City Club Missoula: Civil Conversation Key to Successful Community

Two politicians with very different views discussing pressing
community issues, followed by lively – yet civil – conversation,
makes for an informative, engaging City Club Missoula http://www.cityclubmissoula.org forum.

Sen. Wanzenreid’s theory about Montana politics that "we can
talk and listen to each other if we choose to" goes along with
City Club’s theory that listening to different points of view
and discussing them in a non-partisan environment is the most
effective way of interacting and solving problems.

City Club Missoula’s mission is to "bring together people
to inform and inspire citizens on issues vital to the Missoula
area community through public forums that encourage the
discussion of new ideas and the free exchange of thought."

City Club Missoula President Geoff Badenoch views the
club’s monthly forums featuring a variety of speakers (most
recently with the new University of Montana President Royce
Engstrom) as an opportunity for people to learn about issues
and discuss them in a friendly manner. After each speaker,
participants are encouraged to discuss their thoughts and
ideas around the tables in the room and pose questions to the
speaker.

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Please join the discussion at City Club Missoula’s next forum on March 14 at 11:30AM at the Holiday Inn Riverside where we’ll hear an update on Missoula’s Best Place Economic Development Project http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/index.aspx?nid=1004 . Reservations required [email protected]

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"If there is a contentious issue in the community, it is in our
best interest to discuss it calmly instead of forming PACS and
fighting, Badenoch says. "Diplomacy is always better than war."

Out-talking or out-shouting someone is not the way to get
business done, Badenoch says. The alternative is to listen to
someone’s point of view, hear the arguments and evidence,
and then try to compromise.

While some City Clubs in cities such as Cleveland, Denver, and
Portland have been around since the early 1900s, Missoula’s
club begun in 2004 and is the only one in Montana. Badenoch
hopes that some day there will be a network of City Clubs
throughout the state.

City Club Portland was among the first clubs formed in 1916
with the idea that "neither politics nor money were to suppress
ideas and ability. Character, intelligence, training, civicmindedness,
and a desire to help the community were wanted
and fostered."

Furthermore, "no mossbacks or drones" were invited to join,
according the lawyer who became the club’s first secretary.
Some of the more long-standing and prestigious City Clubs
have their own buildings and staff. City Club Missoula is a bit
more informal, holding forums in public meeting places and
counting on volunteers and the board of directors to promote
the club’s efforts.

In the past six years, City Club Missoula has featured
speakers from non-profits, government organizations, and
businesses. Some of the more recent forum speakers include:
UM President Royce Engstrom; former Congresswoman Pat
Schroeder; Sen. Jon Tester; Commissioner of Higher Education
Sheila Stearns; UM Professor Steve Running; Justice of the
Peace Karen Orzech; and United Way of Missoula CEO Susan
Hay Patrick.

One of City Club Missoula’s most significant accomplishments,
according to Badenoch, has been starting the youth program,
which allows high school students from the four Missoula-area
high schools to attend and participate in the monthly forums.
To keep students involved, City Club has created a student
ambassador position on the board and elected Lily Clarke, a
senior at Hellgate High School.

City Club Missoula demonstrates to students and future
leaders that civilized individuals can listen and talk to each
other and do business together, Badenoch said.
For more information on City Club Missoula, call 406.541.CITY
or go to http://www.cityclubmissoula.org.

By: Shannon Furniss

Publications Director

Bureau of Business and Economic Research

The University of Montana

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