Everyone can get involved with the VTRC!
There are many opportunities, regardless of who you are, to be part of the Vermont Truth and Reconciliation process. Whether you're a concerned member of the public, a dedicated volunteer, a community organization, a legislator with a passion for justice, or an institution committed to community empowerment and growth, your involvement is invaluable. Together, let us embark on this vital mission to confront our past, reconcile our differences, and build a brighter future for all Vermonters. Join us, and let's make history, one step towards truth and reconciliation at a time.
Below are the ways to get involved:
Impacted Communities
Who is considered an impacted community member? These are those that have been often excluded from telling their truths. They are the focus of this work. There will be multiple ways to participate based upon preferences of the
individual, including private and confidentially, affinity spaces, and public truth-telling sessions.
Act 128 references specific communities including:
- Native American or Indigenous;
- Individuals with physical, psychiatric, or mental conditions or disability, and the families of individuals with the physical, psychiatric or mental health condition or disability;
- Black individuals and other individuals of color;
- Individuals with French Canadian, French- Indian or other mixed ethnic or racial heritage;
- Other populations and communities at the discretion of the commission.
The commission will also look at how other communities have experienced state sponsored discrimination.
What is telling your truth?
Telling one's truth in the context of Truth and Reconciliations is a courageous act that involves sharing personal experiences and perspectives with the aim of fostering understanding and healing. It requires revealing the often difficult and painful aspects of one's history and sometimes one's present, acknowledging the impact of past injustices and contributing to a collective narrative that seeks to reckon with the truth. In the spirit of reconciliation, telling your truth is an essential step towards building empathy, breaking down barriers and creating a shared space where diverse stories can coexist. Sharing your truth involves speaking your own experiences without anyone dismissing or telling you that your perspective is wrong, Sharing your truth is a strong way of making your voice heard, breaking down walls and being part of acknowledging and dealing with complicated parts of our history.
Sign up here
Members of the Public
The public has meaningful opportunities to engage in the truth and reconciliation process. By attending public meetings, community members can learn about the discrimination that has occurred, gaining insight i
into perspectives and information previously unknown to them.
Bearing witness becomes a crucial aspect, recognizing the importance of understanding diverse experiences. Just being present at our public meetings, during truth-telling sessions and participating in the overall process is essential to cultivating community understanding.
Furthermore, members of the public with specific areas of expertise, be it in research, mental health, trauma-informed processes, or data compilation, are encouraged to actively participate. Their skills and knowledge contribute significantly to the comprehensive understanding and healing process.
Volunteering is also a valuable way for the public to get involved, fostering a collaborative effort to address historical injustices and work towards a more inclusive and just community.
Cultural humility is essential to all participating in this process.
The type of volunteers needed include but are not limited to the following:
- Trauma informed expertise Volunteers (before, during and after)
- Research Volunteers
- Marketing Volunteers
- Statement Takers
- Security
- Victim Support during truth telling sessions
- Artistic
- Photographer
- Miscellaneous – Checking in, management of food and refreshments, tabling, ushering
- Caterers
Sign up here
Community Organizations
It takes a village and we need your help to spread the word the way only you can. Community organization support is vital to the work of TRC. They act as a conduit to impacted communities and the truth telling process. We would like to speak to your organization about the communities that you serve and the best ways to reach them and communicate with and most especially the needs that they have.
Additionally, if your organization does not have access to impacted communities, but has interest in supporting this work, there are multiple ways to join us.
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The type of assistance from community organizations needed include but are not limited to the following:
- Trauma informed expertise Volunteers (before, during and after)
- Outreach and connection to impacted communities
- Statement Takers
- Victim Support during truth telling sessions
- Miscellaneous – Checking in, management of food and refreshments, tabling, ushering
Sign up here
Vermont Legislators
Vermont legislators hold a central role in advancing VTRC efforts, requiring active engagement not only in policy initiatives but also in fostering a culture of understanding within the state government. A crucial aspect of their responsibility involves encouraging colleagues and fellow government officials to actively participate in the reconciliation process, particularly in the humbling act of hearing and acknowledging painful truths. This entails advocating for a collective commitment to approach the process with humility, empathy, and a genuine openness to diverse perspectives. By cultivating an environment where everyone is willing to confront historical injustices with sincerity, Vermont legislators can lead the way in building a foundation for genuine reconciliation and lasting positive change within the state.
Take the Pledge
Institutions 
Institutions that have collaborated with the State of Vermont in acts of discriminatory harm can significantly contribute to the VTRC process by acknowledging their historical involvement and actively engaging in remedial actions. This entails committing to transparency, accountability, and self-examination to uncover the full extent of contributions to discrimination.
Participating in truth-telling initiatives and collaborating with affected communities fosters a comprehensive understanding of systemic issues. Institutions can take tangible steps to rectify past injustices, implement equitable policies, and cultivate inclusivity.
A crucial aspect of involvement is offering financial support by reaching out to relevant offices to assist with expenses related to this vital work. By addressing resource needs not covered in the budget, these institutions demonstrate a tangible commitment to healing and contribute to building a more just and equitable future in collaboration with affected communities and stakeholders.
We notably name institutions who have participated in this harm as “Reconciliation Partners,” in that spirit, ways for involvement include participation in the public hearings process and fiduciary/in-kind resource contributions.