Hello and welcome from the Friends of Montana PBS.
Our organization is here to support and extend the mission of Montana PBS, and to help connect Montanans across our vast and varied state.
As our news and information environment becomes noisier all the time, Montana PBS continues to offer relevant and trusted programming. With rich and well-supported children’s programming, high-quality arts and entertainment offerings, and state and national news, Montana PBS serves all ages and stages of life. Jump into this website to explore all we offer.
We invite you to join us by becoming a member of the Friends of Montana PBS. As a member you have access to the convenient PBS app as well as to Montana PBS Passport, which provides extended streaming access to favorite PBS shows.
We hope you find value in our programs and welcome you to the PBS family.
Sincerely,
Peg Wherry
Board Chair, Friends of Montana PBS
Mission Statement
Our mission is to support Montana PBS through advocacy, community engagement and fundraising.
Advocacy
From the Latin word "advocare" meaning to summon, call to one’s aid. Advocacy is the public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.
Community Engagement
Community engagement refers to the process by which community benefit organizations and individuals build ongoing, permanent relationships for the purpose of applying a collective vision for the benefit of a community.
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising (also known as "development") is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions of money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies.
Directors & Board Members
Billings | Joel Krautter, Tom Schlotterback
Bozeman | Aaron Pruitt, Peg Wherry, Cody Stone, Linda Babcock, Chris Fastnow
Glasgow | Doug Allie
Great Falls | Jessica Crist, Susan Taleff, Bob Kelly
Havre | Krystal Steinmetz, Paul Tuss
Helena | Abbie Cziok, Jen Hensley
Missoula | Anne Hosler, Adrea Lawrence, Rachel Gregg, Mary Sheehy Moe
Martinsdale| Gayle Berg
Poplar |Lori Smoker
Somers | Mike Young
Sidney | Katie Dasinger
Friends of Montana PBS
Governance Calendar
2026-2027
July 1, 2026 Fiscal Year Begins
July 17-18 (Fri PM-Sat) 2025-2026 Quarterly Corporate Board Meeting
Review minutes and financials
Vote on any bylaws and policy changes.
Annual Membership Meeting
Election of new board directors
Year-end reports from committees and stations
Annual Corporate Board Meeting
Election of officers
Election of committee chairs
Selection and election of committee members
Signing of confidentiality and Conflict of Interest agreements
Committees plan year — meeting times, goals and action plans
Schedule board and committee meetings for the year — times, locations and topics
August 12 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
September 9 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
October 14 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
November 18 (5:30-7pm) Electronic Board Meeting
Financials Reviewed
Reports using consent agenda process
Discussion of national meetings/participants in 2027 (APTS, PBS)
No Executive Committee Meeting in November
December 9 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
January 13, 2027 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
February 10 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
March 10 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
March 19-20 (Fri PM-Sat) Corporate Board Meeting - (location TBD)
Financials reviewed
Long-range planning
Educational sessions
Committee updates on progress and action plans
Preliminary budget planning for next fiscal year
April 14 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
May 12 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
May 26 (5:30-7:00pm) Electronic Board meeting
Finance and Audit present budget for next fiscal year discussion and passage
Governance Committee report with recommendations for 2027-2028 board directors and officers
Pending Policy and Bylaws changes presented if necessary
June 9 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting
July 14 (3:30-5pm) Executive Committee Meeting (if needed)
July 16-17 (Fri PM- Sat) Annual Meetings – (location TBD)
Friends of MontanaPBS
