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COMMUNITY HOSTS

WHAT IS YOUR VERMONT STORY?

Whether you have generations of family from the Green Mountains, or simply have chosen to live here and now call Vermont "home", you are a Vermonter. And any enthusiastic Vermonters who are looking to welcome other potential neighbors settle in are welcome to join the Welcome Wagon. 

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Simply put, our Community Hosts are members of the local town or surrounding area who can answer questions, share recommendations, and be a friendly name or face. ​

SHARE WITH NEW AND RETURNING VERMONTERS

Give them a sense of what life in Vermont can be like. We are hopeful that by attracting and retaining new folks we can continue the march of progress that is part of how this Brave Little State defines itself. Our Hosts are building a diverse, inclusive network of community members that have volunteered to support Vermont's growth. Our hypothesis is that if you can help people get connected and integrated in to the community in meaningful ways faster, we will be able to better retain great people and talent in our state. 

VOLUNTEER

Fill out this form with some info about yourself, including your region and interests. Are you part of an organization, or a broader network of folks? Fantastic! When a participant fills out our form, we will reach out to our community of Hosts to get this person or family connected to neighbors or local organizations. Each newsletter includes short bios of new, local VT'ers as well as different opportunities to meet up -- upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and family activities! 

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There are official Welcome Wagon chapters in: 

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Regional Programs welcoming New Vermonters and providing local support services that partner with the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project are also available in the areas listed below:

EXPECTATIONS

Give a warm welcome. 

Share a quick introduction of yourself, or how you found this place to be "home". What interests do you share? Are your families or professions similar? We'll connect you first via email, and then it's your turn to share a warm welcome to a New Vermonter. 

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Be a resource.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” so we aim for the Welcome Wagon to share knowledge, resources, and explain the quirks that make our little state so special. As a host, if you cannot dedicate an hour here or there during the year to meet someone new over coffee or for a walk, we ask that you are responsive via email to the questions they may have as they settle in. Questions we often see include: 

  • Where are good dog walking areas?

  • What family resources exist in our town?

  • Why do small businesses use Facebook so much?

  • Are there car-sharing programs?

  • Is there public transportation to get from here to there?

  • How do people find out about events?

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Spend time with those new to Vermont.

Have them over for dinner, go for a hike, invite them to a coffee shop, or include them in your regular card game/ultimate frisbee match/whatever. Exchange your Vermont stories, and explain how you find community. Even one visit can make someone new feel welcome, and give them a better picture of what life in Vermont is and can be. 

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Attend the occasional Chapter event. 

Our official Welcome Wagon Chapters host events periodically to create a low-stress environment for hosts, community members, and local leaders to meet and greet New Vermonters. This is a great option for Hosts to meet the network, welcome newcomers, and build community - which is what the VWWP is all about!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All adult humans are invited to participate! We believe diversity is fundamental to a strong and vibrant Vermont. By intention and design, our program welcomes all people to participate. We respect and affirm the dignity of each member of the community.

© 2025 Vermont Welcome Wagon Project

DISCLAIMER
Because we do not supervise or control the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project (VWWP) interactions, and because we are not involved in any way with physical transportation to or from host/participant meetings or with the actions of any individuals at host/participant meetings, and because we cannot guarantee the true identity, age, nationality of VWWP users, and because we have very limited control, if any, over the quality, safety, morality, legality, truthfulness or accuracy of various aspects of VWWP users, you agree that you bear all risk and you agree to release us (and our officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, and third party partners) from claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, now and in the future, arising out of or in any way connected with your use of VWWP, our resolution of any disputes among users, and/or your transportation to or from, attendance at, or the actions of you or other persons at, a VWWP meet up. You further waive any and all rights and benefits otherwise conferred by any statutory or non-statutory law of any jurisdiction that would purport to limit the scope of a release or waiver. 

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