The Montana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee has a full slate of activities scheduled for the upcoming MFBF Annual Convention.  This committee works hard throughout the year planning and hosting a variety of educational and outreach programs across the state.

There will be plenty of opportunities at convention to learn about what they accomplished this past year, what’s on the docket for next year and to participate in their great events and fundraisers.

The Women’s Committee will hold their meeting from 1-3:00pm pm Sunday, November 12.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  That evening, the Committee kicks off convention by hosting the Vesper’s Service and dessert reception at 7:00pm.

Committee Elections

If you’re interested in serving on the Women’s Leadership Committee, Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 will be holding elections this year.  To be nominated and elected, you must attend your respective District Caucus meeting Monday, November 13 from 3-5pm. 

Women’s Committee Lunch

On Tuesday, November 14, the Women’s Leadership Committee will be hosting lunch featuring keynote speaker, Curt Swenson.

Curt is the vice president of FutureSYNC International.  With broad, real-world experience and pragmatic, problem-solving approaches, Curt specializes in seeking first to understand your organization, then develops and delivers customized, engaging, practical interventions that drive meaningful business outcomes.

During his diverse twenty-plus year professional career, Curt has repeatedly demonstrated his abilities to get results, lead teams and grow employees. He has successfully implemented leadership and succession programs in two multiple organizations, from concept to successful implementation. Curt has effectively led teams and entire departments. He has provided leadership coaching, mentoring, strategic planning and team development to many groups and organizations. As a dynamic trainer, experienced facilitator, sought-after coach, and a proven leader, Curt brings an authentic, effective and credible approach to every engagement.

Born and raised on the hi-line of Montana, Curt grew up understanding the importance of business results. In fact, he was dependent on them. As small business owners, his parents taught him the value of hard work and smart business decisions early on. Curt worked his way through high school and college and graduated from the University of Montana with a dual major in Psychology and Sociology. After ten years as an employee in the criminal justice system, Curt discovered a fascination for teaching others and for systems improvement. He has spent the last thirteen years in the field of organizational development, leading and cultivating his passion for exposing and developing the potential in people and organizations. Curt is an experienced strategic planner, Master Facilitator, certified DiSC trainer, and Instructional Development expert.

Curt and his wife, Ann (a Helena native and school teacher) have five children, ranging in ages from grade school to college. They are very proud to call Montana home and enjoy playing in the outdoors and chasing their kids around the state, watching their activities.

In his keynote, Curt will share his personal experiences with mentors that allowed him to be where he is today.  Participants will be inspired to grow their mentor relationships, seek opportunities to be mentors and understand the foundations for an effective mentoring relationship.

  • Understand the core components of effective mentoring relationships
  • Apply the know+value+care formula to any mentoring relationship
  • See how effective mentorship can grow an industry’s culture with intent
  • Leverage the value of leaders growing future leaders or “Iron sharpening Iron”.

Photo Contest

“Faces of Farm Bureau” is the theme for this year’s Women’s Leadership Photo Contest.  The countdown is on! 

Entries are due to Mary Hill by October 30, 2017.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries: $150 for 1st place, $100 to 2nd place and $75 to 3rd.

Email photos to Mary at barjrgelbvieh@3rivers.net.  Email is the preferred method of entry, but entries may be mailed to: Mary Hill, 1496 Goose Creek Rd., Raynesford, MT  59469.  Check out the graphic for all the photo contest rules and info!

Fundraising 

An important focus of the Women’s Leadership Committee is awarding scholarship dollars to young men and women across our great state.  Each year, the committee awards two $1,000 scholarships to graduating, high school seniors.  Naturally, fundraising for those scholarship dollars is all part of the committee’s work.  Luckily, we have a talented and creative bunch on this committee. 

This year, the Women’s Committee will be auctioning off custom made cutting boards and two, beautiful handmade quilts.  These auctions will take place during lunch and dinner on Tuesday so plan to show up with your check book out!

We’re so excited to share the 98th Annual Montana Farm Bureau Convention and Tradeshow with you!  Registration closes on November 3rd, so don’t forget to register today and be a part of these great events and programs!