The Rutland Area NAACP is proud to be hosting Rooted Together, an upcoming fully sponsored leadership convening. Rooted Together was created from a simple belief:
Strong communities are built through strong relationships.
Too often, leaders are asked to gather only to exchange information, solve immediate problems, or attend another meeting. While those spaces are important, they rarely provide the opportunity to slow down, build trust, reflect, heal, and imagine what is possible together.
Rooted Together is intentionally different.
Over the course of three days, approximately thirty community and organizational leaders from across Vermont will come together to share meals, engage in facilitated conversations, spend time in reflection, experience moments of rest, and build authentic relationships that strengthen both their leadership and their communities.
This is not a conference.
It is a carefully curated convening rooted in relationship, belonging, healing, and collective possibility.
Throughout our time together, we will return to one guiding question:
What becomes possible when freedom is our measure?
We do not expect everyone to answer that question in the same way.
In fact, we hope they won’t.
Instead, we believe that asking it together creates space for deeper conversations, stronger relationships, and new ways of imagining the future we are building together.
A Thoughtfully Curated Experience
Because Rooted Together is intentionally intimate, participation is limited to approximately 30 leaders.
Rather than selecting participants on a first-come, first-served basis, our planning committee will thoughtfully curate a cohort that reflects a diversity of lived experiences, communities, perspectives, generations, geographic regions, and sectors from across Vermont. We welcome applications from the entire state and leaders in areas such as advocacy, politics, business, community organizing, government, and education. Our definition of “leadership” is intentionally broad and inclusive; if you bring people together around a meaningful common goal, we hope you’ll apply.
Completing this form allows us to learn more about you and your work. While submitting the form does not guarantee participation, it ensures your interest is considered as we shape this inaugural gathering.
A Commitment to the Full Experience
Rooted Together has been intentionally designed as a shared journey.
Each conversation, reflection, meal, and gathering builds upon the one before it. The experience is strongest when everyone is present—not only for the sessions themselves, but for the informal conversations that happen over coffee, during walks, around the dinner table, and in moments of quiet reflection.
If selected, we ask participants to commit to attending the entire convening, beginning on the morning of Wednesday, October 28, and concluding on Friday morning, October 3 located at the Wilburton Inn Mansion, 257 Wilburton Dr, Manchester, VT 05254
By applying, you are indicating that, if invited, you will make every effort to be fully present for the entirety of the experience. We are honored that you are considering being part of this inaugural gathering, and we look forward to learning more about you and the work you are doing throughout Vermont. Applications are due Monday, August 8.