MRV Community Dashboard

1. Develop Framework (Summer/Fall 2020): The MRV Community Dashboard Advisory Committee was created in summer 2020, consisting of three MRVPD Steering Committee members and three “community connectors.” The Committee worked with MRVPD staff to develop a framework for the Dashboard based on current town plans, MRVPD MOU data requirements, similar community indicator projects, and recent MRV visioning efforts.
2. Identify Indicators (Fall/Winter 2020): The Advisory Committee conducted stakeholder outreach through December 2020 to solicit feedback on the Dashboard Framework and identify new indicators.
3. Data Collection (Winter 2021): Beginning in January 2021, MRVPD staff will collect the most recent indicator data from town, regional, state, and federal data sources. Staff, with Advisory Committee assistance, will also develop and distribute a MRV Wellbeing Survey to collect new indicator data.
4. Data Communication & Engagement (Spring 2021): MRVPD staff will develop a digital data dashboard site to share annual local data in a new, engaging format. Staff will work to assist local partners in incorporating indicator data into their work. Recognizing ongoing changes in community needs and priorities, indicators will be periodically evaluated through public and stakeholder engagement.

1. The towns of Warren, Waitsfield & Fayston are a socially, economically, ecologically, and geographically connected community;
2. Change is a constant, and the MRV is a dynamic community facing ongoing challenges, disruptions, and opportunities;
3. MRV-wide vision & goals are tools for articulating its future and guiding how it should approach change;
4. Community members are best positioned to define the future they want to see;
5. Indicators are needed to understand and track progress toward shared goals;
6. Data must be incorporated into decision-making to make positive change.

Purpose

To support the MRV in working toward its shared vision, the MRV Community Dashboard Advisory Committee will lead the development of the Community Dashboard framework and updated indicators. Specifically, the Advisory Committee will conduct research and stakeholder outreach to produce a framework based on existing town work and visions. The Advisory Committee and MRVPD staff are dedicated to creating an inclusive, respectful, and productive process.

While MRVPD is spearheading the Community Dashboard project, the Advisory Committee will lead the framework and indicator development as a separate, though connected, piece of the overall project to ensure that they are driven and owned by the community.

Members

• Brian Voigt (Co-Chair), Waitsfield
• Helen Kellogg (Co-Chair), Waitsfield
• Dan Raddock, Warren
• Lindsey Vandal, Waitsfield
• Jared Cadwell, Fayston
• Laura Brines, Waitsfield

Minutes & Agendas

Can be found here.

Purpose

• To improve overall wellbeing and resilience in the MRV by supporting the ability of community members and decision-makers to review and incorporate local data. The best data is data that is used. The Community Dashboard builds on MRVPD's Annual Data Report to improve the accessibility and usability of local data so that it is straight forward, easy to understand, and incorporated into decision-making.  As a connected three-town community, we are strongest when we work together and share a base of understanding.

Process (see Project Timeline above)

• Convene Advisory Committee to develop Dashboard framework based on existing town plans and visions. The MRV Community Dashboard Advisory Committee was created in summer 2020, consisting of three MRVPD Steering Committee members and three "community connectors." Following a period of on-boarding and refining the scope and goals of the Community Dashboard project, the Committee worked with MRVPD staff to develop a framework for the Dashboard. This framework is based on on the goals listed in current MRV town plans, MRVPD MOU data requirements, similar community indicator projects, and recent MRV visioning efforts.
• Work with local stakeholders to identify leading MRV indicators. With a well-researched framework to highlight gaps in current data collection, the Advisory Committee reached out to local stakeholders and community members to solicit feedback on the Dashboard framework and identify new indicators. MRVPD staff will collect the most recent indicator data from town, regional, state, and federal data sources. Staff, with Advisory Committee assistance, will also develop and distribute a MRV Wellbeing Survey to collect new qualitative indicator data (to be distributed Winter 2021).
• Create an online dashboard to effectively communicate data. MRVPD staff will develop a digital data dashboard site to share annual local data in a new, engaging format. Staff will work to assist local partners in incorporating indicator data into their work. Recognizing ongoing changes in community needs and priorities, indicators will be periodically evaluated through public and stakeholder engagement.

Product

• Strengthened relationships & communication networks. There's a lot of talk about "data" here, but at the core of the Community Dashboard is the strengthening of community capital and resilience. Circling back to our purpose, we are strongest when we work together. The Community Dashboard is not 'just another report on the shelf.' It is a living, iterative process in which we can continually monitor our progress (or lack thereof) in order to more effectively communicate, collaborate, and act.
• An interactive online tool that increases the accessibility and usability of local data. The dashboard tool will help to make local data accessible to everyone, from second homeowners seeking to learn more about the MRV to municipal officials looking to inform new policies. In addition to informed decision-making, this data also provides an accountability mechanism for those interested in evaluating the impact of their work in the MRV.