Leadership Montana To Build A Powerful Network of Leaders… Now Accepting Applications for Class of 2004-2005

Leadership Montana, a statewide collaboration of higher education, civic and business leaders, has begun accepting applications for the Class of 2004-2005.

Leadership Montana will present a seven session program of personal leadership development and business and policy education. At the heart of Leadership Montana will be the concept of community trusteeship. Leaders hold the future of their communities, their state and their families in trust. Ultimately, Leadership Montana participants accept this role as trustholders and will form an important bond, creating a powerful network of energy, talent and leadership for our state.

Participants will be selected to ensure diversity of ideas, commitment to the long-term future of Montana, and a willingness to play a trusteeship role. The program will be conducted in locations across the state, beginning with an Orientation and Retreat in Bozeman and Big Sky on September 8.

The Leadership Montana organization includes a Leadership Team, a Steering Committee and an Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee and Steering Committee have been working since early 2003 to build this statewide program. The Leadership Team, twenty-seven organizations from around the state, provide funding and guidance for the program.

Tom Scott, chairman of First Interstate BancSystem and member of the Steering and Leadership Committees said, “Leadership Montana will provide the tools and awareness of the critical issues that leaders can apply to lead the state to a more prosperous future. In time, the graduates of Leadership Montana can be a nucleus that will develop a vision for a Montana of which we can all be proud.”

The Montana Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)(3), is the sponsoring organization of Leadership Montana. Leadership Montana is a not-for-profit venture.

The inaugural class of Leadership Montana will include 40 participants. Tuition will be $2,500 for the seven session program. Graduation of the first class will be in May, 2005.

Leadership Montana is about creating what we want to BE, not just what we want to do. Those who have a passion for this state and their community, and are willing to accept responsibility for leadership, should consider this new and unique opportunity.

The Application Forms and more information are available at http://www.leadershipmontana.org .

For further information, contact:

Bruce Whittenberg, Executive Director, 406 896-5877

Sharon Peterson, Associate Director, 406 896-5876

Leadership Montana

c/o Montana State University-Billings, Downtown Campus

207 N. Broadway

PO Box 1373

Billings, Montana 59103

Email:

Website: http://www.leadershipmontana.org.