Paul Lachapelle, Associate Professor and Extension Community Development Specialist, Montana State University
Dan Clark, Director, Local Government Center, Montana State University
Blake Christensen, Associate Director, Local Government Center, Montana State University
Understanding Community Capacity Building.
With the recent centennial of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914,
Cooperative Extension educators working through Land Grant Universities
have many years of experience to draw on. This session provides a
broad overview of the role of community development in Extension across
the US and outlines specific programming in Montana. Programs includes
content in local government research and technical assistance,
community foundation education, leadership development, and work with
tribal communities. Discussion will be oriented toward understanding
the role of Extension within the broader community development
framework.
Paul Lachapelle
Paul is the Montana State University Extension Community
Development Specialist. His general responsibilities involve providing
research, technical assistance and workshops on various community
development topics to strengthen the social, economic and environmental
well-being of communities across the state. Specifically, he works
toward providing resources and programs in many areas, including
community strategic visioning, leadership development, community tourism
and development.
Dan Clark
Dan Clark joined the Local Government Center in April 2008.
Previously, he served as the Statewide Director for the Montana
Horizons program from 2006 to 2008. Dan also worked as a Montana State
University Extension faculty member in Teton County from 1997 to
2006. During this time, he served as Mayor of Choteau, Montana for four
years. He earned his Bachelors and Masters Degree from the University
of Arizona in Agricultural Education and taught high school
agriculture for three years before joining Extension.
Blake Christensen
As Associate Director of the Local Government Center, Blake provides
training, facilitation, and technical assistance to local governments
and organizations across the state of Montana. Previous to his current
position, Blake served as associate general legal counsel for a large
international maritime company, where he counseled executive leadership
on legal liability and business transactions. He earned his bachelor's
degree in political science from Brigham Young University and juris
doctor degree from William & Mary Law School.
Registration
Register today to receive the Early Bird
rate of $295, a $100 discount, offered to the first 50 paid
registrants. Your conference registration fee covers the opening
reception, lunch on Wednesday, breaks on Wednesday and Thursday and all
of your learning and networking materials. Click on the link below for
registration.
Lodging
Snow King Resort is offering our
participants a preferred rate of $139 per night. This rate is valid
through September 10 or until the reserved room block has filled.
On-site Resort features include a restaurant serving local cuisine, spa
and fitness facility and an outdoor swimming pool. For visitors who
want to visit nearby natural amenities, Grand Teton National Park is
just a short drive north of the town of Jackson and Yellowstone
National Park is about three hours away. Click on this link to reserve your lodging. | 
