Welcome to a new year at Leadership Montana! Our fiscal year kicked off this month with some deep reflecting, planning, learning, and connecting. We crossed the state several different ways to advance our mission of building a better Montana.
Our first stop was to Blackfeet Nation for the third session of our Indigenous Immersion Initiative where our participants learned more in three days that I can put into words here. We saw the true power of immersion come full circle as one participant said “I arrived wanting to leave, and I am leaving wanting to stay.” The impact of this program is beyond words, because of the commitment from each of our participants.
Next up in Helena, we gathered our full team - staff, Board, and trainers - for two days of connecting, learning, and dreaming. Our annual planning retreat gave us an opportunity to recalibrate our strategic plan while understanding one another in meaningful ways. I am personally grateful for everyone who says “Yes!” to this invitation and who commit to working in collaboration with our whole team to make possible what often seems impossible.
We ended the month in Paradise Valley where we hosted two separate groups of Montana leaders for unique workshops. Our second annual Leadership Montana for Legislators event built on the work we started last year by convening a bipartisan group of elected leaders to deeply discuss ways to work better together. We left with a commitment to extend this effort through the 2023 legislative session and beyond.
For the first time, we brought together a group of Indigenous leaders representing all areas of our state for three days of connection and learning together. In the stunning setting of the greater Yellowstone area, traditional lands of many Montana tribes, we watched as strangers became family in the power of the Leadership Montana container.
July was a month that brought incredible deepening to our work. With deeper connections to the people and places of our state, our commitment to our mission is clear. We are here to build a better Montana for all of us, and we are on the right track because of you and your commitment to Leadership Montana.
Be well and lead well,
Chantel M. Schieffer
President & CEO
Class of 2010, Masters 2019
chantel@leadershipmontana.org
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Do you have a passion for service? Leadership Montana has a place for you with a number of volunteer opportunities to help move our organization forward. Here are a few of our highest needs at present. For general inquires on how you can help LMT reach out here.
Youth Program Task Force - As we explore potential programming for Montana youth, we have begun working with a small group of members from across the state to identify needs and opportunities. It’s not too late to join this new effort. Learn more or lend your time!
One Million Neighbors Task Force - Members of the Leadership Montana community have identified a significant concern about a decrease in civility and corresponding increases in apathy and division between individuals and groups across the state of Montana and society at large. Out of many recent conversations about this need came the organizing idea of “One Million Neighbors”, bringing together Montanans with the idea that no matter our beliefs, our backgrounds, or our current situations, we are all neighbors in this state. Learn more or lend your time!
Development Committee, Major Gifts Council, and Endowment Committee - Here are three different ways to connect to our work around funding the future of our organization. Each one of these groups works collaboratively to raise funds necessary to support of programming. Learn more and lend your time!
Board of Governors - Each year, one or two spaces open on our volunteer Board of Governors of 15 members. The Board of Governors supports the work of Leadership Montana and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. The day-to-day operations are led by Leadership Montana’s President/CEO. The Board and President/CEO relationship operates as a strategic partnership. The President/CEO is expected to call on Board members for guidance and input from time to time and Board members are expected to be responsive to the President/CEO’s requests. Ask for more information and application!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Space is limited!
Join us in Havre and Rocky Boy for
The Confluence: A Leadership Montana Signature event
on September 28-30, 2022.
Our annual signature event, The Confluence is a traveling conference spanning two days in September and is open to the general public, not just alumni. A committee of local alumni identify a new location each year and plan interactive opportunities to learn from community leaders about the challenges and opportunities unique to their town. Think of it as a leadership retreat full of inspiring people who love Montana.
Recent events have featured the communities of White Sulphur Springs, Missoula, Butte, Miles City, Billings, Kalispell, Bozeman, White Sulphur Springs, and Red Lodge.
The agenda is currently in formation and coming soon!
Thank you to each of the alumni members who have invested in the future of Leadership Montana by paying your Active Alumni Membership Dues. Active Alumni enjoy the benefits of connections, early registration access to unique gatherings, and exlusive discounts that support statewide unification and strong leadership.
If you have not yet paid your annual Alumni dues we hope you will join fellow LMT Alumni in supporting and sustaining quality leadership development programs for Montana, programming that enables us to listen to one another, generate new ideas and solutions, and thrive in the Last Best Place.
*Class of 2022 - your dues are covered until 2023.
We are pleased to announce our 2022-2023 Board of Governors officers and members. We are grateful to these leaders who dedicate hours of their time, talent, and treasure so that together we can develop leaders committed to building a better Montana through knowledge, collaboration, and civility.
Debbie Vandeberg – Chair
Class of 2005, Founding Member Havre
Kelly Cresswell – Past Chair
Class of 2006, Masters 2022 Helena
Barb Cestero
Class of 2015, Masters 2020 Bozeman
Anthony (Tony) Flynn
Class of 2015, Masters 2022 Butte
Darrell Hirsch
Class of 2020 Bozeman
Anne Hughes
Class of 2012, Masters 2022 Missoula
Julie Jenkinson
Class of 2015, Masters 2020 Helena
Aaron Pratt – Vice Chair
Class of 2017, Masters 2020 Helena
Leonard Malin – Treasurer
Class of 2014, Masters 2019 Billings
Misty Kuhl
Class of 2019 Helena
Ariel Overstreet-Adkins
Class of 2013 Billings
Major Robinson
Class of 2006 Helena
Stephen Schreibeis
Class of 2021, Masters 2022 Glendive
Camila (Cami) Skinner
Class of 2015 Sidney
Chris Warden
Class of 2006, Masters 2020 Missoula
WELCOME
We are excited to welcome Casey Wolfe to the Leadership Montana team as our new Membership Experience Director.
Working in collaboration with the entire LMT team, Casey will create exceptional learning and connection experiences for the alumni members of Leadership Montana and general public of Montana. Our Alumni Committee has some great ideas for engagement, and having Casey on staff will help us turn those ideas into opportunities for connection, deep conversation, and continued learning.
Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Casey Wolfe landed in Bozeman to study at Montana State University. During her undergrad years at MSU she majored in Business-Marketing and then received her Master’s in Adult and Higher Education. Her work at MSU in the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship focused on retention and engagement of students through programming, outreach, employer relations, and more, in addition assisting with all programming including leading the planning of the Women’s Circle of Excellence Conference. Additionally, she coaches the Bozeman High School Freshman Team and at Big Sky Volleyball Club. When she is not busy with work or coaching, she volunteers for her sorority with four different chapters, attends spin class, hangs out with her dogs Willie & Reba, plans murder mystery parties for friends, or tries to be an outdoorsy person.
Casey joins the team in August and we are excited for you to meet and work with her.
MASTERS CLASS REFLECTION Anthony (Tony) Flynn, LMT Class of 2015 and Masters 2022, Butte
As I began my Leadership Montana journey, I was at first reluctant thinking it would be just another class on leadership and another book to read. Even going into the first session at Big Sky, I felt a little out of place. That changed almost immediately. After the first day of interacting with a group of complete strangers, I was quick to see that I did belong and would have something not only to learn, but to give to others as well.
The experience of the program had helped me not only in my professional setting but in my personal life as well. All due to the participants and the staff and facilitators of the lessons provided.
Then comes the Masters’ Program. I was excited – knowing what I had experienced during the flagship program, I was looking forward to continuing to develop myself. We all know it is not easy to be a leader and we are often faced with challenges and conflicts and that is what these programs help us to work through.
I was very fortunate to have a number of my flagship program classmates and friends in my Masters session, so I was a lot more comfortable going in than I was the first round. I was again quick to learn that everyone in the group was in the same situation as I was and in no time at all had a wealth of support and knowledge from another group of people whom most I had never met and now call friends and colleagues. Some of the sessions and discussions were not easy, but the setting allows for people to open up, share, feel valued and feel respected. I am in awe when I am around anyone in these two groups I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to share my time and self with.
I have learned over time, and with assistance from many individuals, great leaders are developed. It is not something you just do. We all have something to learn and something to give. Be that person and help yourself and others flourish.
Applications for the Masters Class of 2023 close on August 1, 2022.
“The best leaders turned out to be the best learners…Learning is the master skill. When you fully engage in learning – when you throw yourself whole-heartedly into experimenting, reflecting, reading, or being coached – you will experience the thrill of improvement and the taste of success.” J. Kouzes and B. Posner
Upon graduation from Leadership Montana, alumni are invited to continue their leadership journey through the Masters Class. Established in 2017, the Masters Class is a shorter and smaller class experience allowing participants to dive deeper into their own leadership journey. The Masters Class was born out of requests from Alumni for an additional in-depth experience to continue their leadership journey.
The Masters Class experience will build on the Leadership Montana experience by digging deeper into leadership development, Gracious Space, and community issues.
The Masters Class may be right for you if you're looking for ways to:
build collaboration, teamwork, and trust
strengthen the ability of others to excel
experiment with innovative ideas and learn from accompanying mistakes
inspire others to share a common vision
clarify and communicate your fundamental values and beliefs
increase your personal capacity for courageous collaboration
learn an approach for embracing vulnerability and reality
The Masters Class is a 4 session experience. The class is limited to 24 participants.
Tuition is $3,000, limited scholarships are available.
Session 1: November 2 - 4, 2022 Paradise Valley
Session 2: February 8 - 10, 2023 Helena
Session 3: May 10 - 12, 2023 Havre
Graduation and Celebrate Montana Dinner: June 1 - 2, 2023
Be a Community Connector and join a special group of alumni who provide steady monthly support to Leadership Montana. Your recurring gifts will be a dependable source of support that Leadership Montana can count on throughout the year.
With automatic deductions from your credit card, debit card, or checking account, you can make one monthly gift today without further action and know your charitable giving is in place for the entire year. If your situation changes for any reason, you can always update or cancel your gift.
Monthly giving is the most cost-efficient way to deliver your support. Spreading your support throughout the year is a convenient way to include your donations into your personal budget. Sign up today to set up your monthly or recurring gift today!
Our gratitude this month goes to Montana State University. We thank all our alumni and friends at MSU who work hard to help build a better Montana! We are thankful to you and all of our supporters! Many thanks for your generous sponsorship.
If your company is interested in learning about sponsorship partnerships with Leadership Montana, let us know.
EVENTS - Opportunities to Listen, Learn and Build Connection
Leadership Montana is a non-profit collaboration of leaders from business, labor, healthcare, higher education, non-profits and government coming together to form a strong partnership for the betterment of Montana.
Leadership Montana exists to develop leaders committed to building a better Montana through knowledge, collaboration and civility.
We are excited to welcome Casey Wolfe to the Leadership Montana team as our new Membership Experience Director. 
As I began my Leadership Montana journey, I was at first reluctant thinking it would be just another class on leadership and another book to read. Even going into the first session at Big Sky, I felt a little out of place. That changed almost immediately. After the first day of interacting with a group of complete strangers, I was quick to see that I did belong and would have something not only to learn, but to give to others as well.
