“REAL Montana allows leaders from different sectors get to know one another and learn the ins and outs of a different industry,” states Matakis. Class members discuss trade issues with diplomats at the Embassy of Japan during the Washington, D.C., seminar.
Class 1 toured the Calumet refinery in Great Falls, Mont., during the second seminar. Participant Whitney Klasna, a farmer and rancher in the Bakken north of Lambert, shares similar feedback. She’d heard of leadership programs that had more of a single-industry focus. “But never has there been an educational leadership program that focused on both agriculture and natural resources together,” she says. “Where else can you learn about wheat genetics and oil refining in one seminar?” In addition to industry tours throughout the state, the program provides mediarelations training, a trip to Washington D.C. to wrestle with policy-making matters, and an international trip. Class 1 will head to China in 2015 to learn
more about international trade and connections to Montana industries. When traveling far from their home communities, the students often uncover far-reaching economic connections and decision-making effects. While on their D.C. trip, the class visited NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Booth commented how on the surface, one might ask, “What does this have to do with us?” It turns out, quite a bit. “Data from satellites – temperature of the oceans, weather patterns, soil moisture – this is information that can affect policy.” According to Matakis, emerging leaders,
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whatever their stance on an issue, need to get actively engaged with such topics. “The most important lesson I have taken home is that sitting back and watching something happen is not going to help any issue,” he says. “We, as leaders, must be willing to stand up and take an active role in our industries and be willing to help others in other industries.” Whether in-state or far from home, participants have been impressed by the topic diversity and practical tips. Vogel appreciated a media seminar they attended in Billings, where the students had a chance to practice live interviewing with TV and radio news broadcasters. “[It taught us] how to prevent mistakes, stay calm during interviews, and get our message out,” Vogel says. “I immediately applied this to my professional career and have subsequently had articles published that, before, I would not have known how to submit.” Booth is excited to see how much the current class is already benefitting from the program. “These are people who will fill leadership roles, who will ease gridlock in policy-making,” she says. “We’re not pushing an agenda. What is best for everyone is having strong leadership skills. We put a lot of emphasis on communication.” Booth adds that, while the current class is comprised predominantly of emerging ag-sector leaders, they’re welcoming