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.
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary.Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm