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<p dir="ltr"><span>Dear ,</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>NCBI Missoula has some big news about our future and as an essential contributor to the foundation and success of our organization I am excited to share it with you. This summer NCBI Missoula will become EmpowerMT and a fully independent 501(c)(3) organization! Here is a little context about why this is happening.</span><span><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>In 1998 a group of campus and community leaders, including our founder, Amie Thurber, were looking for ways to address pervasive prejudice and violence in the state. Amie and Kaycee Shilke attended a training put on by NCBI International and shortly after Missoula became home to a campus chapter and a community chapter operating under NCBI International’s non-profit status. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Over the past 18 years NCBI Missoula has evolved and grown into the largest NCBI chapter in the United States. We began working with more youth and schools; creating after-school programming and a K-12 leadership pipeline, built coalitions, and provided training and resource to an increasing number of businesses and organizations across the state of Montana. This growth is tribute to the incredible support of our dedicated volunteers, donors, staff, and partners. During this time NCBI Missoula began to develop our curriculum and programming independently of NCBI International curriculum to best meet the needs of Missoula and Montana. </span><span><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>NCBI Missoula’s Board of Directors felt that it was time for us to take our next step in development and become a fully independent organization. We will be continuing our historic partnership with NCBI International as an organizational affiliate. We are so proud of the work we have done throughout Montana as NCBI Missoula and strongly believe that moving forward as EmpowerMT will provide even more opportunities to develop leaders, strengthen communities & organizations, and end mistreatment.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>We chose the name EmpowerMT for two reasons. First it clearly articulates our core mission which is to empower leaders to create more just communities. Secondly, EmpowerMT speaks to our aspiration to be seen as a statewide resource and expand the reach of our mission. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>The staff and board of EmpowerMT are really excited about this next big step as an organization. The coming weeks and months will be critical for us as we get the word out about this change. Your belief, generosity and support has been vital to our success and impact, moving forward as EmpowerMT we will need your leadership more than ever! </span></p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p><span><span><img src="https://assets.littlegreenlight.com/media/W1siZiIsIjIwMTYvMDcvMjYvMWo1N21iZWoycV9IZWlkaV9zaWduYXR1cmUuanBlZyJdXQ?sha=69fca7c94b7e0cd4" border="0" alt="Heidi's Signature" width="143" height="44" /><br /></span></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Heidi Wallace - Executive Director, EmpowerMT</span></p>
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