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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.
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLUB

Ryan Cremer, Executive Director of Family Service

The presentation serves to update the Rotary Club on the progress of its annual food basket campaign and to feature a detailed overview by Ryan, Executive Director of Family Service, of the organization’s programs, impact, and community needs. Ryan Cremer has served as Executive Director for 4 years, previously as Development Director, with 20 years in nonprofit work and 13 years in fundraising and management. Founded in 1906 by pastors to assist sick children and families in crisis, originally provided medication and clothing; no longer religiously affiliated. Core mission: to assist those facing homelessness, poverty, and hunger in Yellowstone County.

Family Service has distributed over 3 million pounds of food annually to nearly 80,000 individuals across Southeast Montana. Family Service operates at a 93% program efficiency rate, with nearly all donations going directly to services. The organization supports more than food: rent, utility, deposit, vision, and education assistance programs are critical. It serves 100,000+ individuals annually, including seniors, children, and low-income families, many of whom rely on it for social connection.

Jo-Ellen Cree, Regional Tribal Operations Officer for the Rocky Mountain Area of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Jo-Ellen is a 38-year veteran of the agency. Her presentation focused on building stronger relationships with tribal nations and communities throughout the region. She explained that the BIA oversees services to seven reservations and nine tribal nations in the Rocky Mountain Area, with responsibilities that include protecting resources, supporting tribal sovereignty and self-governance, managing land and natural resources, and coordinating programs involving education, law enforcement, health services, economic development, and agriculture.

 

 

Getting to know Alani Bankhead, an Independent Candidate for the U.S. Senate

Born into a military family, she spent her childhood moving frequently before ultimately making Montana her home in 2021. She graduated from with a focus on Latin American studies and crime, then embarked on a distinguished 12-year career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During her military service, she worked with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), specializing in counterintelligence and child exploitation investigations, and served as a senior bodyguard to the Secretary of the Air Force. Her career also included deployment to Iraq, where she participated in operations targeting Al-Qaeda leadership.
 

Following her military retirement, she became the International Director of Investigations for the International Justice Mission, leading efforts to protect vulnerable populations around the world. After relocating to Hawaii, she developed and led innovative initiatives including Operation Keiki Shield, which utilized undercover officers posing as children to identify predators, and Operation Shine the Light, focused on locating missing and runaway foster youth. She also partnered with Lulu, a highly specialized digital detection canine trained to locate electronic storage devices used in child exploitation cases. Lulu was the 23rd electronic detection dog deployed in the United States.

Today, she is the co-founder of Mighty Sparrow Coaching and the author of The Least of Us: How Your Imposter Syndrome Points to Your Greatest Power. She shares her life with her husband, Loud Bankhead, a fellow retired special agent, and together they have a daughter, Olivia, who recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday.

 

Kevin Sider, Executive Director of St. John's United

Kevin Sider has served at St. John's United for more than 23 years and has held several executive leadership roles. He studied healthcare administration at Concordia College. 
The presentation highlighted how St. John's United is preparing for Montana's aging population through expanded senior living options, wellness-focused care, healthcare services, and the large planned Wyndstone patio home development.
 
St. John's United began at St. John's Lutheran Church about 60 years ago. The organization focuses on a continuum of care, allowing residents to move through levels of care as needs change. They strongly emphasize wellness programs, social connections, educational lectures, cultural events, artistic opportunities, spiritual care, child-care services, and nursing apprenticeship programs. 
 
 

Make a Difference: Upcoming Rotary Volunteer Opportunities

One of the best parts of Rotary is the opportunity to make a difference in our community by working together. As we look ahead to our upcoming volunteer events, we encourage all members to get involved, lend a hand, and invite others to join us.

Whether you're a longtime member or looking for your first opportunity to serve, every helping hand makes a difference. These events are a great way to put Rotary's spirit of service into action, connect with fellow members, and support the community we call home.

Mark your calendars and join us! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and continuing to make a positive impact together.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Scheel's: 10AM-6PM December 12th. Show up and show off your Christmas and Rotary spirit! Contact Andy Elting or Ernie Ross to reserve your spot today.

Filling Food Baskets for Family Service: 9-10AM December 11th. Join a 30+ year Billings Rotary Tradition. Contact Christine Maragos for more information.

MEETING INFO
Map of Montana
Mondays
Food service starts at 11:30 AM
The program starts at noon
Northern Hotel
19 N Broadway
Second Floor
Billings, MT 59101
 
Any person may attend a luncheon meeting for the price of the meal.  Lunch is served buffet-style, and there are choices for those who are sensitive to lactose and gluten.
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