Plainfield Forward

Thanks to everyone who joined us in person or virtually for the Plainfield Forward Process! VCRD is working on the final report which will be published both in hard copy and digitally in December. 

What's next?

• Create a Housing Strategy met on November 20th and began to work on the action steps identified at the October 16th meeting (see the October 16th Housing Strategy Notes here).  The November 20th Meeting Minutes can be found here. 

  • Next steps: Anyone interested to join the Plainfield Housing Advisory Committee (PHAC) fill out the form here in as soon as possible: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeze56HKL62gI8GaGAo0DuiM_66gEiTF5dWXjFJMYIheLo_Rw/viewform

  • Selectboard will likely perform interviews soon and make committee appointments at the Dec. 8 selectboard meeting.

  • Next meeting: Agreement that the next gathering should be with the newly formed PHAC (public and those interested in joining working groups are encouraged to attend). 

• Create a Resilience Hub- If you are interested in learning more and being a part of this effort, please fill out the Resilience Hub Interest & Skills survey. Or you can contact Olivia Turner (olturner48@gmail.com) or Rae Carter (raecarterempowr@gmail.com) with questions or thoughts. More information on the next steps for this group can be found here. 

¿Preguntas? Envíe un correo electrónico a nick@vtrural.org.

Plainfield Forward is a 3-part process that brings community members together to  to engage everyone in town in brainstorming ideas and identifying important priorities for the future.  This three part process will identify actions and resources and begin efforts for the immediate and long-term future of Plainfield.

Background Information on Plainfield Forward:

In the wake of devastating floods in both 2023 and 2024, the Town of Plainfield invited VCRD to facilitate a process to bring together the full diversity of Plainfield residents, organizations, business owners and partners in an open, inclusive dialogue to build connections, and identify actions for recovery and future efforts. The three-part process, facilitated by VCRD, will identify actions and resources and launch task force groups to take on actions for the immediate and long-term future of the town and village. VCRD provides the overall structure and neutral facilitation each step of the way.

The Vermont Council on Rural Development is committed to the facilitation of community processes that are inclusive, equitable, and bring together as many voices as possible in every community we work. We strive to engage the voices, leadership, and decision-making of all community members in planning their town's future. We invite all community members, including those displaced from flooding, to participate with targeted outreach that includes a mailing to every resident, phone calls, flyers posted around town, local group listservs, social media channels, local TV and radio shows, and through written surveys for those that may be uncomfortable/unwilling/unable to attend community forums. Community members are invited to help broaden the reach by encouraging friends and neighbors to participate by sharing the event flyer, Facebook Event and by word of mouth!

Visit "Events" to learn more about the schedule, structure, and process of Plainfield Forward.