MNPS Awards Policy

The Montana Native Plant Society will have two awards. The Outstanding Service Award will be given no more than once a year to a member of MNPS for service to the Society. The award will consist of a certificate accompanied by an individualized gift. The Special Achievement Award may be awarded to anyone, member or not, whose work has contributed to the mission and goals of MNPS. The award will consist of a certificate and possibly a small gift. Several Special Achievement Awards may be given in a year at the discretion of the awards committee. Neither award has to be given in any year if the awards committee fails to find suitable candidates. The awards will be presented at the annual meeting of the Society. The call for award nominations will be published in the winter issue of Kelseya and any member may make a nomination. The awards committee must receive nominations no later than April 1. All nominations should include a brief statement about the nominee’s contribution to MNPS and relate why the nominee should receive an award.

MNPS Issues Policy

The MNPS Board has established a policy on how chapters, area representatives, or others can submit comments representing the Society on an issue. Any letter taking a position on an issue should be reviewed by the appropriate state committee chair and the President to ensure there is no conflict with statewide positions. The President will confirm that true representation has occurred and MNPS is reflected in a professional manner. The state committee chair will confirm that the position is consistent with the purpose, goals and mission of MNPS. The President can waive the need for the state committee chair to review the letter if the chair cannot be contacted in a timely manner.

MNPS Field Trips: Preparation and Policies

MNPS offers a variety of field trips across the state with different levels of difficulty.  Please read the field trip description and contact the trip leader with any questions to be sure the trip meets your expectations, physical abilities, and equipment.

Some field trips have size limits.  Most trip leaders request that you call to reserve a spot and call again if your plans change.  Don’t be a no-show at the meeting place if you reserve a spot.

Generally, children are welcome on field trips.  Ask the trip leader if the activity is appropriate for your children.

Be prepared.  Wear appropriate clothes and shoes.  Bring food, water, extra clothes, raingear, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, hat, and any other personal gear you might need.  Montana weather can change rapidly. 

Tell a family member or friend where you are going, when you expect to be home, and the name and contact number of the trip leader.

If you have a health condition, including allergies, that could affect you during the field trip, tell the trip leader and carry any medications you need. 

If the field trip is a hike, be alert for obstacles in the trail, like rocks, roots, and downed logs.  It is easy to trip or slip when you are busy looking at the trailside flora.

Be aware of wildlife you might encounter and know how to behave to avoid conflicts.  Montana is home to bears, deer, elk, moose, snakes, mountain lions, bees, and many other species that are wonderful to see from a safe distance.

Please leave dogs and firearms at home, in fairness to other participants and wildlife.

The Montana Native Plant Society assumes no liability for personal injury or loss of property on MNPS sponsored field trips.  Each participant will be asked to sign an attendance sheet and liability waiver before starting the field trip. Policy developed April 2005

President, Dave Hanna, Choteau
Past President, Susan Winslow, Bridger
Vice President, Karen Shelly, Missoula
Secretary, Patrick Plantenberg, Townsend, pplantenberg@mt.gov
Treasurer, Madeline Mazurski, Missoula
Newsletter Editors, Jackie Cohen, Lolo
Western MT Representative, Judy Hutchins
Eastern MT Representative, Wayne Phillips
Website maintenance, Marilyn Marler, Missoula, marler@bigsky.net
For chapter presidents, see the page on Chapters

Committees

Conservation Committee Chair, Peter Lesica, Missoula
Landscape/Revegetation Committee Chair, Kathy Settevendemie, P.O. Box 761, Bonner, MT 59823, 406/244-5800
Small Grants Committee Chair, Cathie Jean, Ennis, Cathie_Jean@hughes.net
Membership Committee Chair, Marijka Wessner, Missoula, weedwoman@missoulaeduplace.org