The four Rutland County residents behind the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion, a grassroots effort to reinforce the message that Vermont is a safe and welcoming place for all, have been named recipients of the Vermont Community Leadership Award by the Vermont Council on Rural Development.
Norm Cohen of Rutland City, Bob Harnish of Pittsford, Barbara Noyes Pulling of Rutland Town and Al Wakefield of Mendon will be presented with their award Aug. 15 at the 2023 Vermont Community Leadership Summit at Vermont State University's Randolph campus.
The annual award celebrates Vermonters who exemplify “dedication, integrity and honorable service to community and to rural Vermont” and who have had a “transformational” effect on their communities.
“It is an honor to recognize this tremendous group of community leaders who are using their skill and talent to build a stronger future for all of us here in Vermont,” said Brian Lowe, executive director at VCRD. “This is a group of people working selflessly and with great humor in communities across our state.”
Initially conceived by Harnish and Wakefield in 2020, the Declaration of Inclusion has been adopted by 116 communities as of July 25.