Panelists Wyoming Rep. Cathy Connolly, Washington Sen. Randi Becker and Hawai’i Rep. Joy San Buenventura discuss their experiences as women in politics. The all-women’s panel is one example of CSG West Chair Rep. Kimberly Dudik’s effort to get more women in leadership roles for CSG’s annual meeting. PHOTO BY BELLA BUTLER
BIG
SKY – For the 72nd year in a row, members of Western state
legislatures gathered for the annual meeting of the Council of State Governments
West. This year Montana hosted the meeting at Big Sky Resort from July 16-20, an
event that included government representatives from 13 states, four territories
and two Canadian provinces.
The
nonpartisan national CSG is divided into four geographic areas to allow regions
to create space to focus on issues that are specific to them. In the Western
region, founded in 1947, these topics are focused via committees such as the
Agriculture, Public Safety and Water and Environment committees.
“[The
annual meeting] is an opportunity for legislators and other elected officials
throughout the West to come together and share best practices and learn about
issues that are keenly relevant to the West,” said CSG West Chair and Montana
Rep. Kimberly Dudik, who is the first woman from Montana to serve in the
position and is running for Montana Attorney General.
The
event featured keynote speakers, committee meetings and breakout sessions as
well as other opportunities for different state governments to interact.
Breakout sessions covered issues ranging from daylight savings to foster care.
At a session on women in politics, Dr. Gayle Alberda of Fairfield University in
Connecticut shared tips on how women can use social media as a gender-neutral
tool in their campaigns.
This
year, one of Dudik’s goals for the meeting was to involve Western tribal
nations more, which she said she accomplished by including a panel on Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as well as inviting leaders from all
Montana tribes.
Dudik
said she also fulfilled her goal to instill more gender and ethnic equality in
the organization’s leadership positions, which she did by appointing more women
and ethnic minorities.
One
of CSG’s missions, according to Dudik, is to improve state governments as well
as motivate constituents to educate themselves on state candidates during
election time.
“Everyone
gets really caught up in national politics but where rubber hits the road is at
state level,” she said. “What deals with trade, what deals with women’s rights,
what deals with education funding, what deals with healthcare is all at the
state level, and people should really be aware of it.”
Each
year, the annual CSG West meeting takes place in the home state of the current
chair. According to Dudik, Big Sky Resort was the only place in Montana large
enough to host the event. Wyoming Sen. Michael Von Flatern is the current
chair-elect, and the 2020 meeting will be hosted in Jackson, Wyoming.
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019:4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be
Event Details
Join Big Sky OUT at the Len Hill Park Community Ice Rink for a free and inclusive ice skating event for all levels. Everyone is welcome, especially allies! There will be hot cocoa donated by the Hungry Moose and pizza donated by Blue Moon Bakery. Ice skate rentals are available at East Slope Outdoors until 8pm.