Some of the most effective strategies to bring energy efficiency programming to low-income people are those that use local, trusted community-based networks. Whether you are working to improve the visibility of a short-term campaign or a long-term program, this webinar will help by providing proven strategies and techniques to reach the hard-to-reach. An overview of some of the best practices will be accompanied by discussions of programs through Efficiency Vermont and the Dunbarton Energy Committee and the successful mechanisms used to bring their messages to low-income people.

Drawing on the wisdom of ecological systems, permaculture offers us a vision, design approach, and techniques to create a world of health and abundance. Permaculture distills this knowledge into simple principles that can be applied anywhere from your backyard to your organization. This webinar series is a primer for grassroots groups working on energy, food, new economy, and environmental health projects that are seeking design tools for inspired and positive change. Join us for Permaculture 101, to learn about permaculture principles and design tools and how they apply to your work.

Jesse Watson will introduce ​principles​ of Permaculture Design as they relate to the built environment. He will explore ​how permaculture is being used to create ecologically and economically resilient properties. This will include a simple survey of techniques to illustrate how landscape elements and management strategies can make the built environment more energy efficient. Steve Whitman will then explain the interface between this ecological approach to land use change and municipal plans and regulations. This includes identifying potential regulatory barriers to good design and development, and the opportunities that exist locally to guide land use change in a direction that makes each of our communities more ecologically intact and resilient.

We've all heard about Solarize campaigns. They're popping up all over and leaving a trail of solar homes in their wake. Now it's your turn. Vital Communities, the nonprofit behind Solarize Upper Valley, has created a comprehensive toolkit with timelines, templates, and examples to help any community Solarize. Vital Communities' own Sarah Simonds will walk us through the online Solarize Toolkit and offer tips on where to start and what to expect. We'll also hear from Pete LaBelle of Cavendish, Vermont, who led his energy committee in a Solarize campaign this summer.

In Co-ops 101 we’ll hear stories from two inspiring worker-owned co-ops, CERO and Toxic Soil Busters, and a resident-owned housing co-op, RAISE-Op about their work, background and reasons for forming a co-op. Facilitator Jonathan Rosenthal, Executive Director of the New Economy Coalition and Co-founder of Equal Exchange will lead a discussion about the basic principles of cooperative ownership—what it entails and how it works, as well as an overview of different cooperative models, such as worker, consumer, and housing co-ops.

Did you know? The New England New Economy Fund (NENE Fund) is launching to provide greater support for the local movement for a new economy in New England! Grassroots groups, funders, and donors take note. Here’s what NENE does: 1. provides direct support for grassroots groups through grants, 2. offers opportunities for skills-building and training, and 3. facilitates network-building activities to foster a learning community of local groups in New England.

Join us to learn about The Grassroots Fund’s grants program and how to apply. In this webinar, we will discuss the types of projects we fund, explain the difference between our Seed and Grow grants, and most importantly, be available to answer any questions you may have. Our upcoming Grow Grant deadline is September 15th and your group may qualify for a grant of up to $3,500! 

Wish your energy committee could make more of an impact in your community? Is your committee struggling to identify your next project or getting too bogged down in planning? Join us for an introduction to the Local Energy Work Group’s Strategic Energy Action Toolkit that helps energy committees combine the right balance of strategy and action for maximum impact and success. We’ll hear from Vital Communities, a key developer of the toolkit, as well as from energy committees that are already using it to guide their work. You’ll also learn about how to get a copy of the toolkit, participate in trainings, and access other resources for local energy groups.

Presenters:

Sarah Simonds, Vital Communities

Sarah Simonds manages the Energy Program at Vital Communities, a non-profit organization serving the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Through her work, Sarah engages businesses, municipalities, and volunteer energy groups to move the Upper Valley toward energy independence. Since 2013, Sarah has led the development and successful launch of Solarize Upper Valley, partnering with 15 towns to help over 300 residents go solar.

Linda Gray, Norwich Energy Committee

Linda Gray is the current chair of the Norwich Energy Committee, which began its organization in 2001 and was officially formed in 2002. Linda has been active with the committee since 2008, after completing 10 years of service with the school board. She also serves as an Alternate on the District 3 Environmental Commission (Act 250 board). Linda has lived in Norwich since 1986, moving with her family from the Washington, DC, area.

Solarize Upper Valley has helped residents in 24 towns go solar - over 300 residents to date and over 450 expected by the end of the year. What's the secret to their success? Join us to find out. We'll hear from Vital Communities, the nonprofit responsible for coordinating Solarize Upper Valley, as well as the volunteer-installer team who brought Solarize to Randolph, Brookfield, and Braintree last winter. Many communities are launching Solarize campaigns across the Northeast, yours could be next.

Presenters:

Sarah Simonds, Vital Communities

Kevin McCollister, Catamount Solar

Pete Thoenen, Randolph Energy Committee

Community Resilience Organizations (CROs) are local teams, appointed by the town legislative body, that engage residents and town leaders in tasks aimed to lessen losses via climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation, while strengthening local collaboration and social cohesion. CROs build connections between the silos of passionate volunteers in conservation, emergency response and social services, bringing them together to build collaborative projects.  By  leveraging resources and gaining wider community participation, the impact is magnified. Through an annual Day for CROing, teams engage youth and the broader community to collaborate on critical projects that will make the town stronger and safer, while simultaneously including celebration to add fun and build community.