Cabot Community Association 2021 Annual Report
We began 2021 began with great promise, envisioning a post-pandemic future with hopes of creating a new normal for Cabot events and activities. But as the return to normal still eludes us, the Cabot Community Association (CCA) Board of Directors and volunteers worked through 2021 to support the following CCA programs/projects –Greater Cabot Area Working Landscape Network, Economic Development Workgroup, Cabot Visual Arts, Fall Foliage Festival and The Cabot Chronicle.
Specifically, our work in 2021 included:
--Launching the Cabot Harvest Hub - an online farm and artisan market to promote local agriculture and art businesses. The pandemic heightened interest in buying local food and this project created an easier way to connect buyers with sellers. The CCA was able to leverage private donations and grant funding (state and foundations) to support this project. After our successful pilot program for the summer 2021 season, we have transferred the project to Faith in Action, so that they might add their expertise on community food security issues to further enhance The Hub.
--Hosting a 2-day Cabot Fall Foliage event to provide opportunities to promote local businesses (local food sellers, Cabot Harvest Hub vendors and Smith Farm) and provide an outdoor, safe way for the community to gather during the pandemic.
--Supporting The Cabot Chronicle advisory board and advertising sales staff as we continued publication throughout the pandemic.
--Providing bookkeeping, administrative assistance (i.e., hosting virtual meetings and assisting groups to accept online donations), office space and grant research to eight local grass roots organizations/projects who, because of their affiliation with the CCA, can solicit tax-deductible donations.
-Continued updates to the CCA web presence to better represent the vitality and diversity of Cabot to attract new homeowners and business owners, and provide an uncomplicated way for community not-for-profit leaders to communicate. [Completion anticipated in February 2022].
--Securing funding to improve Cabot’s presence in regional and statewide marketing efforts targeted at potential new residents and visitors. This project stalled due to the pandemic, but will resume this winter.
--Promoting and administering CCA grants to Cabot not-for-profits and grass roots organizations, including grants to village businesses for beautification this spring and summer, the Faith in Action winter toy & clothing drive and Cabot Arts 12th Night Celebration.
--Assisting other organizations and businesses with event promotion and grant writing.
--Initiating a new relationship with the Community News Service of the University of Vermont to assist with reporting and training for The Chronicle.
--Provided support, financial and administrative, to the electric vehicle charging station at the Willey Building.
--Maintained contacts with legislative representatives.
--The CCA Economic Development Work Group (EDWG) continued to strategize best use of the 3065 Main Street property. In December, the CCA sold the building to a private investor who can make site improvements much more quickly than the CCA could.
--The EDWG is instrumental in creating new relationships with Cabot Creamery administrators to address housing and childcare in Cabot.
--The EDWG has also researched the history of the Cabot Community Investment Fund (formerly UDAG) to account for how Cabot has applied the funds over the 30+ years. State authorities had made the lack of accounting a barrier for Cabot in applying for larger economic development, infrastructure, and housing grants, but now that barrier is eliminated. The history is also interesting and helps us more fully understand the impact these funds have had in Cabot.
--Published nine issues of The Cabot Chronicle, the only local news source that reaches every household in Cabot. The Chronicle helps bridge the communication gaps in town by offering free advertising space to local not-for-profits and community groups and providing extensive space to town government for coverage of town business and outreach.
Cabot Community Association Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021
Specifically, our work in 2021 included:
--Launching the Cabot Harvest Hub - an online farm and artisan market to promote local agriculture and art businesses. The pandemic heightened interest in buying local food and this project created an easier way to connect buyers with sellers. The CCA was able to leverage private donations and grant funding (state and foundations) to support this project. After our successful pilot program for the summer 2021 season, we have transferred the project to Faith in Action, so that they might add their expertise on community food security issues to further enhance The Hub.
--Hosting a 2-day Cabot Fall Foliage event to provide opportunities to promote local businesses (local food sellers, Cabot Harvest Hub vendors and Smith Farm) and provide an outdoor, safe way for the community to gather during the pandemic.
--Supporting The Cabot Chronicle advisory board and advertising sales staff as we continued publication throughout the pandemic.
--Providing bookkeeping, administrative assistance (i.e., hosting virtual meetings and assisting groups to accept online donations), office space and grant research to eight local grass roots organizations/projects who, because of their affiliation with the CCA, can solicit tax-deductible donations.
-Continued updates to the CCA web presence to better represent the vitality and diversity of Cabot to attract new homeowners and business owners, and provide an uncomplicated way for community not-for-profit leaders to communicate. [Completion anticipated in February 2022].
--Securing funding to improve Cabot’s presence in regional and statewide marketing efforts targeted at potential new residents and visitors. This project stalled due to the pandemic, but will resume this winter.
--Promoting and administering CCA grants to Cabot not-for-profits and grass roots organizations, including grants to village businesses for beautification this spring and summer, the Faith in Action winter toy & clothing drive and Cabot Arts 12th Night Celebration.
--Assisting other organizations and businesses with event promotion and grant writing.
--Initiating a new relationship with the Community News Service of the University of Vermont to assist with reporting and training for The Chronicle.
--Provided support, financial and administrative, to the electric vehicle charging station at the Willey Building.
--Maintained contacts with legislative representatives.
--The CCA Economic Development Work Group (EDWG) continued to strategize best use of the 3065 Main Street property. In December, the CCA sold the building to a private investor who can make site improvements much more quickly than the CCA could.
--The EDWG is instrumental in creating new relationships with Cabot Creamery administrators to address housing and childcare in Cabot.
--The EDWG has also researched the history of the Cabot Community Investment Fund (formerly UDAG) to account for how Cabot has applied the funds over the 30+ years. State authorities had made the lack of accounting a barrier for Cabot in applying for larger economic development, infrastructure, and housing grants, but now that barrier is eliminated. The history is also interesting and helps us more fully understand the impact these funds have had in Cabot.
--Published nine issues of The Cabot Chronicle, the only local news source that reaches every household in Cabot. The Chronicle helps bridge the communication gaps in town by offering free advertising space to local not-for-profits and community groups and providing extensive space to town government for coverage of town business and outreach.
Cabot Community Association Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021
We welcome new volunteers and 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, Gwen Hallsmith, 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, Gwen Hallsmith, Susan Robinson, Lori Augustyniak, Exec. Director
