Common Ground
Chittenden, Vermont - May 2nd
A gathering of leaders from every corner of Vermont, united by passion for our local communities and belief that cascades of small, tangible actions can drive lasting positive impact.
Venue
The Common Ground Summit will be held at the Mountain Top Resort in the town of Chittenden, Vermont.
The Green Mountains will provide the backdrop for Common Ground 2025. Mountain Top Resort delivers the rolling forests and sweeping views promised in its name, with beautiful grounds and walking trails aplenty.
If you want to make a weekend of it and stay a night or two, Mountain Top Resort is offering a 25% discount code for Common Ground attendees who choose to stay post-summit.
You can also check out Mountain Top HERE for more information.
Map
Use this map for reference getting to the event.
The summit will take place in the Event Barn.
If traveling North on Mountain Top Road parking will be to your left. If you pass the Main lodge on your right, you have gone too far.
If traveling South on Mountain Top Road the Main Lodge will be on your left with the parking lot to the right.
If traveling South on Mountain Spring Road, you will make a right onto Mountain Top Road. The Main Lodge will be on your left with the parking lot to the right.
*If the Main Parking Lot becomes full, please park in the Backup Parking Lot on Mountain Spring Road and a shuttle will take you to the Main Lodge.
Agenda
May 2nd
Opening Notes and Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Over coffee and breakfast, we’ll start the day with a warm introduction by our Community Director, Kora Skeele. This is our time to slow down and reflect on why we’re here: to connect local efforts, share what’s working, uncover what’s missing and coordinate to reimagine the systems our Vermont communities need.
Campfire Discussions
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Small group conversations, big ideas. These guided “campfire” circles are a chance to share personal stories, surface challenges, and learn from each other’s work. Come prepared to discuss with a small breakout group.
- What are you working on?
- Why are you working on it?
- What is working?
- What is not working?
Trail Walks
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Think of this time as the ultimate walking meeting—but with fresh company and a view. You’ll be intentionally matched with another leader for a stroll across the property, giving you time to get to know each other one-on-one outside of the group setting.
Lunch
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Refuel post-trail walk for a shared, buffet-style meal and continued conversation.
The Unconference
1:15 pm - 3:00 pm
In this collaborative, choose-your-own-adventure session, we’ll reflect on the morning and consider where we go from here. Community leaders will guide the conversation, sharing their experiences and engaging the room in conversation about the way things are and the way things could be. Bring a question, an idea, or just your curiosity. This is not a panel discussion, but an opportunity to work with your very own Vermont braintrust in a unique setting built for problem solving.
Common Ground Keynote
3:00 pm - 4:45 pm
During his keynote address, Shock Founder Saul Costa will encourage us to zoom out and focus on the big picture, rethinking what is possible outside of the systems that be. Come prepared to challenge the status quo and think about the power of community through the lens of technology.
Evening Social
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us for a casual evening hang to unwind with friends and celebrate the day. Grab a drink and enjoy some music and small bites before gathering around the fire pits for s’mores. Feel free to stroll the grounds and soak up the May evening after a cold, old-fashioned Vermont winter. Think warm thoughts–May snow is never out of the question!
What to expect
Common Ground won’t be your traditional conference. Instead, we’ll work together to explore a question: “How do we make it easy to do good?” It’ll be a day of focused discussions, attendee spotlights, and guided brainstorms with fellow Vermonters committed to our state’s future.
During the keynote, we’ll home in on Bee, the app that’s brought us all together. Expect interactive demonstrations, example use cases, and Q&A concerning Bee’s role in Vermont communities.
The evening will offer a chance to get to know each other even better when we invite attendees to gather around the fire pit or stroll the grounds and soak up the May evening after a cold, old-fashioned Vermont winter. Think warm thoughts – May snow is never out of the question!
Bring your ideas, your experience, and your willingness to build something meaningful to Common Ground.
We’re excited to see you in May!
Please fill out the RSVP form by April 15th