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News Releases



For Immediate Release - October 4, 2000
Contact:
Roger Stone
Training Officer
406-444-4414


Governor's Conference on Civic Engagement to be Held in Great Falls

(Helena)--- The Governor's Office of Community Service announced today the Governor's Conference on Civic Engagement will be held at the Best Western Heritage Inn, 1700 Fox Farm Road in Great Falls October 29 - October 31.

Conference goals are to examine and debate the latest ideas, theories, and trends in civic engagement; develop skills, strategies, and program models to implement in communities; to network and build relationships with leaders in volunteerism and community service; and to share ideas, promising approaches, and best practices with peers.

Two special events highlight the Governor's Conference on Civic Engagement: Author Stephen Ambrose will host a limited attendance reception at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, and Governor Marc Racicot will present the 2000 Volunteer Award during the Governor's Civic Engagement Awards Banquet.

Governor Racicot is renowned for his long-standing dedication and commitment to community service: "To those who say government has no business encouraging service, my response is simple: You are sadly mistaken. It is precisely the business of government to encourage civic engagement and foster good citizenship - our democracy depends on it."

The Conference offers over 30 sessions covering academic to application topics in four tracks: Social Capital: Ideas, Theories & Trends; Volunteer Management & Program Development; Service-Learning in K-12 & Higher Education; Community Capacity Building.

The sessions will be presented by international and national speakers, including: Dr. Arthur Peterson, Rocky Mountain College; Dr. Sarah Jane Rehnborg, University of Texas; Daniel Kemmis, former mayor of Missoula; Dr. Marilyn Smith, Corporation for National Service; Byron White, Chicago Tribune, plus 17 outstanding presenters.

This annual gathering of people involved in community service includes members from all the Learn & Serve programs, AmeriCorps*USA programs, the National Senior Service Corps programs, Habitat for Humanity, 4H, YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way organizations, and many state and federal agency staff.

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