Minutes from September 3 Meeting

Big Tent Meeting Minutes  

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Universalist Unitarian Meeting House

St. Johnsbury, Vermont

• Welcome!  

• Reading - From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK)  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' Also from MLK, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.”

• Paired Share

• Guest Speaker: Amanda Cochrane, Director of Umbrella:

She distributed a sign-up sheet for Indivisible members to subscribe to the Umbrella newsletter. If you missed it, submit your email to Umbrella. She explained that Umbrella will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. She highlighted the programs within Umbrella, including Advocacy, Family Based Services, and Social Change. She encouraged Indivisible members to consider volunteering for Umbrella. 

She also discussed the current federal landscape, which includes uncertainty related to current and future federal grants. However, so far, funds have not been rescinded because the courts have intervened. She also discussed how careful planning and the community's efforts have ensured the funding. The concern is that one Executive Order contains language that considers program costs related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and costs related to raising awareness about how violence is a community and cultural issue as “unallowable” in federal grants. 

Amanda explained that Umbrella is a non-profit member program of both the Vermont Network for Domestic and Sexual Violence and the national network as well. 

Volunteers are provided extensive training through Umbrella, and the volunteer determines the time commitment.

• One Million Rising update - One group leader provided some reflections on the One Million Rising gathering that she facilitated this week with seven attendees. The focus was “Joy is an Act of Resistance.” She also discussed how sunflowers have become the symbol of hope and resistance for Ukraine. She discussed how the group reviewed the Pillars of Support of the authoritarian regime and identified a few more, including arts, philanthropy, entertainment and the media. This gathering centered on engaging with others in various ways. Another leader reflected that this gathering allowed the members to get to know one another better through the activities. Others were encouraged to plan a 1M Rising gathering of their own. 

• October Protest/Rally Rally title: “No Kings 2.” Oct 18, 10 am-12 pm.  Further details are being developed and will be announced as they unfold. 

• Community Engagement Opportunities (Ann)  

• National Day of Action for Medicaid: SAT, 9/6, 11 am, 222 Main St, Newport, VT, Vermont Workers Center associated with Nonviolent Medicaid Army Whistlepig Riot will be playing! 

• Caledonia Food Coop, special meeting at Athenaeum, Sunday, 9/14,4-5, and 9/20 Harvest Moon Gala, 502 RR St. LINK to buy tickets 

• All VT Political Parties' Reorganization, or “re-org,” happens every 2 years in September. Each town, county, and the whole state elects or re-elects its officers. Find out more through the VT Secretary of State -  Parties and Party Organization.

• Indivisible St J After Hours, September 15th, Sam’s Listening Bar, in person, 5:30 pm- Social, 6:00 pm Meeting.

• SASS sing-a-long

• Next meetings: 9/10 Action Groups, 9/15 After Hours, 9/17 Big Tent Meeting