Town-Wide Survey from the Craftsbury Freedom and Unity Committee

What started as the Freedom & Unity Task Force in 2023 was elevated to an official town committee this past February by the Select Board. Freedom & Unity is supporting several 'action groups' focused on short- and medium-term efforts to help support a healthy civic life and local government:

Civics Education & Engagement -- Build knowledge and enthusiasm for civic participation among Craftsbury Academy students, faculty, and townspeople.
Craftsbury University Community Month -- Organize and support a variety of "teach-ins" in April / May conducted by community members sharing their unique skills and knowledge.
Reimagining Board and Leadership Opportunities -- Investigate and report on a variety of suggestions made aimed at strengthening and deepening the leadership of Craftsbury's local government, including the Select Board, town committees, and other public organizations.

1. If you would like to learn more or get involved in any of the above action groups, we'd love to hear from you! Note: these are informal groups...no long-term commitment is needed!

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

2. Last year, Freedom & Unity sponsored the first-ever Craftsbury University offering 17 classes on topics ranging from beer brewing at home, to tree identification, to what happens behind the doors of our local Taylor Swift Club. What kinds of classes would you like to TEACH or ATTEND at this year's Craftsbury University (April 25-May 18)?

3. At the Freedom & Unity public meetings in the fall of 2023, participants broadly acknowledged the vastly more complex effort needed to manage Town affairs in recent years. And that the size and structure of Town government needs attention in order to continue meeting local needs without burning out our neighbors who are doing this work. A broad range of suggestions has been made, ranging from creating new paid staff positions to increasing the size of the Select Board.

The Freedom & Unity Committee may organize a forum with representatives from neighboring towns that have made various changes to their town governments, where we can ask them how their changes have worked out and whether they now feel better able to manage the complexities of town affairs.

How interested would you be in attending such an event?

VERYMAYBENAH

4. How could Town Meeting be improved?

5. Anything else you'd like to tell us?

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND THOUGHTS!

Town-Wide Survey, March 2025