When Kim Schweikert, MSU-Billings conference manager, informed some colleagues that she planned to approach the Yellowstone County Tavern Association (YCTA) for financial support for a planned conference on methamphetamine abuse, they expressed serious doubts about the practicality of such a move.
Schweikert, whose formal title is MSU-B Program Manager for the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning, says she believed there may be a natural alliance between the tavern owners group and professionals dealing with the burgeoning meth problem. Besides, she had nothing to lose, she reasoned.
She approached Marlon Engberg, president of the YCTA. He readily agreed to give her time on the group's next meeting agenda.
Schweikert recalls that she made her appearance and her pitch and, at it's conclusion, the discussion quickly zeroed in on the question, "How much do we give?"
"It was unanimous," Schweikert says. "I remember wondering, 'What just happened here?' It was the fastest, easiest solicitation I've ever made.
"The Yellowstone tavern owners group is very low maintenance," Schweikert said with a laugh in a June 15 interview with the Montana Tavern Times, seated beside Engberg at his Muzzleloader Cafe and Powder Horn Casino in southwest Billings.
Not only did YCTA step to the plate to contribute $15,000 with little fuss or fanfare, they then engaged their own public relations apparatus to boost awareness of, and attendance at, the conference, further aiding conference organizers in achieving their objectives.
The next thing Schweikert knew, the YCTA had produced and distributed posters publicizing the event. YCTA's Rick Kemmis, of Montana Chad's, gave radio interviews. The group printed and distributed pledge placards in member establishments that raised funds for the event.
"They ran a full publicity campaign," Schweikert says. "We were effectively able to double our marketing and public relations."
"The YCTA was more than a contributor; they became a full partner," Schweikert says. "With their immediate help, we were able to commit to this and move quickly forward." Over 160 attended.
As a result, both local television stations did news features (which happened to mention the YCTA contribution), the Billings Gazette ran a multi-part series on meth abuse and on the conference, radio stations publicized the event, and local medical newsletters carried the news. Mike McGrath, Montana Attorney General, even signed on as a keynote speaker.
As far as Engberg is concerned, the meth prevention and intervention conference was a natural project for his group, "a good project anyone can get behind. We got good feedback from the community.
"All our member comments were positive," Engberg relates. "We agreed it was important for the community. We are all aware of the severity of the problem. We see it in staff and customers. We see it in the increasing number of dangerous casino robberies."
Then Engberg grows quiet. "Some of our members have seen it in their families."
Schweikert quickly adds, "Tavern owners run good businesses. They don't want drunks or druggers in their places. That pushes away their good customers. They have an awareness of the problem. I couldn't think of a better partner.
"YCTA was interested in doing something valuable," she continues. "This was a positive experience for my committee and for the tavern owners. As a result of their contribution and the conference, we are moving ahead with a prevention program in the schools next year."
Near the end of the interview, Schweikert says, "The conference was such a success, we are scheduling another for the first Monday-Tuesday of June 2008. We're hoping we will be able to count on the YCTA to partner with us again."
Engberg smiles and says, "You can. We already voted."
Low maintenance, indeed.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, July, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.