Spreading the invitation to all – celebrate the New Year with a Jan 1 group snowshoe hike in Groton State Forest.

(But first, some business:)

Consider an end of year donation to Cross Vermont Trail Association.

Imagine a four season, family friendly greenway – linking trails across Vermont – for alternative transportation from home to school, for daily healthy activity, for enjoyment of our natural heritage. Your end of year donation will go right to work building the next section of trail (well, as soon as the ground thaws . . . ). Go to www.crossvermont.org for secure online payment, or to print out a regular mail donation form. And thanks!

And then – FIRST DAY HIKE:
Start the new year in the fresh air with a family friendly hike at Ricker Pond in Groton State Forest. Cross Vermont Trail Association will guide the 2 hour long easy walk. We’ll look for animal tracks in the snow, listen for boreal birds in the woods, and discover the outlets of Ricker Pond and Lake Groton. Meet 10 AM at the Ricker Pond Access parking lot – on Rte 232 about 1.5 miles north of Rte 302. Bring water and snack, snowshoes and clothes for the weather. Call 498-0079 with any questions, or go to www.crossvermont.org. (And to learn about additional “first day hikes” go to www.vtstateparks.com.)

what: easy going, exploration, snowshoe hike on New Years Day morning
where: Ricker Pond in Groton.
who: all are welcome to this easy two hour hike led by CVTA
when: Jan 1, 10 AM to Noon

Greg
Cross Vermont Trail Association

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Income

The number of financially stable individuals in communities increases.

1. The number of families achieving and sustaining employment and stable housing increases
2. Individuals increase their financial capability to manage finances, reduce debt, build savings and assets to avoid financial crisis
3. Individuals receive the income supports that are available to them

Health

The percent of adults and youth who are obese or overweight decreases to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease.

1. Individuals have access to healthy, affordable foods to increase the number of people eating healthily in communities.
2. Individuals have access to physical activity opportunities to increase the number of people who are physically active in communities
3. Individuals have knowledge of healthy food and physical activity options

Education

Children ages 0-6 enter school ready to succeed with a foundation to help them develop to their fullest potential

1. The number of children ages 0-6 have quality child care programs available to them.
2. The rate of child abuse and neglect decreases.
3. Families receive support to create nurturing and stable learning environments at home

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From the Executive Director

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. I have been at community meal sites and have heard people say how thankful they are for the food that is being given to them for just that one meal. When I think of my own household, there is enough for meals for that day, the next and many more. No matter how much we have, this is the time to stop and think of all our blessings. It is probably especially good that the calendar provides for a season of hope that follows so closely after Thanksgiving.

If you are fortunate to have your needs met plus a little more, please consider giving a little of what you have to Green Mountain United Way so that we can help others who want the same basic things we do. They need food on their tables, a safe and warm place to live, people they care about and people who care about them. Our hopes are all the same and you can make the hopes of others come true.

Call us at 802-229-9532 for more information and to arrange for your contribution. Or, visit our website at www.gmunitedway.org where you can donate online.

—–Nancy Zorn

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Upcoming Vermont environmental, health and safety seminars from various providers:

SAFETY & HEALTH:

Vermont Forklift Train the Trainer Class

RUTLAND, Asa Bloomer State Office Building, Room 266, Thursday, Dec 19, 8:30-3:00. 

WILLISTON, VTC Blair Park, Room 401, Thursday, Jan 9, 8:30-3:00

PLATTSBURGH (NY), North Country Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, Feb 11, 8:00-2:30.  Did you know that (V)OSHA requires that all Fork Truck operators be trained by a “qualified person”?  This forklift training is designed for powered lift truck operators in manufacturing, construction and retail.  A complete overview of 29 CFR 1910.178 (V)OSHA standards will be followed with a discussion on load balance, characteristics and truck components, engineering design, fueling, and fundamentals of operation, with a hands on forklift safety inspection.  This course is primarily a train-the-trainer seminar, and can be used to fulfill the classroom component of (V)OSHA requirements. Valuable handouts and lunch included.  Registration is $150 per person, contact Bruce Gray at Landrock@verizon.net or 518-562-1462.

Green Mountain Safety Consulting, L.L.C. – In Alliance with the Hickok & Boardman Network of Companies –Burlington offices

To register or for more information go to: www.greenmountainsafety.com/seminardates.html or email: kodonnell@hbinsurance.com or call or (802) 862-1399

January 8;  Feb. 5,13, & 28 2014 – Adult/ Child CPR & AED , Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Associated General Contractors of Vermont, Montpelier.

VT SafeyNet Inc with First Aid American Heart Association certification cards given at class conclusion

SAVE THE DATE for the 2014 Worksite Wellness Conference, March 27, 2014, in Burlington, VT.   Conference info. will be posted at: http://vermontfitness.org/

AND

SAVE THE DATE for the 12th Annual Vermont Workplace Safety Conference & Governor’s Awards – May 16, 2014, 9am – 3:30 pm, DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center, Burlington. An Excellent professional development opportunity for HR staff and employees with safety responsibilities. Topics include: Total Worker Health; a Return-To-Work Business Success Stories Panel; How to do a Functional Job Description; OSHA Updates, a Technology in Safety panel and the Governors’ Safety Awards. Sponsored by the Vermont Safety & Health Council, and the Vermont Small Business Development Center. Registration will be posted at: http://www.vtsbdc.org/small-business-training-workshops/workplace-safety.

FIND Vermont Safety seminars at: www.vshc.org events calendar (the Vermont Safety & Health Council, is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting workplace safety education, and is a great resource for anyone with safety in their job description. Your company should be a member!)

ENVIRONMENTAL: 

January 23, 2014 – HAZWOPER Refresher training, Burlington, Associated General Contractors of Vermont.  Registration and more info. at: 223-2374, or email: rjw@agcvt.org

Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. 

The awards recognize the actions taken by individuals and organizations to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promoted sustainability.  Application due date:  January 27, 2014.  For more detail see: http://www.eaovt.org/gap/index.htm

HAZARDOUS WASTE & Hazardous MATerials TRAINING, Cerberus EHS Seminars – Meeting RCRA, OSHA, and US DOT Training Requirements, For more information contact: vermont8@hotmail.com or call: (802) 321-9005

Peter Crawford
Environmental & Regulatory Assistance Program, Director
Vermont Small Business Development Center
PO Box 188
Randolph Center, Vermont 05061
802-728-1423
Fax. 802-728-3026
www.vtsbdc.org/regulatory.cfm
Vermont Business Environmental Partnership program: www.vbep.org – We Can Help Green Up Your Bottom LIne!  Green Hotels program: www.vtgreenhotels.org
Reduce Enviromental Compliance Risks of your business operations by using the Free VT-DEC & VtSBDC on-line VT hazardous waste tutorial @ www.vtceg.org   

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The special interim Property Tax Exemption Study Committee has draft legislation that would make statutory changes to property tax exemptions for certain nonprofits.

The hearing will be held in the State House on Monday, December 16th at 1:00 pm in Room 11.  Written testimony is accepted to accommodate those who cannot attend the hearing. Read More.

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