Join us at our next Statewide Conference
Please join us in March for learning, community, and fun at our 2026 Gathering Wisdom, Building Power Conference.
Our 2026 Conference Theme is "Building a Healthy Democracy."
Registration:
Click here to register for the conference.
Room Reservations:
The event room block is available at the Northern Hotel. Click here to reserve your room.
Conference Details:
Panels
Generational Super Powers - Standing STRONGER Together!
Building winning partnerships and coalitions across generations
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State Rep. (MIssoula) Melody Cunningham
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Early Childhood advocate Alex DuBois
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Billings School Board trustee Luke Ashmore
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UM Student Renn Stearns
Navigating the Information Eco-system 2026
Engaging responsibly and effectively in a difficult information ecosystem
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Colorado Times Record writer and political communications consultant Logan Davis
Global Perspectives on the Building Blocks of Democracies
Deepen understanding and appreciation of key building blocks that facilitate functional democracy.
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Consultant: Developing Democracy in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe Dave Hunter
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State Department Foreign Service Officer Morgan Taylor
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US AID (Central Asia) Susan DeCamp
Exploring, Understanding, and Responding to Religious Extremism
Perspectives on Christian Nationalism, Islamist Extremism, and Antisemitism
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Historian, Author of Occupied Nation: Understanding, and Responding to White Christian Nationalism Dr. Bruce Gourley
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History professor with emphasis on North Africa & the Middle East Dr. Jeanette Fregulia
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Retired ELCA Bishop Pastor Jessica Crist
Moving Forward: Strength for Your Journey
Plenary Brainstorm on Organizing and Winning in 2026!
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Members of Big Sky 55+ Board
Plenary speakers:
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Jon "Bowzer" Bauman -- president of Social Security Works PAC, former member of the band Sha Na Na, and game show host. Smart, fun and serious! Our keynote speaker!
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Nancy Leifer -- League of Women Voters. Perspectives on Montana's Constitution
Plus! -- Stretch sessions with Claudia Clifford (back by popular demand), and Corbin Howard will be sharing poems throughout the conference that fit the moment and help us reflect on the subjects at hand.