VBSR & High Meadows Fund Launch 4th Changemakers Table – Young Professional’s Network for Vermonters Committed to Positive Change
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) and the High Meadows Fund (HMF) are preparing to launch the fourth annual Vermont Changemakers Table professional network for mission-driven young Vermonters. The Changemakers Table is designed to help cohort members meet with and learn from experienced Vermont professionals who have used their careers to influence the state’s environmental, social, and economic future – and to learn new tools for change and policy engagement. The deadline to apply to join the coming year’s cohort is August 21st, 2019.
Changemakers Table participants will meet for four dinners across the state over several months, where they will engage in facilitated conversations on topics recommended by the cohort and connect with established Vermont professionals to learn from other’s successes and failures. Changemakers are encouraged to connect informally outside of the four organized events and take advantage of opportunities to connect with socially responsible businesses at VBSR events. A complimentary VBSR membership will be extended to individuals who are not currently employed by VBSR members.
It is the goal of VBSR and the HMF to form a group of 25 young Vermonters representing a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and geographies. To facilitate meaningful group conversations and intimate interactions with presenters, VBSR and HMF aim to create a small and diverse cohort. Young Vermonters from both for-profit and non-profit enterprises and across every industry and region of state are encouraged to apply through VBSR’s website through August 23rd, 2019.
“We want the Changemakers to stretch their thinking and find inspiration in lessons from peers, as well as from socially responsible icons from within our business community,” said Jane Campbell, Executive Director of VBSR, “we have found that by building a small but diverse cohort – this program has been incredibly productive in fostering a strong network of socially responsible young professionals across the state.”
“It is important to us that the content of this program be driven by the participants themselves, so we focus on the issues most urgent to them,” said VBSR Education & Events Manager Liz Dohrman, “and with the support of the High Meadows Fund, we are able to keep this program very accessible. Applications are free to submit, and the program fee is $140, which includes the cost of the dinners.”
Through the application process, the Changemakers share which community issues they are most interested in, and those issues shape the group’s conversations and roster of guest speakers. Discussions cover topics such as exploring a personal approach to policy work, finding the work that’s right for you and also good for the world, and making the business case for social equity. “I am thankful for Changemakers and hopeful for our generation of leaders.” said Monique Priestley of Bradford, a member of last year’s Changemakers Table.
To learn more about the program or to apply visit vbsr.org/vermont-changemakers-table/
