From the Board of Directors Chair, Mark Cadwallader
On September 18-20 the Board of Directors for Singing Waters Montana met at Camp Mimanagish for its Annual Meeting. Camp Managers Cathy Barker and Dick Weaver gave a colorful report on the 2022 season. Thank you to the 350+ people who volunteered and participated in making it a wonderful first year! The Board accomplished work that culminated in securing our 20-year permit from the US Forest Service, and we enjoyed brainstorming about the future in preparation for submitting our 20-year plan.
The Annual Meeting included election of officers for the upcoming year. Gratitude was expressed for Bobbi Zenker and others who have served the Board of this young organization with dedication and hard work.
This is our Board: Mark Cadwallader of Helena, Chair; Ken Crouch of Billings, Vice-Chair; Katie Bennett of Billings, Secretary; Hal Fossum of Helena, Treasurer; and Members-at-Large: Shanna (Sullivan) Nason of Billings, Judy Koons of Cocoa Beach, Florida (yes, Florida!), and Bill Sward of Big Timber.
Miraculously, a tiny permanent staff of three (Dick and Cathy plus Head Cook Dilynn Wise) pulled off a break-even season! Short-term hires made it possible: Claire Hatch, Marisa (Christiansen) Schmidt, and DeeDee Wellhaven provided kitchen assistance during the busiest times. Hardy volunteers filled in too: Boyce Fowler, Ken Crouch, Loren Miles, Bruce and Jeanne Smith, Randy and Linda Crowe, David and Ryan Roche, Wendy Morical, Rusty Swingle, Richard Wolf, Mark MacLeod, and Hal Fossum. (Please forgive any omissions)
Big News! We have reached an agreement in principle with David Botma and Robin (Rohloff) Sullivan Botma to join our Camp Staff as Maintenance Person and Kitchen Assistant/Camp Nurse for 2023. All parties are looking forward to the upcoming Camp season. Robin, who grew up in Miles City, remembers Mimanagish summers as the best times of her childhood.
Adding two permanent staff will support our faithful three, move our vision forward, and provide a high-quality experience for all campers and user groups. It will also increase our expenses…as you think about your year-end giving plans, please remember Singing Waters Montana!
Watch for us on Giving Tuesday and consider shopping in the Camp Store (open by Cyber Monday) for holiday gifts!