Most (all?) UV town Listservs shutting down 8/21/26
Quite the surprise, and very soon. This area kind of runs on these, and I'm interested to know why Vital Communities decided to do this with just two days notice.
PLEASE READ - Important update on town-based listservs From: vitalcommunities.org
Dear subscribers of the (town) Listserv,
We are writing to let you know that Vital Communities will be sunsetting all of the town-based community listservs, including this one, later this week. No further posts will be accepted to the (town) Listserv after 8pm on Friday, 8/21. Vital Communities will continue to operate the Upper Valley-wide and topic-specific lists.
There is an opportunity to continue town-based community connection online, without gaps, through Vermont-based Front Porch Forum. We will share more information on that option below, including how to join your local forum.
The listservs were created several decades ago to build connections and share opportunities, questions, and resources at the community level. The objectives for the lists have not changed over the years, but the environment in which the listservs operate has evolved significantly.
Over the last few months, Vital Communities has reflected on whether there are adaptations we could make to the listservs to meet the current environment with our available resources. Ultimately, we have realized that the town-based listservs have outgrown the level of support and expertise that Vital Communities can provide. It is time for Vital Communities to step back and recognize that there are now other entities with the right expertise, experience, and resources that provide these services in the Upper Valley, and that will give the listservs space to continue growing, thriving, and evolving.
Critically, Front Porch Forum, a Vermont -based public benefit company with a mission to help neighbors connect and build community, already offers their forums (listservs to us) across the entire Upper Valley region - now including all New Hampshire Upper Valley towns. Front Porch Forum is ready to pick up the thread of connection and conversation from the listservs, and to welcome subscribers and communities at https://frontporchforum.com. They also offer town-by-town community calendars and business directories that are networked together to give both a local and a regional view.
If you are not already familiar with Front Porch Forum, you can learn more about it and sign up for a free account at frontporchforum.com We are excited about the continuity that Front Porch Forum offers and encourage listserv subscribers to explore their town-based forums.
One important note: Vital Communities is not going to move our town-based subscriber lists to Front Porch Forum automatically. Each subscriber will need to sign themselves up for a Front Porch Forum account at frontporchforum.com. There is an online help center at help.frontporchforum.com with support from real people if you have questions or challenges signing up. Vital Communities is also here to provide support with the changes ahead.
We offer huge thanks to the current and past list managers for their many years of volunteer service connecting and supporting your community through celebrations, challenges, and transitions. This listserv would not have been possible without their collective support.
Ellen Hender, Stacy Brown & the Vital Communities team, White River Junction