VITAL COMMUNITIES
Class of 2020
Charlene Ashey, River Valley Community College
Audra Bonds, Hanover Co-op Food Stores & Auto Service Centers
Mary Bourque, Sullivan County
Allison Childs, Claremont Savings Bank
Darcy Curran, Kendal at Hanover
Jennifer Eastman, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Asma Elhuni, United Valley Interfaith Project
Sandy Gmur, Cobb Hill CoHousing
Michelle Hale, Dartmouth College
Hillary Halleck, Red River
Anita Hamalainen, Self-employed
Kyle Hayman, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Susan Howard, Pyrus Horticultural, Inc.
Jan Hutslar, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley
Sarah Jackson, Institute for Sustainable Communities
Robert Kay, Hypertherm
Ian Kipperman , Gallagher, Flynn and Company, LLP
Nancy LaRowe, Vital Communities
Liza McSwain, Mascoma Bank
Shaun Mulholland, City of Lebanon
Lisa Saturley, LISTEN Community Services
Kristi Saunders, Lake Sunapee Region VNA
Jennifer Schiffman
Lauren Schumacher, Mascoma Bank
Kelly Sczomak, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park
Alison Sherman, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
June Sweetsir, Geokon
Susan Swenson, FUJIFILM Dimatix
Ethan Ticehurst, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Jesse Vazzano, Veterans Health Administration
John Wallace, Dartmouth College
Sally Wilson, SCORE/SBA
Session Schedule and Information
Session One – Building Community
September 11, 2019
Thetford, VT
Thank you to our day sponsors: Aloha Foundation.
Community Building Day is the opening session for the program where we set the stage for our 10 months together. The goals of the day are to welcome participants to the program, get to know each other, and begin our exploration of the Upper Valley.
Session Two – Education Day
Date: Thursday, October 10. Kilton Library, West Lebanon
Day Planner: Joanne Roberts, Superintendent, SAU 88 Lebanon Schools
Gain an understanding of the challenges, assets and innovations of the education system in the Upper Valley. Explore educational opportunities and possibilities for involvement.
Session Three – Art and the Creative Economy
Nov 13, 2019
Day Planner: Jarvis Antonio Green, Founder and Producing Artistic Director, JAG Productions
Thank you to our day sponsor: Ben Schore.
Develops first-hand knowledge of how the arts impact our lives and the region’s economy. We will discuss ways to bring the arts into your workplace and your life.
Session Four – Health and Human Services
Dec 11, 2018
Day Planner: Barbara Farnsworth, Manager, Community Health Improvement, Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Learn about the services supporting institutions and residents of the Upper Valley. We build an understanding of community dynamics and gain an understanding of the needs and resources of local nonprofit and service organizations.
Session Five – Economic Development
Jan 8, 2020
Claremont, NH
Day Planner: Nancy Merrill, Director, Planning and Development, City of Claremont
Thank you to our day sponsor: Claremont Savings Bank Foundation
How does this region attract and develop business? Evaluate the dimensions of “growth”? What kind is positive? How is it monitored? What is the role of public opinion? Business and civic leaders outline the potential and limits of growth in our region, as well as standard practices and innovative systems, and the influence of entrepreneurship.
Session Six – Justice
Feb 12, 2020
Springfield, VT
Day Planner: Robert Sand, Assistant Professor, Vermont Law School
Explore some of the current issues surrounding the criminal justice system in the Upper Valley. Examine the broader societal issues which impact the criminal justice system and our community, including poverty, education, family structure, substance abuse, mental health, health care, and more.
Session Seven – Government & Politics
Mar 11, 2020
Day Planner: Karen Liot-Hill
Rockefeller Center, Dartmouth College
The structure, role and responsibilities of state, county, and town/city governmental bodies are outlined. Learn how you can be a more engaged citizen, which will influence your professional and personal life. Gain insights from elected and appointed officials – as well as your peers in the room – into overcoming challenges to meaningful involvement in the affairs of your community.
Session Eight – Transportation & Livable Communities
Apr 8, 2020
Day Planner: Bethany Fleishman, Transportation Manager, Vital Communities
Understand the impact of our growing and increasingly more complex transportation network and how our travel choices affect our environment, economy and social fabric. Discuss affordable housing issues and opportunities in our region.
Session Nine – Environment
May 13, 2020
Day Planner: Hannah Gelroth
VINS, Quechee, VT
What does an “environmentally sustainable” Upper Valley look like? Explore its implications on your quality of life and economic vitality. Broaden your perspectives on the interaction of environment, economy and community by addressing questions relating to the environment, energy, land use and agriculture.
Session Ten
Closing/Beyond LUV and Graduation
June 10, 2020
Wrapping it all up. Review how you have begun to apply what you have learned during the program. Discuss how your workplace and your personal life have benefited by your participation. Clarify your plans to become a more active leader and contributor in your community. Receive your certification as an enthusiastic and active participant in the Leadership Upper Valley program.
What's Happening
Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper Valley at its annual Hero [...]
Heroes & Leaders: Creating a Vital Upper Valley
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals who [...]
A Lot Lighter with More Hands: Leadership Upper Valley
On the bright, sunny morning of June 13, Cobb Hill was waking up, and the soon-to-be graduating 2018 Leadership Upper Valley class was just arriving f [...]
Longevity & Commitment: Keynote Remarks from Heroes & Leaders 2018
Editor's Note: Many thanks to Kevin Peterson, Director of Economic Development for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, who offe [...]
Long-Standing Stewards: Heroes & Leaders 2018
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts a Heroes & Leaders celebration to recognize individuals who make sign [...]
30 Local Leaders Graduate from Leadership Upper Valley
Vital Communities celebrated its Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2017 on June 14, in a commencement ceremony at Harpoon Brewery. Thirty of the region [...]
Closing Remarks for Heroes & Leaders from Markell Ripps
Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the young leaders who are being honored tonight, and thank you to Vital Communities for recognizing their im [...]
Meet the 2017 Heroes & Leaders Honorees
Merritt Patridge
Merritt Patridge joined the Tuck School of Business in 2015, where she serves as Executive Director of the Center for B [...]
Connection, Collaboration & Service
With the graduation of this year’s class of 30 participants, Leadership Upper Valley has trained more than 200 community leaders — from bankers to [...]
30 Community Leaders Graduate from Leadership Upper Valley
Leadership Upper Valley Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Largest Class Ever
The largest class yet – 30 participants – graduated from Vi [...]
Vital Communities Program News
Support TLC Campaigns Now!
Invest in your community and contribute to campaigns today! Visit the TLC Upper Valley campaign page The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley is a community-based crowdfunding platform that empowers individuals to support the businesses, organizations, and initiatives ...more
Join Us: Open House December 6!
Our annual Open House is one of our favorite events of the year—a chance to catch up with old friends of Vital Communities, make welcome new connections, and celebrate positive change in the Upper Valley ...more
Exciting TLC Projects to Fund!
Invest in your community and contribute to these exciting campaigns! Whaleback Base Lodge Energy Efficiency Updates, Enfield You might not know this, but Whaleback is run by The Upper Valley Snow Sports Foundation (UVSSF), a nonprofit entity, ...more
Shop Indie Local this Season!
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a dollar spent at a non-local business. With consumers reporting that they will spend an average ...more
Nov. 19 Green Real Estate Crash Course
Vital Communities is offering its popular Green Real Estate Crash Course again on Tuesday, November 19, at Service Credit Union, just off I-89 in Lebanon, NH. Earn 3 elective credits in VT and NH. Register online at vitalcommunities.org/greenrealestate This is NOT your average CE ...more
Nov. 19 Green Real Estate Crash Course
Vital Communities is offering its popular Green Real Estate Crash Course again on Tuesday, November 19, at Service Credit Union, just off I-89 in Lebanon, NH. Earn 3 elective credits in VT and NH. Register online at vitalcommunities.org/greenrealestate This is NOT your average CE ...more
Fall Guided Quest: Trees of Dartmouth Quest
Join Vital Communities' Valley Quest Coordinator Beth Roy on a guided treasure hunt of the trees of Dartmouth. Celebrate fall as we discover many exotic trees around the Dartmouth College Campus and learn about their ...more
A New Quest to Celebrate the Mascoma River Greenway!
Have you been on the Mascoma River Greenway yet? If not, it is time to check it out. I had a fantastic time follwing the new Quest of the Mascoma River Greenway. I took my ...more
Celebrate Farm to School Month With Our Fall Farm to School Forum
Meet Your Local Farm to School Network! The Upper Valley Farm to School Network invites you to gather in your region to build local connections with peers and Farm to School practitioners, and access resources. Find ...more
From the State House to the Farm House
Calling all Vermont Farmers! You're invited to the second annual From the State House to the Farmhouse event on Sunday September 22nd from 1-4 pm and talk one-on-one with your legislators and influence policy. Across the state ...more
A New Quest in Pomfret, Vermont
Earlier this summer I had the fortune of working with the amazing staff of the Artistree Community Arts Center in Pomfret, Vermont on offering a Questing Camp. Over the week the campers learned about the ...more
Welcome Norwich Solar Technologies!
We are proud to welcome Norwich Solar Technologies as a Local First Promoter Sponsor! The White River Junction-based renewable energy company provides end-to-end solar solutions to businesses in Vermont, New Hampshire, and throughout New England. ...more
2nd Annual Curb The Car Day - Friday, May 17!
On May 17, 2019 the rest of the country is celebrating National Bike to Work Day, but here in the Upper Valley we’ll be taking it a step further with our second annual Curb The ...more
12th Annual Roundtable - May 7
You're Invited! The 12th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable is Tuesday, May 7, 5-8 pm in West Lebanon! This annual gathering of local energy volunteers is open to all, whether you serve on an energy committee, wish to ...more
April Meet-Up Series for Beginning Farmers
We have an exciting project for new farmers in the White River valley portion of our region! The High Meadows Fund is supporting a series of free peer-to-peer gatherings for beginning farmers to build community and learn. ...more
Dazzlingly Reflective, 80's Style
We love pairing style with nighttime visibility, so we've ordered REFLECTIVE SLAP BRACELETS to reward people who bike or walk to Flavors of the Valley on Sunday, April 7! If you bike and walk to the ...more
Get your bike, boots, or shoes ready!
Get your bike, boots, or shoes ready! From our friends at Local Motion comes the Winter Edition of Vermont's Bike-Walk Challenge, February 1 to 8! Simply record two bike or walk commutes in the Go! Vermont app ...more
Seeking Bids from Solar Installers by Nov. 30
Vital Communities is teaming up with Kearsarge Climate Action to launch a Solarize Kearsarge campaign in spring 2019, following on the tails of the upcoming Weatherize Kearsarge campaign launching in January 2019. We are seeking proposals ...more
Staff
Rob Schultz
Leadership Upper Valley Manager, Director of Development
Leadership UV
Leadership UV
— Rob Schultz, Leadership Upper Valley Manager, Director of Development
Rob Schultz is the Leadership Upper Valley Manager and Director of Development at Vital Communities. Most recently, he served as Area Coordinator for Granite United Way in the Upper Valley Region. Rob was Executive Director of COVER Home Repair in White River Junction for 9 years. Before working at COVER, Rob was Executive Director for the Farm & Wilderness Foundation for 8 years; helped start a corporate training center for PT Timah in Sumatra Indonesia; and ran programs for Outward Bound in Minnesota, Texas, and New Mexico. He is a graduate of Earlham College and has done graduate work at University of Maryland in International Political Economy. He lives in Hanover with his partner Diane. He sings with Thetford Chamber Singers and is an avid carpenter, cellist, wilderness traveler, and gardener.