COMMUNITY DISCUSSION
COURSES
updated 04/11/2008

VEI invites you to form or join a community discussion course. The course topics are Voluntary Simplicity, Choices for Sustainable Living, Discovering a Sense of Place, Deep Ecology, Globalization and Its Critics and Healthy Children - Healthy Planet. Discussion groups are formed in workplace, faith, geographic and other communities. Participants come together for 7 or 8 sessions to discuss each session's readings. 

The first session is led by an experienced volunteer, with the successive sessions facilitated by group members. The sessions offer a fun, thought provoking way to examine values and attitudes about lifestyles and environmental concerns. Course members value the friendships and insights gained through the group discussions. The courses are also a great way to move from thought to action. Participants make personal and collective lifestyles changes that improve their quality of life and help the environment. The courses are non-judgmental and offer a supportive means for change.

Contact VEI to arrange for an introductory presentation in your community. Click on the course topics below to learn more. The courses are free. The course books are $20, except for the Global Warming course book, which is $18.  For more information about forming or joining a course call (802)  333-3664 or e-mail: vei@valley.net

VEI's discussion courses are: 

Menu for the Future

Global Warming

Voluntary Simplicity

Choices for Sustainable Living

Sense of Place

Deep Ecology

Globalization

Healthy Children, Healthy Planet

Your Money or Your Life Discussion Course


UPCOMING/ONGOING COMMUNITY DISCUSSION COURSES

updated 04/23/2008

Upcoming courses:

Wednesday, April 30th, 7-8:30pm  (potluck at 6:30) Castleton Free Library. Choices for Sustainable Living discussion course. 1st session. The course explores the meaning of sustainability and steps to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, communities, and lifestyles. Please register and pick up a book at the library and read the 1st Session (~10 pages) before the April 30th meeting. For more information contact the library at 468-5574.

Thursday, May 8th, from 6-7:00pm. City Market, Burlington. Global Warming Discussion Course, first session. This four-session course explores the science, politics, personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. Please register by contacting Leah Wittenberg at 343-1956 or veicoordinator@yahoo.com.

Monday, May 12th, 7:00 pm, Winooski Library. Vermont Earth Institute’s Choices in Sustainable Living, first of seven discussion sessions The course explores the meaning of sustainability and steps to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, communities, and lifestyles. Please register and pick up a book at the library and read the 1st Session (~10 pages) before the May 12th meeting. Call the library at 655-6424 to register or contact  VEI at veicoordinator@yahoo.com or 343-1956 for more information. In good weather this course may meet out by the river! The program is free.

Tuesday, May 27 from 6:00-7:30.  Menu for the Future will be launched at Shelburne Farms this spring, starting Tuesday,  May 27 from 6:00-7:30. This course will be pre-registered. Please contact Shelburne Farm’s Julia Penca at 985-0341

Mondays, June 16, 30 July 14, 28, Aug 11, 25, Sept 8;   7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, NH.  HEALTHY CHILDREN, HEALTHY PLANET, Discussion Group and Café In response to the growing concerns about the effects of media, advertising, and technology on children, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and  Vermont Earth Institute will sponsor a community discussion course entitled Healthy Children-Healthy Planet. This discussion course offers parents, teachers, social workers, and all those who are concerned with young people, strategies for navigating the consumer culture bombarding youth and families. Participants meet bi-weekly to discuss selected articles and consider personal choices as they relate to society as a whole.  Healthy, enjoyable food and beverages will fuel our discussion. Minimum enrollment 4- Maximum 12. cost: $25


Ongoing courses:

February 4th, 7:00pm, Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester. First of four-session discussion course on Global Warming.  The course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. For more information, to register and obtain a coursebook ($18) call the library at 879-7576

Monday, February 11th, 7-8:30pm Hanover Food Co-op Board Room.  First of four-session discussion course on Global Warming. The course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. To register and obtain the coursebook ($15) go to the Co-op Service Desk at the Hanover or Lebanon store. 

February 20th, 7:00pm, All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne, VT. First of seven-session discussion course, Healthy Children Healthy Planet. The course explores the influences of advertising, technology, and the consumer culture on our children as well as the importance of meaningful family times and healthful environments. For more information, contact 802-540-0304, veicoordinator@yahoo.com or go to www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html. 


Tuesday March 4, 7:00pm, All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne, VT.
First of seven-session discussion course, Healthy Children Healthy Planet. The course explores the influences of advertising, technology, and the consumer culture on our children as well as the importance of meaningful family times and healthful environments. For more information, contact 802-540-0304, veicoordinator@yahoo.com or go to www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.  

Tuesday, March 4, 7pm, Hartland Public Library: Global Warming Introductory Presentation This four-session course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. For more information contact Deb Hawthorn at deb.hawthorn@valley.net or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.

Tuesday, March 4, 7pm, Jaquith Library, Marshfield:  Global Warming Discussion Course This four-session course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. For more information contact Nicole DiDomenico at ndidomen@yahoo.com or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.

Friday, March 7, Brown Public Library, Northfield, 6-7:30pm.   Healthy Children Healthy Planet. Introductory Presentation. This seven-session discussion course explores the influences of advertising, technology, and the consumer culture on our children as well as the importance of meaningful family times and healthful environments. For more information, contact Nicole DiDomenico at ndidomen@yahoo.com or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.

Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 pm, Richmond Free Library: Sense of Place, Introductory Presentation. To register for this six-session community discussion course that considers the benefits of knowing and protecting our “place” contact Leah Wittenberg at veicoordinator@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, March 12, 7pm, Montshire Museum, Norwich. Choices for Sustainable Living, introductory presentation. The course will run for a total of eight Wednesdays, from March 12 through April 30. Choices for Sustainable Living explores the meaning of sustainability and steps to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, communities, and lifestyles. Participants meet weekly to discuss selected articles and consider personal and collective choices as they relate to society as a whole. The course is free; the course book anthology is $20. Contact Vermont Earth Institute at 802-333-3664, 603-643-0328, or vei@valley.net to register and learn more about the course.

Wednesday, March 19th, 7 pm, Wise Campus Center, Northfield. Global Warming, Introductory Presentation.  This four-session course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. For more information contact Nicole DiDomenico at ndidomen@yahoo.com or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.  

Monday, March 24, Exssex Free Library,  Essex.  Global Warming, Introductory Presentation. This four-session course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. For more information contact Leah Wittenberg at veicoordinator@yahoo.com or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.

Tuesday March 25, 7:00pm, Charlotte Library. Global Warming Discussion Course first session This four-session course explores the science and politics and personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. To pre-register contact Sherrie Simmons, 425-3864. For more information see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html. 

Wednesday, March 26, noon-1:30 pm  Barton Public Library, Barton. Voluntary Simplicity Discussion Course begins (and runs through May 7) This weekly, seven-session community discussion course explores issues of time, money, too much stuff, and how to live more simply. The course is free.  Please register and pick up a book at the library and read the 1st Session (10 pages) before the March 26th meeting. For more information, contact the library at 802-525-6524 or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html.

Thursday, March 27, 7-8:30pm, Glover Public Library, Glover. Voluntary Simplicity Discussion Course begins (and runs through May 8) This weekly, seven-session community discussion course explores issues of time, money, too much stuff, and how to live more simply. The course is free.  Please register and pick up a book at the library and read the 1st Session (10 pages) before the March 27th meeting. For more information, contact the library at 802-525-4365 or see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html. 

Sunday, March 30th –May 4, 4- 5:30pm, Enfield Shaker Museum.  Discovering a Sense of Place discussion course. To register for this seven-session community discussion course that considers the benefits of knowing and protecting our “place” contact the Enfield Shaker Museum at (603) 632-4346 or info@shakermuseum.org. Please obtain a coursebook ($20) from the museum and read the first session for the March 30th gathering. For more information contact VEI course coordinator and museum trustee Barbara Woods at 802-345-4202 or woods.barbara@hotmail.com. 

Sunday, March 30th –May 4, 4- 5:30pm, Enfield Shaker Museum.  Discovering a Sense of Place discussion course. To register for this seven-session community discussion course that considers the benefits of knowing and protecting our “place” contact the Enfield Shaker Museum at (603) 632-4346 or info@shakermuseum.org. Please obtain a coursebook ($20) from the museum and read the first session for the March 30th gathering. For more information contact VEI course coordinator and museum trustee Barbara Woods at 802-345-4202 or woods.barbara@hotmail.com. 

Monday, April 21, 1:30-3:30pm, The Fells. Choices for Sustainable Living discussion course. 1st session Sponsored by Colby Sawyer’s Adventures in Learning program The course explores the meaning of sustainability and steps to move toward ecologically sustainable organizations, communities, and lifestyles Registration is closed. The course is full.

Tuesday, April 22 –May 6,  7-8:30 pm, Fairlee Public Library. Global Warming Discussion Course, first session. This four-session course explores the science, politics, personal values and habits related to climate change – and our individual and collective will and ability to respond. Please register and pick up a book at the library and read the 1st Session (10 pages) before the April 22nd meeting. For more information see www.vtearthinstitute.org/programs/html or contact VEI at 802-333-3664.

updated 04/23/2008

Contact VEI at vei@valley.net if you would like to start a discussion course or host an Eco-Party for your friends and neighbors on waste reduction and energy conservation. They’re fun!

To start a course in your area contact:

Brattleboro:        Maria Echevarría              257-5609        mbechevarria@hotmail.com
Burlington:          Leah Wittenberg              343-1956         veicoordinator@yahoo.com
Montpelier:         Nicole DiDomenico           279-2371          ndidomen@yahoo.com
Rutland:               Mike O’Brien                    438-6170         skyobrien@adelphia.net
Statewide:           Barbara Duncan               333-3664         vei@valley.net
Upper Valley:     Deborah Hawthorn          436-18181        deb.hawthorn@valley.net