Speakers

The Gallatin Valley Land Trust connects people to the landscapes that surround us through the conservation of open spaces and creation of trail systems. Through its work, it provides spaces for children to get outside, protect habitat for our area’s most iconic wildlife species, keep working farms working, and offer world class outdoor recreation from our Main Street to the Mountains, and so much more.

Chet has spent the last 20 years working in conservation, a majority of that time within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Before coming to GVLT Chet led two of the nation’s most successful land trusts, the Teton Regional Land Trust in Eastern Idaho and most recently the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, California. In addition to his land trust leadership experience, Chet has worked as a land manager for The Nature Conservancy in Idaho and has completed an environmental education residency at the Teton Science Schools in Jackson Hole. Chet holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Duke University, as well as certificates in Nonprofit Management and Geospatial Analysis. Chet, his wife and three children moved to Bozeman in the summer of 2020.

Our first rotating meeting since COVID will feature the visiting foreign teachers who are part of this program. We will learn more about the program and their work around the world. Special thanks to Mary Hubbard and Craig Woolard for making this event possible.

Jacy Conradt joined Reach Inc., as the Community Relations and Development Director in September of 2020. Reach is a local, private, non-profit organization that’s been providing services to adults with developmental disabilities since 1974. Our mission is to empower the people we serve to attain their individual goals and aspirations. Her extensive background includes communications, community relations, and fundraising for nonprofits in the healthcare field. Her goals are to grow and expand visibility in the community for the adults served by the nonprofit.

Jacy is a Montana native and graduate of Montana State University. When she’s not at work, she can be found cooking, reading, camping, or being entertained by her black cat, Owen Meany. She enjoys the outdoors year-round, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Zack is Senior Staff Attorney with the Terrestrial Wildlife division

https://awionline.org/content/staff

The Board of Public Education has the authority under Article X, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution to exercise general supervision over elementary and secondary public schools in Montana. Its mission is to supervise, serve, maintain, and strengthen Montana’s system of free quality public education. I’ll briefly discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Public Education, how we work closely with the Office of Public Instruction and our education partners, and how our constitutional authority works in tandem with that of our local school district board of trustees. At the end of the day, it is my hope that Rotarians will learn more generally about the Board of Public Education and the education landscape in Montana.

McCall Flynn began her career as Executive Director of the Board of Public Education on January 6, 2021. As an Anaconda native and graduate of Carroll College in Helena, Ms. Flynn comes to this role after previously serving eight years under Governor Steve Bullock. Beginning in 2013, Ms. Flynn worked in numerous capacities, such as Project Manager, Policy Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, and finally as Education Policy Advisor.

Ms. Flynn has worked extensively with legislators and legislative staff, the Office of Public Instruction, members of the Montana Public Education Coalition, and other education stakeholders. Ms. Flynn places a high value on the importance of public education in Montana and has the unique perspective to work collaboratively with others to enhance and continue the good work that has already been done. Ms. Flynn currently resides in Helena, MT where she has lived since 2009.