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Drinks with Rotarians
Sep. 24, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Drinks with Rotarians
Oct. 22, 2026 4:00 p.m.

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Not Your Average Civic Service Club

The Downtown Billings Rotary Club has been a part of the community for nearly 100 years, having measurable impact not just locally but internationally as well. Rotary offers you the chance to make friends, make memories, and make a difference.

Bureau of Reclamation - July 20, 2026

Tyler Bush introduced Ryan Newman, who is the area manager for the US Bureau of Reclamation. Ryan is a native of northwestern South Dakota and obtained a graduate and undergraduate degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from SD State. Before coming to Montana, he worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Dakotas and the Forestry Service in Idaho. Currently, he manages the 60 year old Yellowtail Dam for water, power, and infrastructure, the water of which irrigates over 350,000 acres of crops and serves one million visitors for recreational purposes. The Bureau's mission statement is to manage, develop, and protect water and the environment. The reclamation initiative was established by Teddy Roosevelt and Congress in 1902. Ryan spoke about the Milk River Project and St. Mary Unit, and how remarkable it is, as it was built by hand. The siphon worked for 120 years before it had to be repaired.

Today, the Missouri Basin Region has 50 Offices, 53 power plants servicing electricity for 3.5 million homes and generating one billion dollars in power revenue. The Bureau is managing reservoirs and rivers to measure, forecast, coordinate, operate, and communicate. They work with irrigation needs, environmental impacts, and flood control in the community. Ryan noted that there are major upgrades expected for Yellowtail and Canyon Ferry.

Scholarship update & Code Girls United - July 13, 2026

Canessa Washington, recipient of the Hartmann Scholarship (awarded every four years), spoke about her journey. She graduated from West High School and earned an associate’s degree Magna Cum Laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology in South Korea. She is now a global scholar, moving to Florence, Italy, in August to pursue a bachelor’s in fashion business management, representing her school in promoting global connections and cultural intelligence.

Kathy Eckert, Chief Program Officer of Code Girls United, introduced the program alongside coordinators and students. Haley, an 8th grader, has participated for 4.5 years, won scholarships three times, and plans to become a software engineer. She now serves as an ambassador, teaching younger girls. Sage, involved for 7–8 years, progressed from block coding to advanced Python and app development. Despite moving to Minnesota, she remained engaged with equipment sent by the program. She recently built an app set for market release and now interns to mentor others.

Program Overview

Free after-school program for girls in grades 4–12.
Operates in 6 public schools in Billings and across Montana.
Weekly 90-minute sessions during the school year (September–April).
Curriculum includes coding, problem-solving, AI, and cybersecurity.
Uses MIT App Inventor for block coding; advanced students learn Python and work with Raspberry Pi.
The speaker emphasized the importance of Rotary’s community impact and noted a current weakness: low committee participation. Members are encouraged to volunteer a few hours per month. An email from Mireya Lane will detail opportunities. The goal is to strengthen the club’s capacity to support students and causes like those highlighted.

Year-End Celebration - June 29, 2026

Rotary Year-End Reflection and Community Impact Report

As the Rotary year concluded, the club reviewed its recent achievements. The community grants initiative, selected 14 recipients from 28 applicants (up from 17 recipients the previous year). A total of 14 organizations received funding after a rigorous review process. The increase in funding was made possible by greater available resources. Two major international initiatives were highlighted: the Liberia Water and Sanitation Project and the Guatemala Water Access and Sanitation Project. The Youth Committee focused on leadership development through scholarships, RILA, and the Interact club. Community Service Initiatives highlighted the Holiday Food Baskets and Veterans’ Memorial Flags. Ken, Jonathan, and Drew presented on the highly successful Memorial Day Parade and are looking forward to next year's successes. Jonathan received the President’s Community Impact Award for his leadership, transforming a previously rejected idea into a landmark community event.

Leadership Transitions and Recognition

New Board Members: Vincent, Terry Danielson, Todd Sherman, Andy Elton, and Levi Knight (President Nominee). Returning Board Members: Dave Darby, Jonathan, Jake Bradford, and Matt Allen. Incoming President Charlie outlined two primary goals are to maintain and increase relevancy and grow membership.

Foundations - June 22, 2026

Induction of New Rotary Members

Three new members were formally inducted into the Billings Downtown Rotary Club #999: Anne Crist, Ashley Taylor, and Bill Dreikosen.

Billings Rotary Foundation Update

The Billings Rotary Foundation, provided an update on the organization’s leadership and future direction. Jock acknowledged the long-standing service of veteran board members—Bill Dutcher, Alan Karell, Darrel Ehrlick, and John Stewart—joking that they collectively had “four hundred years” of experience. The board has worked to secure a succession plan, and announced the new board members being added. The Foundation is transitioning to offering scholarships every two years instead of every four and will be increasing fundraising activities to support this initiative. John Stewart will assume the presidency of the Foundation on July 1st. Jock emphasized that while many Rotarians understand the Foundation’s purpose, many do not fully grasp its scope. He committed to delivering future presentations to clarify the Foundation’s impact and future goals.

Guest Presentation: Billings Community Foundation

Zack Terakedis, Executive Director, and John Greenberger, Finance Director, of the Billings Community Foundation (BCF), delivered a comprehensive presentation on their organization’s mission, services, and impact. The Foundation was founded in 2007 as a regional arm of the Montana Community Foundation. It became independent to better serve Eastern Montana, which previously received insufficient attention. They now serve nine counties, with partnerships extending to 11–12 counties. BCF acts as a “charitable bank,” helping individuals and organizations direct resources to causes they care about. Services include: Donor-advised funds (DAFs); Endowment management; Montana Endowment Tax Credit; Pass-through accounts; Fiscal sponsorships; and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). BCF supports local nonprofits by focusing on board education, teaching financial literacy and fiduciary responsibilities; partnering with the United Way and the Chamber of Commerce to train nonprofit boards and executive directors; and offering fiscal sponsorship, bookkeeping, and grant reporting services. The presentation ended with a Q&A with the membership.

MFWP Update - June 15, 2026

Rotary of Billings Student Scholarship Recipients

The scholarship winners were chosen by their schools as top candidates, and the Rotary committee selected the final six. Those present included:

1. Bryn Solgard (Billings Central)

2. Coralie Seymour (Lockwood)

3. McLean Olsen (Senior High)

4. Ava Greenwood (Skyview)

5. Luke Monson (Billings Christian)

Kellen Edward from West High was unable to attend. Each recipient received a Rotary coin from President Tom as a memento and encouragement to consider future Rotarian involvement.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP)

Mike and Chrissy from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department. Mike, with FWP since 1994, holds a Master’s in Natural Resources and has held various leadership roles, currently serving as Director of Region Five. Chrissy, a Billings native, joined FWP in 2020 and transitioned in 2022 to Regional Communications and Education Manager, responsible for public outreach, media relations, and conservation education programs. FWP’s organizational framework includes a Public Affairs Manager overseeing licensing and communications, a vacant Deputy Director position initiated under the Gianforte administration, Centralized Enforcement and Legal units, a Chief of Administration (budgets, IT, HR), a Chief of Operations (supervising regional programs), and a Chief of Conservation Policy (coordinating with state parks board and commissioners, and overseeing the reconsolidated Research Unit). FWP collaborates extensively with federal and tribal partners. There are 12 federally recognized tribes across 7 reservations; FWP works through formal agreements on license sales, wildlife distribution, and habitat access. Montana has 11 forests in which FWP coordinates on habitat and access projects and provides input on forest management plans. FWP collaborates with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on species such as grizzly bears; a recent example involved the removal of a depredating bear after it killed calves. FWP also works with the BLM on joint access and habitat initiatives and the National Parks.