Annual Report 2017 Letter from the Director
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Annual Report 2017 Letter from the Director “Vermont Fights Back” was on doors throughout the state. and corporate greed are being essentially our motto for 2017. They visited every community rolled back in Washington, I’m The year began with the largest and recruited members in every grateful for the opportunity to public rally in recent Vermont legislative district. press for state-based progress history (the Women’s March) right here. No, this work isn’t the on the steps of the State House, Our canvassers had tens of complete answer to the mess in one day after the presidential thousands of conversations, DC, but it can provide a model inauguration. and in each one they talked for the future that also benefits about how our shared values Vermonters right away. Ten months later, VPIRG co- were under attack by the Trump hosted the Crossroads Conference administration and Congress. We didn’t go looking for this fight, in Burlington – a gathering More importantly, they made clear but thanks for helping us be part of hundreds of Vermonters that VPIRG was fighting back. of it. committed to charting a path to progress on issues as diverse as One canvasser told me that she Paul Burns clean water, family leave, climate couldn’t imagine doing anything change and racial justice. more important during the summer of 2017. And I think that was a In between, we ran the largest common feeling among her peers. summer canvass campaign in VPIRG’s history. We had more I know that as protections against than 100 canvassers knocking climate change, toxic pollution Contact Phone 802-223-5221 Vermont Public Interest Fax 802-223-6855 Research Group Email [email protected] 141 Main Street, Suite 6 Montpelier VT 05602 Web www.vpirg.org Twitter @vpirg Facebook facebook.com/vpirg 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 In 2017, “Vermont Fights Back” became VPIRG’s animating theme. Our staff, allies and 50,000+ members and supporters put everything we had into fighting back against the outrageous attacks on our people and environment coming from D.C. and demonstrating that a different way is possible. About VPIRG and VPIREF Founded in 1972, the Vermont VPIRG established the Vermont democracy. The common mission Public Interest Research Group Public Interest Research and of VPIRG and VPIREF is to (VPIRG) is the largest nonprofit Education Fund (VPIREF) in promote and protect the health of consumer and environmental 1975 as its 501(c)3 outreach and Vermont’s people, environment advocacy organization in the state. education arm in order to conduct and locally based economy by As a 501(c)4 nonprofit advocacy independent research and public informing and mobilizing citizens group, VPIRG conducts non- education on the range of issues statewide. VPIRG advocates partisan public interest advocacy on which we work. Donations to and organizers use independent in support of priority public VPIREF are tax deductible. research, policy analysis, interest issues and campaigns public outreach and grassroots and seeks legislative and policy For 45 years, we have brought mobilization to design and solutions affecting Vermonters. the voice of Vermont citizens to implement effective strategies for Donations to VPIRG are not tax public policy debates concerning each of our campaigns. deductible. the environment, health care, consumer protection and Table of Contents GOVERNMENT REFORM ECONOMIC FAIRNESS MEMBERSHIP 2017 A Year of Fighting 4 Economic Fairness is in 12 Powered by You: 16 Back the Public Interest Our 2017 Finances by the Numbers CLIMATE CHANGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Strength in Numbers: 17 Actions Before Words: 7 2017 Accomplishments 13 Recognizing Our Supporters Holding the Scott Supporters 18 Administration Accountable ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PUBLIC INTEREST An Adequate Response: 10 45 Years Defending the 14 Pushing for Stronger Toxic Public Interest Chemical Reforms ANNUAL REPORT 2017 3 A YEAR OF 2017 FIGHTING BACK On January 21, 2017, more than on a per-capita basis. The march VERMONTERS WOULD VPIRG’s animating theme. Our 15,000 people gathered on the attendance itself was twice as NOT BE BACKING staff, allies and 50,000+ members State House lawn for the Vermont large as its host city’s population. DOWN WITH OUR and supporters put everything we Women’s March to emphatically had into fighting back against the VPIRG did not organize that RIGHTS, HEALTH, demonstrate their opposition to the outrageous attacks on our people march but many of our staff and ENVIRONMENT AND promised attacks on our people and environment coming from a great many of our members did FUTURE ON THE LINE. and environment from the newly D.C. and demonstrating that a attend that historic event and we inaugurated administration in It was clear that while corporate different way is possible. all looked on in amazement at the Washington, D.C. lobbyists, Wall Street executives energy and passion on display. and climate deniers were gaining The Vermont march was truly That day we became certain power in Washington, D.C., they something to behold. It wasn’t the of something we had already were not in charge here. largest individual march that day expected: by sheer numbers, but it almost Vermonters were ready to fight certainly had to be the largest back. And in 2017, that became IT WAS NOT “Vermont Fights Back” campaign JUST A MOMENT focused on the need for state-level – IT WAS A leadership and action at a time MOVEMENT. when the attacks coming from VPIRG has been working to the Trump Administration and protect and promote the health Congress are seemingly endless. and wellbeing of Vermont’s We believe that Vermont can stand people, environment and locally up and hold the line against all the based economy for more than backsliding we’re seeing at the 45 years. But 2017 brought with federal level. Better yet, we know it a new sense of urgency and that Vermont can be a beacon in had our organization grappling these dark and difficult times by with what it means to be a building real solutions to combat public interest organization in the attacks on our people and an era of unprecedented threats environment and instead chart a On January 21, 2017 more than positive course for our state. 15,000 Vermonters gathered coming from our nation’s on the State House lawn for the capital - egregious ethical The good news is that the Vermont Women’s March. Many conflicts, massive cuts to social Women’s March was only a VPIRG staff attended that day and environmental programs, (that’s our Associate Director Liz preview of Vermonters’ tenacity rollbacks of fundamental climate Edsell!) and the takeaway was and fight-back spirit. January 21st, clear: Vermonters were ready to and consumer protections, 2017, was not just a moment – it fight back to protect our people undermining of our democratic was a movement. and environment from the processes, and so much more. outrageous attacks coming from Washington, D.C. That’s why VPIRG launched the 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 GOVERNMENT REFORM Building the Fight- VPIRG’S MOST SUCCESSFUL CANVASS BY THE NUMBERS Back Movement SUMMER STAFF FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS PETITIONS 100+ OF VFB CAMPAIGN 24,982 One Door at a Time 19,662 The 2017 VPIRG Summer DOORS KNOCKED CAMPING TRIPS NEW MEMBERS Canvass took the Vermont Fights 114,148 37 4,800+ Back message to tens of thousands of doorsteps across the state, CONVERSATIONS HELD PHOTO PETITIONS TOTAL VPIRG SUPPORTERS + organizing Vermonters around 42,695 1,571 50,000 the idea that we can’t take these outrageous attacks on our people, planet and values coming from head on, regardless of who is in that our state leaders pursue bold heading out to turf; the optimism D.C. – we must stand up and fight the White House, Capitol Hill, or policies to move our state forward. of what the future will hold when back with purpose. Vermont’s own State House. huddled around a campfire with Some of the successes of the friends; the thrill of biking up a The result? The most successful Over the course of four months, summer canvass simply cannot huge hill, then soaring down it; the summer canvass in our 45+ year our team of 100+ canvassers be quantified: the organizing, fulfillment in building community history. In talking to Vermonters in spoke with Vermonters in every campaigning, and leadership skills and making an impact in Vermont every Vermont town, our canvass single town in Vermont – 40,000+ that our canvassers honed over the – and the world. team discovered that people conversations in total. And in town summer; the energy of nearly one all over the state are ready and after town, we found all kinds hundred dedicated and enthusiastic willing to tackle these challenges of Vermonters ready to demand staffers all under one roof before Fight Back Forums Following the wake of Fight investigate what fighting back influence Vermont to make it a Back momentum and grassroots means to Vermonters: dive deeper place that reflects our values,” said energy generated by the summer into the key policies that will Christina Fornaciari, VPIRG’s canvass, VPIRG field organizers move our state forward; and equip lead organizer for the Fight Back and advocates organized Fight VPIRG members with important Forum series. “It’s so easy to Back Forums in more than a civic skills to effect change, with wallow in all the bad news, but we dozen communities across the trainings on how to effectively can’t be paralyzed. We have the state in 2017. lobby legislators, organize in opportunity to seize this difficult communities and use social media political moment and use it as a At each of these forums, VPIRG as a tool for democracy.