Silver Bow Kiwanis Kiwanis Club Meeting, Jul 3, '12

12:00-1:00 Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Lloyd announced that this Friday and Saturday we need help parking (and possibly selling programs and working concessions) for the Rodeo. He needs people starting at 5, but if you can get there a little later than that, that's fine too. A sign up sheet went around, but please let Keith know if you can make it but didn't sign up (or weren't at the meeting).

Dave announced that the International Convention went well, the EleMiNaTe project passed their $14 million milestone during the convention, with $14.3 million raised by the end of the convention. While Silver Bow Kiwanis was the first Model Club internationally, others have surpassed us, with some Model Clubs already meeting their fundraising goals! In addition, 5 districts were recognized for Leadership Development and Education, and, thanks significantly to the efforts of our own Betsy, Montana was one of those. Dave presented Betsy with a plaque from International.

Then Lee introduced Bill Andersen, our speaker. Bill is a new member of the club, and was formerly a Circle K member up at Montana Tech. Bill is now a Butte-Silver Bow County Commissioner, and is also an adviser for Montana Boys State. He was also a delegate to Montana Boys State in 1990.

Bill started developing an interest in politics in 1984, watchign presidential debates between President Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale. His grandfather told him that anyone smart enough to have the job was also smart enough not to run for it in the first place.

Boys State (and Girls State) are for high school students between their junior and senior years in high school. The candidates are divided by party (Pioneer and Frontier), and by city. Then within their cities they elect mayor, council members, and other offices. The parties also caucus and determine their platforms. The elected officials have to learn their jobs, and then they have to produce ordinances.

In Montana, Boys State is held at Carrol College. This is convenient because they then have access to city, county, and state offices to tour.

Many famous people have been through Boys State or Girls State, including Neil Armstrong, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Clinton, Jane Pauley, and Michael Jordan. Boys State was started in 1935 in Illinois to keep kids in-line with democratic and capitalist ideals. Girls State was started about 6 years later.

After the members of Boys State have worked through some processes for at the City level, they then have to elect county officials and work through that process, then elect state officials and work through those issues. In addition to the political learning, the attendees at Boys State and Girls State also put together their own sports teams, newspaper, band, and chorus.

Boys State is important because it is important to teach youth leadership skills, and because it is important to teach leaders to work together to accomplish goals.

Presentation

Bill Andersen, Montana Boys State

Menu

Ham and Cheese Omlet

Attendees

19

Event Updated

11:34 Tuesday, July 3, 2012