Save the Date ~ October 6, 2026

On October 6, 2026 join hundreds of community builders from across Vermont for VCRD’s annual Vermont Community Leadership Summit — a full day of connection, learning, and inspiration for anyone working to strengthen their town.

This year’s Summit is grounded in the newly updated “Vermont Community Leadership in Action Guide” which will shape workshops, panels, group discussions, and networking throughout the day. Sessions will explore practical tools and strategies for leadership and facilitation skills, community engagement and volunteerism, local economic vitality, advancing community projects, and more. Whether you’re a longtime local leader or someone just starting to get involved, you’ll find space to learn, share, and gather ideas you can bring home to your community. All people who care about their town and the future of our state are encouraged to attend. Registration opens in mid-August. Save the date!

If you are interested in sponsoring this year, please see this Sponsorship Form and reach out to Denise Smith at [email protected] or 802-355-0694.

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VCRD’s annual Summits convene Vermonters for cooperative goal-setting around key rural priorities and help leaders build skills, share opportunities, and network. We have been hosting a wide variety of Summits since 1999, relating to climate change, Vermont’s working lands, the future of Vermont, the digital economy, and more. Most recently, we’ve hosted a yearly Vermont Community Leadership Summit where hundreds of people come together to engage with each other, make new connections, build skills, talk through challenges, celebrate successes, and think proactively about the future. Find out more about each of our Summits by clicking through the menu on the left. Our most recent Summit – the 6th Vermont Community Leadership Summit – was held in August 2025. See below for a video of the Summit opening which includes the presentation of the 2025 Vermont Community Leadership Award to the Long-Term Recovery Groups, and the keynote presentation by Ferene Paris of All Heart Inspirations: