About the communities cohort
The cohort program is akin to “cultural transformation 101” aimed at helping communities enhance their equity journey. Each selected municipality will be asked to enroll two municipal officials to the cohort. Eligible officials who can enroll in the cohort include members of a municipality’s legislative body (city council, Select Board, trustees), a city or town manager or town administrator, a mayor, a department head or a clerk.
The following information will be requested during the application process:
1) (Optional) A letter of interest signed by a majority of the municipality’s legislative body (Select Board, council, etc) that expresses an interest and commitment to participating in the cohort. This letter will be uploaded to the system.
2) Four questions answered directly on the application form:
a) Why does your municipality want to join the “VLCT Welcoming Communities Cohort”?
b) What does your municipality hope to achieve by participating in the cohort?
c) What efforts related to cultural improvement have your community already undertaken?
d) What obstacles do you foresee impeding your ability to create a more welcoming culture in your municipal workplace and in your community?
3) The names, positions and email addresses of the two municipal officials who will be participating in the cohort. (Eligible participants include mayors, city councilors, Select Board members, village trustees, town managers and administrators, department heads and clerks). The officials must have agreed to participate in the cohort before the application is submitted.
4) The number of elected and appointed officials, staff, and volunteer positions (such as planning commission members) in the municipality. This information will be necessary for the data collection portion of the cohort.
