Let's Talk Vergennes:

RSVP to vergennesforum@gmail.com to join by phone or Zoom

· Set new norms for public conversations

· Meet new neighbors in small groups

· Discover shared values and priorities

· Identify next steps

Designed and led by Delia Clark and Susan Clark

(scroll down to learn more)

Vermont Community Foundation

Bixby Library

Boys and Girls Club of Vergennes

Vergennes Partnership

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Fr. Yvon Royer, St. Ambrose & St. Peter’s

Vergennes Opera House

Rokeby Museum

Delia Clark is the Principal at Confluence, where her work focuses on building sustainable communities through facilitating civic engagement, place-based learning, strategic planning, and community dialogue. She is a frequent trainer and facilitator in these areas throughout the United States and internationally, for organizations that include National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, Shelburne Farms, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and QLF/Atlantic Center for the Environment. Delia is the co-author of Questing: A Guide to Creating Community Treasure Hunts published by University Press of New England; Learning to Make Choices for the Future: Connecting Public Lands, Schools and Communities Through Place-based Learning and Civic Engagement; Building Skills for Effective Facilitation; and other manuals and chapters; which have collectively been translated into six languages. Learn more at http://www.deliaclarkconfluence.com

Susan Clark is a writer and educator focusing on community sustainability and engagement. She is coauthor of "Slow Democracy: Rediscovering Community, Bringing Decision Making Back Home" (with Woden Teachout) and "All Those In Favor," a book about Vermont town meetings (with Frank Bryan). Susan consults with communities across the northeast and leads trainings with local leaders and community groups on how to build inclusive, deliberative, empowered public participation. An award-winning radio commentator, Susan's democratic activism has earned her broad recognition, including the Vermont Secretary of State’s Enduring Democracy Award. She is Middlesex town moderator. Find more about Susan’s work at www.slowdemocracy.org

Here are some examples of norms that have worked for other communities:

1.Speak your truth, using your kindest words, even if your opinions differ from what you’re hearing.

2.Listen for understanding. If you wonder, ask.

3.Be concise. Try to edit and limit your comments so all will have a chance to speak. Share air time.

4.Focus on the issues, don’t personalize discussions.

5.Check to be sure that your ideas are recorded accurately. If not, feel free to offer a helpful correction.

6.Stay focused on the question at hand. If you want to bring up other issues, explain how they connect to the topic under discussion, or ask the facilitator to put them in the “bike rack” for later consideration.