Vermont Employee Ownership Center Inc

THIS PROJECT PROVIDES SUPPORT IN A FEW WAYS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE VERMONT EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP CENTER TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER BROAD BASED OWNERSHIP. FIRST IT PROVIDES RESOURCES TO SUPPORT INCREASED ENGAGEMENT OUTREACH PROGRAMMING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE. AS A SMALL ORGANIZATION BASED IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF VERMONT WE HAVE LONG RECOGNIZED OUR LIMITED ABILITY TO SERVE THAT REGION AS A CHALLENGE AND THIS FUNDING ADDRESSES IT IN A FEW WAYS. IT FUNDS A SHARED STAFF POSITION IN COLLABORATION WITH A LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION A REGIONAL OUTREACH AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND AN ANNUAL MINI CONFERENCE AIMED AT COMPLEMENTING THE ANNUAL VERMONT EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP CONFERENCE THAT IS HELD ANNUALLY IN NORTHWESTERN VERMONT. SECOND IT ADDRESSES A SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL GAP FOR SMALL EMPLOYEE OWNED BUSINESSES IN RELATION TO THEIR GOVERNANCE. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SMALL EO BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY COOPERATIVE ONES ARE GENERALLY MADE UP OF EMPLOYEE OWNERS MANY OF WHOM HAVE LIMITED OR NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE SERVING ON A BOARD. SO THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE PILOT AND DEVELOPMENT OF A BOARD MEMBER TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS TO GET UP TO SPEED ON KEY TOPICS SUCH AS FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING POLICY DEVELOPMENT BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEST PRACTICES AND OTHER VITAL TOPICS. ONCE DEVELOPED AND REFINED OUR HOPE IS THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL BE OFFERED ANNUALLY AND ULTIMATELY BECOME SELF SUPPORTING.

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK VERMONT EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP CENTER INC FY 22 CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING