Annual Meeting deadlines
Oct. 21 Nominations for Bob Tully Spirit Award and Mary Donohoe “Tell It Like It Is” Award. Email clementine@northernplains.org.
Oct. 27 Make your reduced-rate room reservation at the Crowne Plaza,
(406) 252-7400.
Nov. 4 Early-bird registration deadline.
Nov. 10 Election ballots must be returned to Northern Plains office. BALLOTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT ANNUAL MEETING.
Welcome
The 2011 Northern Plains Resource Council Annual Meeting – our 40th such gathering – will open with a workshop at 10:30 a.m., and officially convene at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11, and conclude the following evening, November 12.
The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for members from across Montana to meet with one another, learn together, and take a hands-on role in guiding Northern Plains through the year ahead by electing our officers, at-large board delegates, and by adopting resolutions on important policies.
As always, your best deal is to pre-register early – this year’s early-bird deadline is Friday, November 4. Full registration pays for our speakers, the facility, and three meals.
Come join us at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Billings on November 11-12.
Door prizes
We will be holding drawings for door prizes for current members in attendance.
Great deal on hotel rooms
The Billings Crowne Plaza, (406) 252-7400, has set aside a number of rooms at a substantially discounted price ($81), but this is not an unlimited number of rooms. Register early – definitely by October 27 – for the reduced price. It’s a flat rate, so it applies whether one person or four people occupy the room. Be sure to say you’re attending the Northern Plains Annual Meeting for the reduced rate.
Free parking
You can park for free at the city parking garage across 1st Avenue North from the Crowne Plaza. Have your ticket validated at the front desk.
Terrific auctions
The Annual Meeting auction is all about sustaining Northern Plains’ work in the year to come. Making it a fun and beneficial event depends on you. Can you contribute an auction item? Can you come to the auction and shop? Even if you’re not registered for the Annual Meeting, you are always welcome to stop by on Saturday evening and take part in the bidding. If you have something to contribute, please call Steve at 248-1154 or email steve@northernplains.org. If you can donate an item, it helps us if we know the particulars ahead of time.
Bob Tully Spirit Award
Named after one of Northern Plains’ founding members, the Bob Tully Spirit Award recognizes an exemplary leader who has displayed courage and a sense of humor in longtime service to Northern Plains. Nominations must be received in the Northern Plains office by October 21. Email nominations to Clementine at
clementine@northernplains.org or call (406) 248-1154.
Mary Donohoe “Tell It Like It Is Award”
Mary Donohoe was a longtime member who was well-known for her spirited determination and her willingness to speak up for Northern Plains. This award recognizes a member who, in the past year, wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Nominations must be received in the Northern Plains office by October 21. Email nominations to clementine@northernplains.org or call (406) 248-1154.
The Business Meeting
Being a member means that you have the right to vote for our officers and our at-large board delegates. It also means that you have the right to vote on policy resolutions that help steer Northern Plains’ work in the year ahead.
The deadline to submit a resolution to the Resolutions Committee has passed. Any new resolutions will be subject to a membership vote at the Annual Meeting before being considered.
Because resolutions undergo many changes during the course of debate, you must be present at the Business Meeting in order to vote on resolutions.
If you request them at the time you pre-register, printed copies of draft resolutions will be mailed to you before the Annual Meeting in order to provide more time for review. Of course, this mailing cannot include late resolutions. You can also request copies by calling the office (406) 248-1154 or emailing steve@northernplains.org.
Need child care?
We are making arrangements at the hotel to provide child care for at least some portions of the Annual Meeting. If you are interested, call (406) 248-1154.
Invite a friend
Even if you or a friend don’t register for the entire Annual Meeting, you can still attend individual sessions. Check the registration form for “Itemized Registration.”
