Join the Friends of the Montana Constitution for a special presentation with three former legislators who all had the unique experience of serving before and after Montana’s 1972 Constitution was implemented. Discover how our constitution opened up government to the people, giving new power to legislators and local government, and shined a light on how decisions are made.

THE BEFORE AND AFTER TIMES:
Serving in the Montana Legislature Before and After Montana’s 1972 Constitution

Monday, June 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM in Billings

Featuring Former Legislators Dorothy Bradley, Bob Brown and Tom Towe
Facilitated by Joel Krautter

The Before and After Times: A FREE Public Presentation
Hosted by the Friends of the Montana Constitution
Monday, June 15, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Petro Theatre, MSU-Billings Campus, 1500 University Drive

Montana’s 1889 Constitution was written to serve the needs of Montana’s powerful special interests. As a result, the Anaconda Mining Company and other corporate interests had an outsized influence over state governance. In the winter of 1972, 100 Montanans wrote a new constitution that strengthened the governorship, opened up the legislature, and empowered citizens.

Dorothy Bradley, Bob Brown, and Tom Towe had the unique experience of serving in Montana’s Legislature before and after Montana’s new constitution took effect. Prior to the 1972 Constitution there were no requirements for open meetings, roll call votes, public participation and notice of meetings. Montana’s 1972 Constitution opened up government to the people, giving new power to legislators and local government, and shined a light on how decisions are made.

Join this free panel discussion to learn more about “the before and after times” of Montana’s 1972 Constitution and why this most special document continues to serve “We the People.”

About the Speakers:

Dorothy Bradley was elected to eight terms in the Montana House of Representatives, serving from 1971 to 1978 and 1985 to 1992. She currently resides in Clyde Park and is a Board Member for the Friends of the Montana Constitution and an Advisory Board Member for American Prairie.

Bob Brown was a member of the Montana Legislature for nearly 30 years. He was also Senate President, Montana Secretary of State and a Candidate for Governor. Bob is retired in Whitefish and is a Board Member for the Friends of the Montana Constitution.

Tom Towe served in the Legislature for 20 years, four years in the house and 16 years in the Senate. Also, he served for 4 years as the first Chairman of the Montana State Parks and Recreation Board. Tom lives in Billings and is a frequent speaker on the new Constitution.

Joel Krautter served one term in the Montana House of Representatives in 2019 and is an attorney practicing in Billings and Sidney. He is a co-founder and board member of the Friends of the Montana Constitution.

The Friends of the Montana Constitution is a nonpartisan statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring appreciation of Montana’s Constitution, advancing civics education, and celebrating the legacy of the 1972 Constitutional Convention and its delegates. This presentation is funded in part by the Montana 250 Commission and is part of a two-day “Teaching Montana’s Constitution: A Summer Workshop for Educators” held on the MSU-B Campus.

A Montana Constitution Presentation

Featuring:

Mae Nan Ellingson and Jerry Loendorf,
Delegates to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention

With the Powell County Commission
Celebrating 125 Years: 1901-1926
Deer Lodge, Montana

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM

RSVP to Erin Fouche, 406-846-9788 x242

Join this free presentation hosted by the Powell County Commissioners Office on Montana’s 1972 Constitution. Hear from two Constitutional Convention Delegates, Mae Nan Ellingson and Jerry Loendorf, on the factors that led to a calling a convention, why they chose to run as delegates, what it was like to craft a new constitution, and how it continues to serve the People of Montana.

Mae Nan [Robinson] Ellingson was the youngest delegate to the 1972 Constitutional Constitutional Convention. She was elected as a 24-year-old graduate student at the University of Montana. After the Convention, she became a lawyer, first working for the City of Missoula and then for 33 years specializing in the finance of public infrastructure throughout the state at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. She retired in 2013, but continued to do pro bono work for non-profit organizations. She is active in many community organizations including the Friends of the Montana Constitution and, as one of seven delegates remaining, she gladly talks about the Constitution and the 1972 ConCon. She has two sons and four grandchildren.

Jerome T. Loendorf graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carroll College, Helena, Montana, in 1961, and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Montana at Missoula in 1964. Jerry served as a law clerk for the Montana Supreme Court in 1965; Lewis and Clark County Public Defender in 1968; Lewis and Clark Deputy County Attorney in 1970; and was elected a Delegate to Montana’s Constitutional Convention in 1971. Following the Convention he publicly advocated ratification of the Constitution by the voters of Montana by speaking to many organizations on that subject. He participated in the litigation challenging the ratification of the Constitution including serving as a Montana Special Assistant Attorney General for purposes of representing the State of Montana in the Federal court case challenging the results of the election ratifying Montana’s Constitution. He was a member of the law firm, Harrison, Loendorf, Poston and Duncan, P.C. from 1966 through 2003.

The Friends of the Montana Constitution is a nonpartisan statewide nonprofit organization working to inspire appreciation of Montana’s Constitution, support civic education at all levels, and celebrate the legacy of the 1972 Constitutional Convention.

June 14-16, 2026 – Billings, Montana

Teaching Montana’s Constitution: A Summer Workshop for Educators, will bring together Montana teachers for an in-person professional development opportunity focused on incorporating the story of Montana’s Constitution in their social studies, history, and/or government curriculum. Organized by the Friends of the Montana Constitution, a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit, this workshop assembles constitutional experts, historians, retired public servants, and current educators to dive deep into the history of Montana’s unique 1972 Constitution and the people who wrote it. Teachers will leave the workshop not only with new materials and resources, but also with new strategies for incorporating Montana history into their classrooms in exciting and engaging ways.

Target Audience: Montana Educators, either High School or Middle School levels, teaching history, government, civics, english language arts and/or social studies. 

Cost: FREE! Lodging and two daily meals are provided, along with a travel stipend. Download the workshop flyer.

Registration is now open! We anticipate space and funding for 30 teachers from across Montana to participate. Registration closes June 2, 2026.

Renewal Units: Participants who attend the full two days will receive 12 OPI Renewal Units 

Location: MSU Billings Campus, SUB with overnight lodging in the Petro Residence Hall 

Session Topics Include: A primer on Montana’s Constitution, stories of the delegates to the 1972 Constitutional Convention including C. Louise Cross, the role of Judges, the history of MT in the 60’s & 70’s, Montana Con Law, how Article X led to Indian Education for All, understanding the initiative process and the role of the legislature, and more! 

Presenters Include: Betsy Griffing, retired adjunct Professor of Montana Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Litigator; Pat Cotter, retired Montana Supreme Court Justice; Constance Van Kley, Assistant Professor with the Alexander Blewett III School of Law; Emily Cross, Billings Attorney and Granddaughter of C. Louise Cross- ConCon Delegate; Brad Faulhaber, Gov’t and Criminal Law Teacher with Sidney Public Schools; and Susan Fox, Retired Montana Legislative Services Director. More speakers will be announced soon!

Sponsors: This workshop is organized by the Friends of the Montana Constitution with support and funding from the Montana 250 Commission and the Montana Historical Society. 

Contact: Julia Gustafson, Organizational & Community Outreach Coordinator for the Friends of the Montana Constitution, coordinator@montanaconstitution.org

On March 22, 1972, all 100 delegates of the Montana Constitutional Convention signed a new constitution for the State of Montana. So just as we celebrate Constitution Day in the U.S. on September 17 to commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution, the Friends of the Montana Constitution are calling on Montanans to commemorate our State Constitution every year on March 22 – Montana Constitution Day!

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2026 Montana Constitution Day – Celebration in Helena

March 20, 2026

For the first annual Montana Constitution Day, the Friends of the Montana Constitution invite the public to join a free lecture by the Honorable Anthony Johnstone on Montana’s Constitution at the new Montana Heritage Center in Helena, Montana. 

• Date: Friday, March 20, 2026 
• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Remarks begin at 10:30 AM followed by a Q&A
  • Light refreshments will be provided at 10:00 AM
• Location: Big Sky Hall at the Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601
• Keynote: The Honorable Anthony Johnstone, Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, will present “The Montana Constitution in Time” with an introduction from Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Cory Swanson.

The first annual Montana Constitution Day is sponsored by the Montana Historical Society and the Friends of the Montana Constitution.

Being in the Right Place at Right Time: Mae Nan Ellingson and Jerry Loendorf reflect on being delegates to the 1972 Constitutional Convention

In connection with Montana Constitution Day, the Montana Historical Society is hosting a special Thursday night lecture with Mae Nan (Robinson) Ellingson and Jerome Loendorf, two delegates to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention.

Being in the Right Place at the Right Time, Thursday, March 19, 2026, 6:30-7:30pm, Montana Heritage Center

Mae Nan (Robinson) Ellingson was just 24 years old when she served as the youngest delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Ellingson will be joined by fellow Convention Delegate, Jerry Loendorf, who was only 32 when he served, representing Helena and District 12.

Ellingson and Loendorf will share stories about why they decided to run, the election process, how they prepared for the challenge of writing a constitution, the workings of the convention, and their memories of other delegates.

This is free in-person only event. However, the presentation will be recorded and posted to the Montana Historical Society’s YouTube page.

MTHS Community Lecture Series

A Special Montana Constitution Lecture

Thursday, March 19, 2026

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Montana Heritage Center

225 Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601

Free Webinar from the Montana State Library
Documenting Montana’s Constitutional History: 1867, 1884, 1889, & 1972
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6:30PM
Presented by Rich Aarstad, State Archivist at the Montana Historical Society, and Jennifer Birnel, Director of the Montana History Portal for the Montana State Library.

Webinar Description:
Did Thomas Francis Meagher take a copy of the 1867 Montana Constitution with him to the grave? Why did statehood take so long? Ever wonder why the 1884 constitution went from viable to liable, and yet laid the groundwork for 1889 and statehood? Constitutional writing in the 20th century, will it stand the test of time? Join Montana State Archivist Rich Aarstad as he tracks Montana’s constitutional history through the historical records of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives collections followed by Jennifer Birnel of the Montana History Portal to teach you how to use the portal to do research of your own.

Register here: https://msl.mt.gov/libraries/lifelonglearning/Virtual-Programming/March-20261

The Montana State Library offers a Montana Library Network (MLN) Virtual Programming Monthly Series. The goals of this series are to provide high-quality and interesting topics and information to Montanans, opportunities for public libraries to become familiar with publicizing and participating in virtual program offerings for their communities, and opportunities for Montanans to connect with others around the state on topics of interest. All programs start at 6:30 PM. Learn more at https://www.msl.mt.gov/libraries/lifelonglearning/Virtual-Programming/MLNVirtualProgrammingSeries

Friday, September 19, 2025

Billings Reception and Public Presentation for the Friends of the Montana Constitution

The Friends of the Montana Constitution is headed to Billings! Please join us for a public presentation and reception in celebration of Montana’s unique constitution on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM at the Western Heritage Center. Nancy Leifer, Secretary-Treasurer of FMC and immediate Past President of Montana League of Women Voters, will share an “Exploration of the Historic 1972 Constitutional Convention and its Legacy” at 5:30 PM. Light refreshments will be provided along with a no host bar.

The Friends of the Montana Constitution is a statewide nonprofit working to inspire appreciation of the Montana Constitution and celebrate the legacy of the 1972 Constitutional Convention. Created in 2022 after the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the ConCon, the Friends of the Montana Constitution is the successor to the Montana Constitution Society, which consisted solely of ConCon Delegates.

Friends of the Third Branch CLE – September 26, 2025

Join Friends of the Third Branch, the Brennan Center for Justice, legislators, and judges who will discuss national trends in judicial selection, legislation affecting the judiciary, and insights into what we might expect in the near future. Hosted by Friends of the Third Branch.

• Friday, September 26 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm
• Missoula, MT
• Register Here: https://friendsofthethirdbranch.org/

This Continuing Legal Education Program is open to the public and will cover:

• Montana Bills impacting the Judiciary
• The Nine, LLEW, and You
• Trends in Judicial Selection
• Reflections on Being a Judge in Today’s America

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 10 AM

The Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition is hosting a webinar on the Montana Constitution and how it impacts the state’s agricultural community. The webinar will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 28 10AM-11:30AM. Registration is required and attendance is limited to 40.

Speakers will include representatives from the Friends of the Montana Constitution. The webinar will be recorded and available on Grow Montana’s website for future viewing.

An email with zoom link will be sent to the email you provide when registering.
Questions? Email Maura Henn at coalition@growmt.org

The Montana Constitution Roadshow is headed to Eastern Montana this spring! These free presentations from Upper 7 Law celebrate the revolutionary document. Written in 1972 by 100 delegates from across our state, the Montana Constitution protects our freedom, privacy, and dignity. Find a session near you and learn about the foundations of a functioning democracy, the rule of law, and the ways the Montana Constitution brings Montana values to life.

Spring Tour Dates:

• Bozeman – April 28th, 2025 at 5:30-6:30 PM
• Billings – April 29th, 2025 at 5:30-6:30 PM
• Miles City – May 2, 2025 at 5:30–6:30 PM
• Terry – May 3, 2025 at 1:00–2:00 PM
• Glendive – May 3, 2025 at 4:00–5:00 PM
• Sidney – May 5, 2025 at 6:00–7:00 PM
• Glasgow – May 6, 2025 at 4:30–5:30 PM
• Malta – May 8, 2025 at 5:30–6:30 PM
• Havre – May 13, 2025 at 12:00–1:00 PM

Learn more and register here.