virtual and traditional means (includes school)… welcome packet/committee, digitized Views and Town Report, town web master, strong web site, using mailings to disseminate website infor, keep handbook current, list of volunteer opps, inclusive mailing list

2) Insuring viability of community gathering spaces for the future: Community Center, Grange Hall

3) Developing our “pot-bellied stove” place