Pandemic: What Does Resilience Looks Like?
Royalton Area Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-Up
BALE (Building A Local Economy) and Community Resilience Organizations (CROs) are taking steps to actively respond to the pandemic. We expect that COVID-19 is in our communities and we are coordinating a public response as a proactive and reactive measure to protect and support each other... particularly our most vulnerable populations.
A top priority at this time is to reduce the spread of the virus by staying home. Another top priority is making sure that all community members have what they need to enable them to stay home, whether sick or healthy.
Our first step is a survey of those who want to help. This list is being compiled by community organizers to share with others who are physically and emotionally available for mutual aid work around the COVID-19 pandemic at the local level.
What's New... What's Ahead...
Is White River Community Solar
for You?
A Major New Initiative.
A collaboration of BALE and the Energy Clinic at Vermont Law School (and being built by Catamount Solar), this “true” 150 kilowatt community solar project is expected to be on line this fall. If you are interested – or just curious – we will be posting an online presentation (while the pandemic continues). As well, you can simply call us at 802-498-8438 or email chris@balevt.org.
We are getting close to filling up the membership, but are still in need of several more folks to sign on. Now's your chance (you must be a Green Mountain Power customer to participate).
Community
Resilience Hubs
A Major New Initiative.
In collaboration with Community Resilience Organizations (CROs), BALE is developing a “Community Resilience Hubs” program in the White River watershed... and in receptive towns across Vermont. This project seeks to cultivate hubs of resilience – places where people gather for skills-building and sharing, social and organizational connectivity, and emergency preparedness that focuses on local adaptation to climate impacts. We are seeking receptive communities who are interested in this new phase of building resilience and will be providing resources to enable these initiatives to become reality.
Americans Who
Tell the Truth
Visual Art for Social Change. The winter months at the White River Gallery @ BALE will be filled with the art of social conscience. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the gallery will only be available by calling 802-498-8438 to schedule appointments (and only for a few people at a time).
-- Photo credit: Li Shen ...
Climate and Community Resilience
Lessons from the Soil.
Due to the unfolding public health concerns regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Climate and Community Resilience series will be modified to a webinar format using Zoom until such time as it becomes safe to gather in public again. This decision is based on local health officials and CDC recommendations to limit public events and encourage self-distancing.
Sunday programs are from 3:30 to 6 pm. Monday programs are from 5:30 to 8 pm. If we can hold any of the events in person, you will receive an update through your registration and on the series website.
We believe that now, more than ever, strengthening community and providing opportunities for people to connect and learn together is an urgent need. This is why we have chosen to move to a webinar format instead of cancelling the series altogether. The new format may increase access for more people to join and will remain available for future viewing on the Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition website. We deeply apologize if the webinar format does not meet the needs of some of our community members who were planning to attend.
For those who are able, please plan to join us from your home, or in small groups in your community. Please register to receive updates - we will keep everyone informed to changes as the uncertain future unfolds. Registered participants will receive a Zoom link for each event prior to the event; the link will also be posted on the series website. Dates and adjusted timing are below, on our registration page, on the Facebook Event page, and on the series website.
You'll need to download Zoom (free) in order to participate. Learn how to use Zoom for upcoming events here.