By Peter McDougall, President + Director, Paul Frank + Collins P.C.

In recent years, the second week of May has been proclaimed “Inclusion Week” in Vermont by Governor Phil Scott. The proclamation reaffirms Vermont’s commitment to eliminating hatred and bigotry in all systems and institutions to improve outcomes for all Vermonters and build more multicultural and socially cohesive communities. The week of recognition is a byproduct of the Declaration of Inclusion initiative which is an ongoing statewide diversity, equity, and inclusion effort.

One of several events recognizing Inclusion Week was held in Burlington to highlight the first 110 municipalities that have adopted a Declaration of Inclusion as well as several partner organizations that have committed to elevating the work of the initiative. The Vermont Chamber was recognized as a dedicated partner, collaborating with initiative leaders to achieve the goal of each Vermont municipality adopting and implementing a declaration.

The event, attended by over 50 community leaders, featured several speakers including people from three municipalities who each shared the impact of the initiative in their town or city. Don Turner, Town Manager for Milton, Jesse Alexander Plotsky, a member of Bethel’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, and Michael Sherman of Montpelier, each reflected on why their municipality had adopted a declaration of inclusion and the work ahead for meaningful implementation. Xusana Davis, the State of Vermont’s Executive Director of Racial Equity, and Lt. Governor David Zuckerman also spoke at the event in support of the initiative along with members of Vermont Interfaith Action which hosted the celebration.

With 67% of the recent population growth in Vermont happening in municipalities that support a Declaration of Inclusion, it’s clear reinforcing welcoming and belonging for all people in all Vermont communities is a positive growth indicator. To learn more about the Declaration of Inclusion, and how to adopt one in your city or town, visit: vtdeclarationofinclusion.org

About the Author:  Peter McDougall has been with Paul Frank + Collins P.C. for over 17 years, currently serving as the President and Treasurer and on its three-member Executive Committee. Pete is a member of the Captive, Corporate, and Insurance law teams. He also serves as the Chair of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

About Paul Frank + Collins: Paul Frank + CollinsP.C.  is a 50+ employee business and litigation law firm with regional, national, and international reach from its Vermont headquarters and satellite offices in Massachusetts and New York. Paul Frank + Collins attorneys provide effective and cost-efficient legal services to individuals and to business clients of all sizes in various industries throughout the world. Paul Frank + Collins P.C. is celebrating its 55^th anniversary in 2023.

The Vermont Chamber joined key partners at the Vermont State House to celebrate Francophonie Month in Vermont and the shared French history and cultural and commercial ties that link communities together for business prosperity and security. 

Chris Carrigan, Vice President of Business Development for the Vermont Chamber was joined by Marie-Claude Francoeur, Quebec Delegate to New England, Susan Murray of U.S. Commercial Service, Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston, and Tim Tierney with the Vermont Agency of Commerce.

Governor Phil Scott proclaimed March as Francophonie Month, citing March 20th as the International Day of La Francophonie, celebrating the bond between francophone regions around the world and their shared values of democracy, human rights, cultural diversity, and solidarity.

For enhanced cross-border trade between Vermont and Canada, Vermont is participating in the 2023 Aeromart Montréal aerospace and defense trade show. This work will support the Vermont – Québec Aerospace Trade Corridor and expand on the Vermont Chamber’s record of work with Québec and Canada.   

Below is a complete list of general election candidates. You can find more information on the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office to confirm which races will be on your ballot in November. The online portal makes it simple and easy to access voting information on their website. The online system allows Vermonters to update their voter registration status, request absentee ballots, and find out their polling locations.

On the Republican ballot for the U.S. Senate seat, political newcomer Gerald Malloy beat former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, who had been favored to win and was backed by powerful state and national Republican party leaders. In the closely watched race for the lone Congressional seat, State Senator from Windham County and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint overcame her lack of statewide name recognition to beat Lt. Governor Molly Gray by a 23-point margin to secure the Democratic nomination. Vermont’s Senate delegation played a crucial role in this race, with Senator Bernie Sanders endorsing Balint, and Senator Patrick Leahy supporting Gray. In the Republican primary, self-proclaimed Independent Liam Madden defeated Ericka Bundy Redic, who has since announced her intention to run in the general election as a Libertarian.

David Zuckerman won the Democratic primary to be Lieutenant Governor, with three other competitors splitting the vote of the more moderate wing of the party. State Senator and moderate Republican Joe Benning beat the far-right candidate, Gregory Thayer, for the Republican nomination. Sarah Copeland Hanzas narrowly won the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State while Charity Clark won the Democratic nomination for Attorney General by a landslide.

Other Races turned out exactly as expected. Peter Welch handily won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Patrick Leahy. Unsurprisingly, Governor Phil Scott easily secured the Republican nomination for his fourth term. Running unopposed, Brenda Siegel secured the Democratic nomination for Governor, though notably only received 55% of the votes. Mike Pieciak and Doug Hoffer also ran unopposed and secured the Democratic nominations for Treasurer and Auditor, respectively. Perennial candidate H. Brooke Paige won the Republican nominations for Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Attorney General, though he has announced his intention to decline the nominations for all but Secretary of State to focus on that race. The party has one week to name his replacement on the general election ballot.

“State to Main” is a policy-focused podcast series complementing the widely read weekly legislative newsletter of the same name.

In this episode we welcome Chris Carrigan, Vice President of Business Development for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and Julia Birnn Fields, owner of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, to discuss recent advocacy efforts on the manufacturing tax exemption.

Episodes are available to stream online via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and on the Vermont Chamber of Commerce website.

“State to Main” is made possible by our sponsor, AT&T.

While traveling in Oklahoma this week, Vermont Chamber Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force Chair and Vermont Chamber Board Member, Willie Docto, connected with Kuma Roberts, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Arrowhead Consulting.

Kuma and Willie initially met virtually in 2021, when Kuma conducted DEI training and assessments for the Vermont Chamber Board of Directors as part of the organization’s continued commitment to DEI education. She also provided training for the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, a professional development organization for all of Vermont’s chambers of commerce.

This past January, Kuma led a virtual session at the 2022 Economic Conference entitled “How Diverse is Your Universe? Recruiting Strategies to Build a Diverse Workforce” which was attended live by nearly 400 people.

It’s no surprise to all of us here in Vermont that Kuma recently received the prestigious Pinnacle Award, which honors exceptional women in Tulsa. The recognition for her DEI contributions to the business sector, and the Tulsa community, is well-earned.

Willie and his husband, Greg Trulson, co-own and operate Moose Meadow Lodge in Waterbury.