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What Are Communities of Purpose? The State of Vermont has long upheld the proud traditions of local involvement and community spirit. Such ideals are born from the small size and rural character of most towns throughout the state, and sustained by the bonds of communal economy, tradition, and culture. The schools of the Vermont Rural Partnership (VRP) uphold these values, continually emphasizing the importance of the Vermont student’s sense of place. With an articulated “Community of Purpose,” a symbiotic sustainability flourishes between school and community: the community collaborates with teaching and administrative staff to define and direct the school’s growth. Everyone’s voice is heard and carries weight. The vision for the school is a composite crafted from the ideas and priorities of the group. The vision springs from connectivity and dialogue: from the principal, from the town elders, from the parents, and from the students. It is in that sense of true and universal collaboration from which the vision of the school, and its role in the community, draws its strength.The goal for establishing a clear Community of Purpose is the kind of sustained positive change that can’t happen in a vacuum, or with the support of only a few proponents. Too often, the opportunity for just this kind of community-wide reform is lost when a single site leader can’t sustain the project. Effective long-term positive change can only come about with the support of community members. This support ensures that the Community of Purpose is more than just a theory; it is a collaborative reality that only serves to promote the principles of the Vermont Rural Partnership at the heart of the communities it tries to reach. |
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