Cabot Community Association 2020 Annual Report
A lot has changed since Town Meeting Day in March 2020. We know many of you are working through the effects of the pandemic and the CCA appreciates every act performed by community members to help our community make it through this challenging time. Our resilience, persistence and kindness will surely help us come out a stronger community on the other side.
The work of the not-for-profit CCA certainly changed this year, since we could not host any events or in person meetings, but our board, staff and volunteers remain committed to enhancing the quality of community life for residents, visitors and those doing business in Cabot. We are pleased to share our accomplishments in 2020 and our goals for 2021.
In 2020, our work included:
---Supporting The Cabot Chronicle advisory board and advertising sales staff as we continued publication throughout the pandemic. The Cabot Select Board questioned whether The Chronicle should become an online publication in an effort to save money. The CCA conducted a reader survey, which indicated overwhelming support to continue the printed version. Of 121 survey participants, 82% indicated support for a printed copy of The Chronicle.
--Working with Cabot not-for-profits and organizations to organize and strengthen the Cabot 4th of July Celebration to promote the entire local economy [Due to COVID-19 this event was cancelled, but planning work occurred from December 2019-May 2020];
--Expanding the Cabot Fall Foliage event to provide opportunities for local businesses to sell their products and artists to share their work [Due to COVID-19 this event was cancelled, but planning work occurred from January – June 2020];
--Organizing an inventory of producers into an online directory for customers to find products locally. COVID-19 has further heightened interest in buying local food and fiber products. There are many producers of both in the Cabot area, who are seeking to get their products to customers. This project will create an easier means to connect the two - a step beyond the more haphazard Front Porch Forum and the individual websites that are useful when people know producers exist. Additional tasks included fundraising and grant writing to support this project.
--Working with the CCA Economic Development Work Group including meetings with a consultant (with assistance from the VT Housing and Conservation Board) on the re-use of the 3065 Main Street property.
--Providing bookkeeping, administrative assistance and grant research for Cabot volunteer organizations, who, because of their affiliation with the CCA, can solicit tax-deductible donations. These organizations include: Northeast Kingdom Warriors Soccer Program, Cabot Community Theater, Friends of the Cabot Public Library, Cabot Mentoring, Ride the Ridges, and Cabot’s 4th of July Celebration, allowing these groups to concentrate on their activities rather than administrative and governmental paperwork.
--Hosting weekly conference calls during the “stay at home orders” for those that sought extra support. These calls have evolved into weekly emergency management calls to identify potential risks and locate resources.
--Providing assistance to groups and businesses with determining COVID protocol and linking them with financial assistance provided by the state.
--Initiating a community conversation about safe protocol for Halloween and drafting and distributing materials outlining public health guidance. In addition, the CCA partnered with the Cabot Public Library to host a Halloween photo contest. The CCA provided the nine prizes totaling $170.
--Assisted Cabot Creamery in the opening of their new Farmers Store by providing support for local vendors to sell their goods.
--Promoting and administering CCA grants to Cabot not for profits and grass roots organizations.
--Represented the not-for-profit sector on the planning committee for the Washington Co. Covid-19 Governor’s Forum
As we look ahead, we anticipate undertaking the following additional tasks in 2021:
--Preparing for July 4 and Fall Foliage in the hopes we will be allowed to congregate or create a viable alternative celebration.
--Launching a Cabot Marketing Association comprised of business owners and interested community members to better promote Cabot to potential homeowners and travelers.
--Endeavoring to build fundraising and advertising potential to support publication The Cabot Chronicle in print and monthly
--Continuing to research and share fundraising sources and COVID-19 relief funding as it becomes available.
-Revising the CCA website to better represent the vitality and diversity of Cabot to attract new homeowners and business owners.
The work of the not-for-profit CCA certainly changed this year, since we could not host any events or in person meetings, but our board, staff and volunteers remain committed to enhancing the quality of community life for residents, visitors and those doing business in Cabot. We are pleased to share our accomplishments in 2020 and our goals for 2021.
In 2020, our work included:
---Supporting The Cabot Chronicle advisory board and advertising sales staff as we continued publication throughout the pandemic. The Cabot Select Board questioned whether The Chronicle should become an online publication in an effort to save money. The CCA conducted a reader survey, which indicated overwhelming support to continue the printed version. Of 121 survey participants, 82% indicated support for a printed copy of The Chronicle.
--Working with Cabot not-for-profits and organizations to organize and strengthen the Cabot 4th of July Celebration to promote the entire local economy [Due to COVID-19 this event was cancelled, but planning work occurred from December 2019-May 2020];
--Expanding the Cabot Fall Foliage event to provide opportunities for local businesses to sell their products and artists to share their work [Due to COVID-19 this event was cancelled, but planning work occurred from January – June 2020];
--Organizing an inventory of producers into an online directory for customers to find products locally. COVID-19 has further heightened interest in buying local food and fiber products. There are many producers of both in the Cabot area, who are seeking to get their products to customers. This project will create an easier means to connect the two - a step beyond the more haphazard Front Porch Forum and the individual websites that are useful when people know producers exist. Additional tasks included fundraising and grant writing to support this project.
--Working with the CCA Economic Development Work Group including meetings with a consultant (with assistance from the VT Housing and Conservation Board) on the re-use of the 3065 Main Street property.
--Providing bookkeeping, administrative assistance and grant research for Cabot volunteer organizations, who, because of their affiliation with the CCA, can solicit tax-deductible donations. These organizations include: Northeast Kingdom Warriors Soccer Program, Cabot Community Theater, Friends of the Cabot Public Library, Cabot Mentoring, Ride the Ridges, and Cabot’s 4th of July Celebration, allowing these groups to concentrate on their activities rather than administrative and governmental paperwork.
--Hosting weekly conference calls during the “stay at home orders” for those that sought extra support. These calls have evolved into weekly emergency management calls to identify potential risks and locate resources.
--Providing assistance to groups and businesses with determining COVID protocol and linking them with financial assistance provided by the state.
--Initiating a community conversation about safe protocol for Halloween and drafting and distributing materials outlining public health guidance. In addition, the CCA partnered with the Cabot Public Library to host a Halloween photo contest. The CCA provided the nine prizes totaling $170.
--Assisted Cabot Creamery in the opening of their new Farmers Store by providing support for local vendors to sell their goods.
--Promoting and administering CCA grants to Cabot not for profits and grass roots organizations.
--Represented the not-for-profit sector on the planning committee for the Washington Co. Covid-19 Governor’s Forum
As we look ahead, we anticipate undertaking the following additional tasks in 2021:
--Preparing for July 4 and Fall Foliage in the hopes we will be allowed to congregate or create a viable alternative celebration.
--Launching a Cabot Marketing Association comprised of business owners and interested community members to better promote Cabot to potential homeowners and travelers.
--Endeavoring to build fundraising and advertising potential to support publication The Cabot Chronicle in print and monthly
--Continuing to research and share fundraising sources and COVID-19 relief funding as it becomes available.
-Revising the CCA website to better represent the vitality and diversity of Cabot to attract new homeowners and business owners.
We welcome new volunteers and new ideas. If you are interested in being involved in any projects mentioned above or in joining the CCA Board of Directors, please contact us.
Respectfully submitted by the CCA Board of Directors:
Paul Wade, President
Frank Kampf, Vice President
Jan Westervelt, Treasurer
Jeannie Johnson, Secretary
Roz Daniels,R.D. Eno, Susan Robinson, Lori Augustyniak, Exec. Director
Respectfully submitted by the CCA Board of Directors:
Paul Wade, President
Frank Kampf, Vice President
Jan Westervelt, Treasurer
Jeannie Johnson, Secretary
Roz Daniels,R.D. Eno, Susan Robinson, Lori Augustyniak, Exec. Director
