Pub. 9 2021 Issue 2

6 The Community Banker mibonline.org As the reader likely knows, MIB purposefully holds its annual convention at a location within Montana because first, the Association wants to recognize the Montana Independent Bankers Association is just that – a Montana-based association for Montana banks. Second, in a similar manner to which our banks operate, MIB desires to reinvest our convention-generated dollars into a local Montana community. This latter situation results in a win-win scenario both for our organization and our Montana community banking partners. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that the 2022 MIB Annual Convention will be held in Whitefish, and in 2023, we are slated to return to Big Sky for the first time in many years. As such, I invite you and your banking colleagues to join us again next year – and in future years – for food, fun, and professional advancement. I have stated it many times – it is both an honor and a privilege to serve as MIB’s Executive Director. Putting on the annual state convention is one of my favorite work tasks. The 2021 convention was the ninth convention I have hosted, and I always appreciate this unique opportunity to interact personally with professionals like you, who are dedicated to their business and their local community. I appreciate the trust the Association’s members have placed in me and the MIB team, Terri and Marie. I hope we have repaid that trust by providing our membership with top-notch member services. In closing, I would like to leave you with this thought. I know many of MIB’s members worked extra hard during the pandemic to help individual customers and businesses survive the economic harm that followed. This dedication on your part demonstrates firsthand all the good that MIB members and associate members do. I encourage you to reflect on your role in making Montana the ‘Last Best Place.’ James Brown, Esq. MIB Executive Director I have stated it many times – it is both an honor and a privilege to serve as MIB’s Executive Director. Putting on the annual state convention is one of my favorite work tasks. The 2021 convention was the ninth convention I have hosted, and I always appreciate this unique opportunity to interact personally with professionals like you, who are dedicated to their business and their local community. Continued fromPage 4