The Council on the Future of Vermont wants to hear from Vermonters about values, challenges, opportunities, priorities and visions for the future. The mission of the project is to answer: "What do these challenges and opportunities mean to Vermonters, and what do they believe we will need to do to meet the future with confidence?"

How does it work?

There are many ways that the CFV is trying to learn from Vermonters. First, Conversations on the Future of Vermont has been created - a traveling dialogue in which listening teams go to different regions of the state and sit down with small groups of Vermonters to hear what issues they think will impact the next generation, as well as more immediate, local concerns. In each town, a public, community-wide forum will be held. CFV members and partners will serve as listeners and facilitators for these conversations, and will preserve the discussion through transcribed notes available on this website.

The CFV also actively searches out ways to listen to those individuals often not heard in public dialogues: immigrants, youth, seniors, working parents, and others. In addition, the CFV will solicit input from state-level organizations; teachers, medical workers, environmentalists, emergency service providers – all of whom may understand Vermont’s future from a different perspective and add a new piece to the conversations.

Third, CFV will utilize this website to capture your thoughts on Vermont's future, as well as work with the University of Vermont's Center for Rural Studies to host a confidential survey and phone poll.

It is the belief of VCRD and CFV that the collective understanding of Vermonters will provide a comprehensive picture of what our state will look like in another generation. It is a difficult question, and one that is best answered by many members of our state, each of whom contribute a unique perspective. Every Vermonter is a stakeholder in these conversations.

What is the result?  

CFV will issue a public report on its Findings for the Future of Vermont in 2009. The findings will include; a description of Vermont values in our time, an analysis of current conditions and trends in Vermont, and an educational process that will inform the context of decision makers at different levels across the state. CFV will also work to create products that reach different audiences; using audio, video and other multi-media formats and presentations. The goal is to reflect what we’ve heard from Vermonters in this final report.

How do I contribute?

First, go to our 'Discuss' page at the top of this website. This will give you the opportunity to submit your comments on 5 broad questions; what you consider to be Vermont's greatest challenges, our biggest opportunities, and the priorities we should take to focus on these. When you submit your thoughts, they will be added to CFV's compilations of comments. You can also select 'What do OTHER Vermonters think?' to read comments from Vermonters all around the state. 'Click here to take a SURVEY' takes you to a secure and confidential survey.

Second, go to our 'Events' page to find our calendar that displays when the public forums will be hosted near you. Join us at these public forums to listen to your neighbors and share in the conversation.

For more information on the Council on the Future of Vermont’s structure and tasks:

CFV Summary Statement

CFV Members

The Council on the Future of Vermont is a project of the Vermont Council on Rural Development. A proud member of the National Rural Development Partnership, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the locally-defined progress of Vermont's rural communities.