APPLICANT INFORMATION
Closing Date:  October 25, 2009

The Blackfoot Community Conservation Area (BCCA) Council is responsible for managing, on behalf of the community, the 5,609-acre Core area of the BCCA.  To represent the diversity of community interests, the Council is comprised of 15 people, five each from three different categories, including 1) private landowners, 2) agencies/organizations owning land within or adjacent to the Core (the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and The Nature Conservancy), and 3) user groups (recreationists, sportsmen and women, businesses and educational representatives).

The Council is currently seeking applicants to fill four two-year term positions, beginning January 1, 2010 and terminating December 31, 2011.*  The Council will review applications at the monthly meeting in November, develop their recommendations for Council membership and submit those recommendations to the Blackfoot Challenge Board of Directors for final approval. 

Selection is based primarily on three criteria:  1) the individual’s ability to be an active participant for their term of appointment, 2) the individual’s willingness to work positively and cooperatively to reach management decisions that best meet the goals of the BCCA, and 3) diversity of representation. 

The position requires two to five hours per month to attend Council meetings and/or work groups, including forestry, grazing/weeds, or recreation/education/wildlife.  Council members may choose a work group of their interest and are expected to attend meetings on a regular basis, participate in the discussion, be able to listen to opposing points of view, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the valley at large.

To apply for a position on the Council, please respond to the following questions:

1. Why do you want to serve on the Council?
2. What qualifications do you bring?
3. Which category or categories would you best represent?
4. Do you have any scheduling constraints?  (Monthly Council meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at the Ovando Fire Hall.  Please let us know if you are able to attend monthly meetings on a regular basis or which, if any, you may need to miss.)

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the next monthly meeting scheduled Tuesday, October 6, 4-6 p.m. at the Ovando Fire Hall, join work group meetings through October to learn more. 

Please respond by mailing or emailing your application to:

Blackfoot Challenge
c/o BCCA Council
PO Box 103
Ovando, MT 59854
ali@blackfootchallenge.org

Thanks much for volunteering to participate in this exciting project of community involvement and service. We continue to break new ground and look forward to your help.  For more information on the BCCA, see www.blackfootchallenge.org.  Please don’t hesitate to call with questions – (406) 793-5103 or contact other Council members.

Bob Rowland, BCCA Council Chair

*Members are eligible for reappointment to a second term. After serving two terms, a person must take a two year break (one term) before reapplying for Council membership.