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.

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.

Financial Sponsors

Thanks to the Summit sponsors who make this event possible:

   

Platinum

Vermont Community Foundation

Diamond

Community National Bank

Gold

The Alchemist Foundation
The Alchemist Brewery
Killington Resort
King Arthur Flour
Passumpsic Bank
UVM Office of Engagement / Leahy Center
VELCO
VT Creative Network
VT Dept. of Housing & Community Development
Weston and Samson

Silver

Efficiency VT
Evernorth
Greater Burlington Industrial Corp
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Mascoma Bank
National Life Group
Pomerleau Real Estate
Preservation Trust of VT
RDC’s of Vermont
Union Mutual of VT
VT Economic Development Authority
VT Housing & Conservation Board
VT Humanities
VT State University
VT Sustainable Jobs Fund

Outreach Sponsors

We appreciate the support of our outreach sponsors in sharing information about the Summit through their networks!

Action Circles
Addison County Economic Development Corporation
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions
Capstone Community Action
Center for an Agricultural Economy
Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region
Common Good Vermont
Energy Action Network
Governor’s Institutes of Vermont
Lake Champlain Chamber (Leadership Champlain & Burlington Young Professionals)
Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corporation
Lamoille Chamber of Commerce / Lamoille Economic Development Corporation
Liberation Ecosystem
NEK Collaborative
Northeast Organic Farming Association – NOFA VT
Springfield Regional Development Corporation
Two Rivers – Ottauquechee Regional Commission
United Ways of Vermont / Vermont 211
Urban & Community Forestry Program
UVM Center for Rural Studies
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) – Leadership Program
Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB)
Vermont School Boards Association
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation – VSAC
Vermont Trails and Greenways Council
Vermont Commission on Women
Vermont Works for Women
VT 250th Commission
Windham Regional Planning Commission

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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: