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City Club Missoula Hosts the Warren Miller Freedom Foundation – "Young Entrepreneurs of the World Unite"

"Some people start their careers with a job while others start with an idea." Ski film legend Warren and wife Laurie Miller – Warren Miller Freedom Foundation http://www.warrenmiller.org/

With that focus in mind, Warren and his wife Laurie presented their exciting entrepreneurship curriculum for schools soon to be launched in Missoula through their charity, the Warren Miller Freedom Foundation http://www.warrenmiller.org/ to the January luncheon of City Club Missoula http://www.cityclubmissoula.org .

The first Montana program of the Foundation will begin in Feb. at Missoula’s C.S. Porter Middle School. The 10 week program will educate the students in the values, challenges and rewards of building your own business while also stressing the value of character, ethics, and integrity.

Laurie Miller stated the basics of the program: "The purpose of the class is to teach young people how to set up and run their own businesses. Students select a business and with the guidance of a mentor will learn how to get the business started and grow through practical lessons in advertising, marketing, and financial record keeping."

Warren added, "I learned a lot in the Depression. None of that is taught in any school district. We stress the value of owning your own business and the financial freedom that affords. A bonus is that strength of character improves when meeting the challenge of running one’s own business. There is wisdom in finishing school and going to college. We believe that attending college just to get a good job sells the individual short; going to college to learn how to make jobs can satisfy many goals on many levels."

The Missoula Flagship program http://www.flagshipprogram.org/ is leading the effort through their afterschool program and their extensive base of volunteers. Rosie Buzzas spoke to the group saying that a leader for the course had been secured with an additional person interested in assisting. Other mentors and speakers will be needed to provide a wide range of information and experiences for the students. Flagship welcomes inquiries and support.

Dr. Alex Apostle, superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, spoke his support of the program, stating that it fit well with the district’s mission of educating students. "This program presents a great opportunity to get students involved in the real world and develop relationships with successful business entrepreneurs to help them compete successfully in post-high-school education and in the global economy."

As is the practice at City Club Missoula, attendees asked a number of questions about student and mentor selection, possible expansion of the program and participation by parents in previous programs. Members of several organizations and companies expressed keen interest in partnership and sponsorship opportunities to further expand the program to more students both in Missoula and throughout Montana. Further questions of the program can be directed to the discussion section on City Club’s website at http://www.cityclubmissoula.org. Future and past events as well as membership and sponsorship opportunities are also listed on the website.

The Warren Miller Freedom Foundation

The Warren Miller Freedom Foundation strives to instill in young people the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship and to teach the essential skills necessary to become successful and ethical members of the business community. http://www.warrenmiller.org/

The Warren Miller Company

Ski Bums of the
World, Unite! http://www.warrenmiller.net/ec/index.php

Flagship is a school and community partnership that provides skill-building activities to Missoula youth during non-school hours (usually after school). Flagship programs are currently available in all MCPS high schools, Seeley-Swan High School, three middle schools and three elementary schools. http://www.flagshipprogram.org/

City Club Missoula – Our mission is to bring together people to inform and inspire citizens on issues vital to the Missoula area community through public forums that encourage the discussion of new ideas and the free exchange of thought. http://cityclubmissoula.org/

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