Press Release

 Vermont Truth and Reconciliation Commission Selection Panel Accepting Applications for Commissioner

 February 6, 2023

Contact:          Vanessa Santos Eugenio or Karen Tronsgard-Scott

TRCVT@vtnetwork.org

Summary

In 2022 Vermont enacted Act 128 which establishes a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  The TRC is responsible for documenting and making recommendations regarding instances of discrimination and harm caused by State laws and/or policies to specific marginalized communities in Vermont.  The Commission will be comprised of three (3) Commissioners charged with implementing a truth and reconciliation process and making recommendations to the State.  The Commissioner position commences on April 2, 2023 and ends on June 30, 2026.  A panel of citizens named to select the three commissioners is now accepting applications. People from marginalized communities, especially those named in Act 128, are encouraged to apply.  Act 128 names the following individuals and communities:  Native American or Indigenous; individuals with physical, psychiatric or mental conditions or disability and the families of individuals with a physical, psychiatric or mental health condition or disability; Black individuals and other individuals of color; individuals with French Canadian, French-Indian or other mixed ethnic or racial heritage; and other populations and communities at the discretion of Commissioners.

Details

The State of Vermont will hire three Commissioners who are charged with achieving the goals of Act 128.  Act 128 is a Vermont law that establishes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  This Commission will implement a plan for listening to and documenting the stories of Vermonters who have been discriminated against by State laws and policies and will make recommendations to the state on appropriate actions.  This discrimination can be historical or present today.

The three Commissioners will be provided a budget to set up an office, hire staff, and engage consultants to achieve the goals of Act 128.

Three Commissioners will be hired and start working on April 1, 2023, or as soon thereafter as possible.  The Commissioners will be State employees with paid time off, benefits, and an annual salary of $80,000.  The Commissioner position ends on June 30, 2026.

People who are interested in applying can send an email to TRCVT@vtnetwork.org to be provided with a position description and qualifications.  The application deadline is March 3, 2023.  Work to select the three Commissioners will begin on March 6, 2023.

For information on specific qualifications and duties or requests regarding accessibility, contact: Vanessa Santos Eugenio or Karen Tronsgard-Scott at TRCVT@vtnetwork.org.

###