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. 

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.

Northwestern Montana – March 7 to March 13, 2025

Written in 1972 by 100 delegates from across the state, the Montana Constitution protects our freedom, privacy, and dignity.
To celebrate this revolutionary document, Upper Seven Law is hitting the road to talk about the foundations of a functioning democracy, the rule of law, and the ways the Montana Constitution brings Montana values to life. Upper Seven is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable, and making our special constitution accessible to everyone.

Upcoming Montana Constitution Roadshow Dates

• Friday, March 7: Polson Public Library at 6:30 PM
• Saturday, March 8: Bigfork Public Library at 12:00 PM
• Sunday, March 9: Eureka North Point Bar and Grill at 11:30 AM
• Sunday, March 9: Libby KW Maki Theatre at 5:00 PM
• Monday, March 10: Kalispell Public Library at 12:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 11: Whitefish Community Library at 5:30 PM
• Wednesday, March 12: Montana Tap House in Whitefish at 7:00 PM
• Thursday, March 13: Plains Public Library at 11:00 AM
• Thursday, March 13: Thompson Falls Rex Theater at 5:30 PM

February 13, 2025 at Noon in Montana’s Capitol Rotunda

Join the 2025 “I ❤️ the Constitution” Rally on February 13 in Helena, where we’ll come together to celebrate and protect the core values that uphold our democracy.

Organized by Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, Northern Plains Resource Council, Forward Montana, and the League of Women Voters, this rally will take place at the Capitol Rotunda starting at 12 PM, and we need your voice to help defend the rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. As challenges to our civil liberties continue to grow, it’s more important than ever that we stand united in support of the rule of law and the principles that safeguard our future.

This event will feature speeches from former Governor Marc Racicot, Rylee Sommers-Flanagan of Upper Seven Law and retired District Judge Jim Manley, as well as insightful discussions, and a chance to connect with others who care deeply about preserving our constitutional rights. It’s a time to stand together and show our shared commitment to a fair and just system for all Montanans.

The “I ❤️ the Montana Constitution” Rally is supported by Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, Forward Montana, Northern Plains Resource Council, the League of Women Voters, the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, and the Friends of the Montana Constitution.