Economy & Business

Burlington Mayor's Press Conference: Burlington City Hall 'Prevent Lead Poisoning' Poster Contest 10/11/2011

Lead poisoning is one of the most significant environmental health hazards affecting children in the United States. It is especially critical to address lead safety in areas with older housing stock, such as Vermont and Burlington. In an effort to inform and engage community children (ages 7-8) and their families, the Burlington Lead Program (BLP) has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington to educate kids about lead and lead poisoning. Education activities concluded with the children participating in an art contest that coincides with National Lead Poisoning Prevention month. About the Burlington Lead Program: The Community and Economic Development Office’s (CEDO) Burlington Lead Program is “dedicated to the prevention of childhood lead poisoning by reducing lead paint hazards and increasing awareness about the dangers posed by lead.” Find out more at: www.cedoburlington.org/housing/programs_and_services/lead_paint/lead_program_main.htm.

Senator Patrick Leahy: Funding to Market Vermont Maple Products - Legislation on Sale of Fraudulent Maple Products 10/11/2011

Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross, and Dakin Farm owner Sam Cutting, join in announcing federal funding for marketing of Vermont maple products in cooperation with Vermont maple industry leaders. Also, the Senator announces new legislation that he will introduce to provide for federal criminal prosecutions and increased penalties for those who knowingly sell fraudulent or adulterated maple products. Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and is the most senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Common Good Vermont: Nonprofit Boards - Fiduciary Responsibility 10/10/2011

Common Good Vermont's Lauren-Glenn Davitian speaks with J. Churchill Hindes PhD., President and CEO of the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties.

Common Good Vermont asked Dr. Hindes about the fiduciary responsibility of Vermont nonprofit boards and to describe key indicators of a nonprofit’s financial health. Dr. Hindes sees nonprofits as business enterprise + mission fulfillment, encouraging strong financial reporting that provides structural information about finances and operations. Prospective board members should look for an external audit (with a clear opinion), formal budget and strategic plan—all measures of how seriously an organization takes itself.

Speaking to recent cases of embezzlement in municipal organizations, Dr. Hindes emphasizes important of clear financial procedures, systems of accountability (internal controls), the involvement of an active Treasurer and Finance Committee.

Resources:
Vermont Nonprofit Act– Title 11B – Vermont Statutes Annotated

Also Watch:

Local Matters: Occupy Burlington Rally 10/09/2011

Occupy Burlington Rally in Support of Occupy Wall Street - October 9th in Burlington, VT.
Produced by Nick Carter, with Production Assistance from Don MacDonald.

GEAR: Youth for Global Economic Accountability Research 10/07/2011

Nick Carter talks with Lindsay Gillies, Project COordinator and Keith Brunner, Media Coordinator, GEAR: Youth for Global Economic Accountability Research.

GEAR is a youth media project and educational platform which uses stories and research to challenge the current economic paradigm and its power structures. GEAR monitors the development of climate 'solutions' rooted in neoliberalism, agribusiness, and international finance.

Burlington Ward 6 NPA Meeting 10/06/2011

Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs) are grassroots, neighborhood organizations that were established in each of Burlington's seven Wards to encourage citizen participation in City government. Working as neighborhood advocacy groups, Neighborhood Planning Assemblies help improve communication between the citizens of Burlington and City government through regular meetings scheduled in each Ward. Ward 6 meets the first Thursday of the month. Meeting place: Greek Orthodox Church 600 South Willard Street.

Bilingual Burlington Bilingue - Classe 1 - Fall 10/06/2011

Elementary Business French for downtown Burlington retail and hospitality workers. Intructor Kim Chase, teacher at Hunt Middle School in Burlington. A production of The Alliance Francaise of the Lake Champlain Region and the Church Street Marketplace Association. Underwritten by Ernie Pomerleau. For more information about this program and how to be involved email Steve Norman at: stevenorman@fastmail.fm or go to www.aflcr.org.

For downloadable materials, please visit http://www.aflcr.org/hospitalityclasses.html

Local Media Show: Vermont Web Marketing Summit Preview 10/04/2011

Hosted by Nick Carter and focussing on Vermont Web Marketing Summit, scheduled for Thursday, November 3, 2011, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Main Street Landing Film House.
More Info: http://vtwebmarketingsummit.com/ Joining Nick is Bibi Mukherjee, Founder, Curve Trends Marketing www.curvetrends.com

Downtown Burlington Real Estate/Retail Market Analysis 09/29/2011

Downtown and Waterfront Plan

The plan will refine broad city-wide goals for sustainable development into focused, actionable, area-specific strategies to ensure the vitality of the central core of our community and enable us to achieve our community vision.

Local Matters: Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott 09/29/2011

Host Nick Carter speaks with Vermont Lt. Governor Phil Scott on the effects of Hurricane Irene on Vermont infrastructure, volunteerism, the future of the State Office Complex, and the upcoming Legislative Session.

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!