Vermont’s New Economy Week
October 13-19, 2014
The New Economy movement taking hold across the country is all about creating a people-driven approach to achieving prosperous communities, successful businesses, and healthy environments. Through diverse initiatives such as local investment structures, community food and energy networks, and alternative indicators of wellbeing, the New Economy is empowering us to generate a high quality of life at the local level.
This year, Vermont’s second annual New Economy Week will highlight the creative approaches that are emerging across the state to build a more local, equitable, value-driven economy. Planned as part of the New Economy Coalition’s national event, New Economy Week will be an opportunity to celebrate progress, learn about new opportunities, and envision solutions for what our economy and communities can be. We encourage all members of the Vermont community to take part!
Schedule of Events
The schedule for New Economy Week is still evolving, so check back regularly as more events and details are added! Click on the arrow next to each event to view more information.
Ongoing
The Happiness Walk
From October 12-27, The Happiness Walk will take Linda Wheatley and Paula Francis, both founders of Gross National Happiness USA, on a journey by foot from Washington, DC to Norfolk, VA. Along the way they will engage with the communities they pass through, collecting stories, discussing wellbeing, and talking about what is truly important in life.
Follow along! Throughout their travels, Paula and Linda will be tweeting about their observations, good conversations, and the remarkable stories they hear along the way. Join in the Pursuit of Happiness Walk adventure with the hashtages #GNHUSA and #PoHWalk, and make sure to follow their account @PoHWalk!
Monday, October 13
8:00am/1:00pm—Prosperity Peak Kickoff Celebration (Groton)
Vermonters for a New Economy is hosting a unique kickoff celebration this year. In the spirit of celebrating the New Economy underway here in Vermont, VNE will name a Vermont mountain for it. They have identified an unnamed mountain in Groton State Park and have filed a petition with the State Department of Libraries to name it Prosperity Peak.
The celebration will begin with a hike up Prosperity Peak at 8 in the morning, with a goal of finishing in time for lunch at the Lodge at 1pm. Pre-registration for lunch and the hike is required. Please register by Tuesday October 7th if you want lunch – that’s the cutoff for reservations.
Location: Seyon Lodge, Groton State Forest, Groton, VT
More information: Read more details about the launch celebration here
Registration: Visit the event page to register by October 7
Follow along! #ProsperityPeak
4:00pm-5:30pm—Joshua Farley: “Money and Finance for a Finite Planet” (Burlington)
Renowned ecological economist and speaker Dr. Joshua Farley will present a discussion and Q & A on economics for today’s world of finite resources. Dr. Farley is a fellow at UVM’s Gund Institute for Ecological Economics and also a fellow at the Post Carbon Institute.
Location: 127 Jeffords Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Follow along! #FarleyFinance
6:00pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (Bristol)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: Mt. Abraham High School, Bristol, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
Tuesday, October 14
1:00pm-3:00pm—Gross National Happiness Workshop featuring Ginny Sassaman and Tom Barefoot (Montpelier)
Gross National Happiness USA is hosting two speakers to discuss GNH as an indicator and a tool for increasing individual and community wellbeing. Ginny Sassaman, Happiness Advocate, co-founder of GNHUSA, and creator of the Happiness Paradigm, will present her talk, “From the streets of New York City to the Green Mountains of Vermont, Why the GNH Movement is Urgent.” Tom Barefoot, Co-coordinator of GNHUSA, will then present “Happiness for Policy and using the GNH Policy Tools.”
Location: Hayes Room, Kellogg Hubbard Library, Montpelier, Vermont
More information: contact Tom Barefoot, GNHUSA by emailing tom@gnhusa.org
Follow along! #GNHUSA
6:00pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (Essex Junction)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School, Essex Junction, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
6:00pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (Brattleboro)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: Marlboro Graduate Center, Room 2E, Brattleboro, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
6:30pm-8:00pm—Public Banking For Vermont (Woodstock)
How can a public bank strengthen our communities and economies? Come to ask questions and hear from public banking experts including Dr. Thomas Keidel, CEO of the German Public Banking Association and Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Executive Director of the Public Banking Institute.
Location: Mezzanine, Norman Williams Public Library on the Green, Woodstock, VT
Sponsors: Vermonters for a New Economy, Sustainable Woodstock
Follow along! #VTpublicbanks
6:00pm—New Economy Community Potluck and The Wisdom to Survive Screening (Barnard)
The film, Wisdom to Survive: Climate Change, Capitalism and Community, comes to the Barnard Town Hall on Tuesday, October 14. The 7 PM showing is preceded by a classic potluck feast at 6 PM. Filmmaker Anne Macksoud will help lead discussion after the film is shown. If you are planning to come and can bring a potluck item, contact Chloe Powell at clovermont@gmail.com. This event is free, though donations are welcome.
More about the film: The Wisdom to Survive: Climate Change, Capitalism & Community by local filmmaker Anne Macksoud accepts the consensus of scientists that climate change has already arrived, and asks—what is keeping us from action? In discussions with thought leaders and activists, the film explores how unlimited growth and greed are destroying the life support system of the planet, the social fabric of the society, and the lives of billions of people.
Location: Barnard Town Hall, Barnard, Vermont
More information: contact chris@balevt.org.
7:00pm-8:30pm—Solarize Launch (Randolph)
Solarize Upper Valley is a program of Vital Communities aimed at making residential and small business solar photovoltaic (PV) energy more accessible across our region. Randolph-Brookfield-Braintree has been chosen as one of their targets for Fall 2014, so come celebrate the possibilities of solar and its positive impacts on our economies and communities! You’ll have the chance to meet our partner installer, learn about solar, talk with other interested residents, and sign up for a free site visit.
Location: Randolph High School, Randolph, Vermont
More information: visit the Solarize Upper Valley page.
7:00pm—Pizza and Movie Night: Inside Job Screening (Burlington)
Come enjoy pizza while watching Inside Job, an award-winning documentary about the causes and consequences of the financial crash of 2008. The film was produced, written, and directed by Charles Ferguson and narrated by Matt Damon, and it won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2010. Eric Zencey, Research Associate Professor of Political Science and a Fellow of the Gund Institute of Ecological Economics, will provide additional perspective and lead a discussion following the film.
Location: 101 Fleming Museum, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
Wednesday, October 15
8:45am-12:30pm—Who Owns Vermont? A forum on new ownership designs featuring Marjorie Kelly (Montpelier)
Hosted by Clean Yield Asset Management and the Donella Meadows Institute, Who Owns Vermont? Emerging Ownership Designs in Vermont’s Economy will explore Vermont’s leadership in implementing what New Economy writer Marjorie Kelly has called the “ownership revolution.” Marjorie will keynote the half-day event and moderate a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs and thought leaders on emerging alternative ownership models in business, land, energy and finance. Confirmed panelists include Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Executive Director of the Public Banking Institute; Paul Millman, co-founder of Chroma Technology; and Kathy Ruhf, Executive Director of Land for Good.
RSVP: If you will attend this forum, please join the event page or RSVP to shelley@cleanyield.com
Location: Capitol Plaza Hotel, 100 State St, Montepelier, VT
Event Sponsors: Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont Land Trust, Real Pickles, Center for Agriculture & Food Systems at Vermont Law School, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, High Mowing Seeds, Gund Institute for Ecological Economics
Follow along! #WhoOwnsVermont
4:30pm-5:30pm—Film Screening and Discussion (Burlington)
Come for a screening of a thought-provoking sustainability film put on by Deane Wang and Allan Strong’s UVM class “Envisioning a Sustainable Future.”
Location: Aiken 103, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
5:30pm—Gary Murphy Memorial Roundtable Discussion (Montpelier)
Join a round table discussion in memory of Gary Murphy, an engaged advocate of the New Economy and member of his community who passed away this summer. The discussion will focus on some innovative ways to capitalize a public bank, ranging from home equity investors to cryptocurrencies.
Registration and more info: Space is limited – please contact Gwen Hallsmith if you are interested in attending.
6:30pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (Morrisville)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: People’s Academy Cafeteria, Morrisville, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
6:30pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (Bennington)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: St. Peters Church, Bennington, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
7:00pm—We the Owners Film Screening (Burlington)
Join us at Main Street Landing for a free screening of “We the Owners: Employees Expanding the American Dream,” the award-winning documentary that takes a look at the diverse and inspiring ways in which a number of companies have shared ownership and responsibility to achieve common goals of having meaning and purpose at work, creating participative and empowering work places, and defining success beyond shareholder value.
Hors d’ouevres at 7pm
Film starts at 8pm
RSVP: Join the screening by visiting the event page
Location: Main Street Landing Film House, 60 Lake Street, Burlington, Vermont
More information: To learn more about the film, visit: http://
Sponsored in part by: Hallam ICS, PC Construction, PT 360, Gardener’s Supply Company, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, Pension Works, and Carris Reels
Thursday, October 16
8:30am-10:30am—Integrating Mission into Ownership: A business breakfast featuring Marjorie Kelly (Burlington)
Hosted by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility in collaboration with Clean Yield Asset Management and the Donella Meadows Institute, this breakfast event will explore ownership as it relates to business. Ownership expert Marjorie Kelly will give the keynote address and moderate a panel discussion with local entrepreneurs and thought leaders on emerging alternative ownership models in business and finance. Discussion topics include best practices and lessons learned in business transitions to worker ownership, new approaches to business capitalization, the implications for ownership and control over mission and values, and new securities regulations that make investing in Vermont’s small businesses easier.
Location: Main Street Landing, 60 Lake Street, Burlington, Vermont
More information: detailed description, schedule of events, directions, and more available at VBSR’s event page
Follow along! #VBSRownership
11:00am—Public Banks: A German Success Story (Burlington)
Vermonters for a New Economy is sponsoring a talk by Dr. Thomas Keidel, CEO of the German Public Banking Association. All who have an interest in public banking, how it works, and how it might suit Vermont are encouraged to attend!
Location: the Atrium Room at Lake and College, Burlington, Vermont
Follow along! #VTpublicbanks
6:00pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (St. Albans)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: Franklin Co. Senior Center, St. Albans, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
6:00pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (St. Johnsbury)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: St. Johnsbury School Gym, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
6:00pm—New Economy Singalong (Montpelier)
Bring your musical instruments and voices to Bagito’s Cafe for a New Economy Singalong! We’ll be singing songs about peace, justice and sustainability. All are welcome!
Location: Bagito’s Cafe, 28 Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont
6:30pm—People’s Forum on Human Rights and the Economy (White River Junction)
The People’s Forums will bring together candidates for public office with local community members, who will share personal stories about the interconnected crises we are facing and ask for candidates’ positions on issues such as universal healthcare, workers’ rights, climate justice, disability rights, state budget and economy. Participants will emphasize that we can no longer afford to compete with one another for public resources, and that our state must take a holistic approach and raise the revenue necessary to adequately address the crises in our communities and environment.
These events are being hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center, 350Vermont, Vermont Center for Independent Living, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, AFT-VT, and AFSCME-VT, as well as other statewide and local allies and partners in the labor, environmental, and disability rights movements.
Location: Hartford High School, White River Junction, Vermont
More information: contact maeve@350vt.org
7:00pm—Last Call Film Screening (South Royalton)
Last Call is a new documentary film that tells the story of the groundbreaking 1972 Limits to Growth study. With a wealth of high-quality historic footage and extensive interviews with the core Limits to Growth team, Last Call explores the thinking leading up to the study, the storm of controversy it sparked upon its publication, and the ways the sustainability narrative has changed over the past four decades. At its core, it is a revealing look at the complexities and roadblocks involved in creating a paradigm shift–even one grounded in good data.
Following the screening, Marta Ceroni of the Donella Meadows Institute will lead a discussion about issues raised in the film, including the meaning of sustainability today and approaches for creating change in today’s world. Light food and drink will be provided.
To read more about the film, see: “Last Call: The complicated story of a study’s simple findings.”
Location: 110 Oakes Hall, Vermont Law School, South Royalton, Vermont
Organizers: BALE and the Vermont Law School Food and Agriculture Law Society
More information: contact chris@balevt.org.
Follow along! #LastCall
7:30pm—To the Moon Film Screening (Burlington)
Cafe and coffee spot Maglianero will host a free screening of To the Moon, a documentary inspired by the U.N.’s declaration of 2012 as the “International Year of Cooperatives.” To the Moon follows the journey of eighteen college students who bicycle from California to Massachusetts in order to spread awareness about cooperatives, a business model they believe to be a solution to the volatile global economy. They confront frustrating realities while discovering their place in the world, and the results are at once chaotic, enlightening, and unforgettable. Following the film, co-op expert Eric DeLuca will lead a discussion.
Location: Maglianero Cafe, 47 Maple Street, Burlington, Vermont
More information: Read the event press release here
Attend: Join the event page here
Sponsors: Donella Meadows Institute, Cooperative Vermont, Green Mountain Worker Co-op Alliance, Maglianero, The Karma Bird House
Follow along! #ToTheMoon
Randolph Area Community Development Corporation Annual Meeting (Randolph)
All are welcome to attend the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation‘s Annual Meeting. Come learn about new projects and lend your voice to improving your community!
Location and time information TDB.
7:00pm-8:30pm—Solarize Launch (Woodstock)
Solarize Upper Valley is a program of Vital Communities aimed at making residential and small business solar photovoltaic (PV) energy more accessible across our region. Pomfret-Woodstock has been chosen as one of their targets for Fall 2014, so come celebrate the possibilities of solar and its positive impacts on our economies and communities! You’ll have the chance to meet our partner installer, learn about solar, talk with other interested residents, and sign up for a free site visit.
Location: TBD, Woodstock, Vermont
More information: visit the Solarize Upper Valley page.
Friday, October 17
12:00pm-1:00pm—Gillian Galford, Gund Fellow, “Vermont Climate Assessment: Costs and Challenges of Climate Change in Vermont” (Burlington)
Gund Institute for Ecological Economics Fellow Gillian Galford will discuss climate change in the context of Vermont. How is it affecting us as individuals, communities, and as a state? Come to learn and discuss challenges and change.
Location: Johnson House Conference Room, UVM, Burlington, Vermont
7:00pm—Rick Tetzeli, “The New Competitive Edge: Finding and Living Your Mission” (Middlebury)
Rick Tetzeli is the Executive Editor of Fast Company, the world’s leading progressive business media brand with a unique focus on innovation in technology, ethical economics, leadership, and design. In his keynote address, he will discuss creativity, innovation, and discovering ways to live and do business with purpose and meaning.
Location: Twilight Hall Auditorium, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont
Follow Along Online!
Even if you can’t make it to parts of New Economy Week, you can join the discussion online! We’ll be tweeting throughout the week from our account @DanaMeadowsInst using the hashtag #NewEconomyWeek. Many of the events also have their own hashtags so you can enjoy live updates (see the event descriptions above).
Additionally, the New Economy Coalition will be hosting an online panel series to discuss key questions throughout the week. Learn more and get involved here.
Spread the Word!
Help us reach out to more people about New Economy Week by telling your family and friends! Post the schedule to Facebook, share it on Twitter, and invite your friends to join our event page for the October 15 ownership forum. You can even download this poster and a poster of the schedule to hang up in your community or share over email!
For example posts and more easy ways to help us get the word out, visit our Vermont’s New Economy Week Promotion page.
Get involved—host an event!
As an organizing hub for New Economy Week in Vermont, our institute is working with individuals and organizations throughout the state to coordinate information and advertise the week’s events. But we need you to fill up the schedule—host a lecture, workshop, tour, or community performance to help us showcase the possibilities of the New Economy!
For a list of ideas for how to plan your own New Economy Week event, check out New Economy Coalition’s Ideas for Action. Please email sarah@donellameadows.org to get your event added to the New Economy Week calendar.
Sponsors
We are grateful to our sponsors for their support of Vermont’s New Economy Week 2014 and a more sustainable, equitable, value-driven economy. Please contact sarah@donellameadows.org if you or your organization would like to contribute to this community event.
