Community Futures Big Country is a community driven, non-profit organization that is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board is made up of local business people who bring extensive knowledge and experience of the area’s economy. Our Board members represent our region’s population and main economic sectors. The role of the Board is to establish our organization’s priorities, monitor our performance, and be accountable to key stakeholders, such as local, provincial and federal governments.
Interested in becoming a board member or committee volunteer? Please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Christopher Curtis
Chair
Over the last 20 plus years Chris have been a leader in helping people and communities take control of their future, whether they do this through starting a business, making community development plans, running organizations. He has consulted in fields as diverse as Gender projects, Tourism, Youth, &d Economic Development among many areas. He believes in the power of self directed community development and has developed and implemented programs that use entrepreneurship and personal development to support people in achieving their dreams and goals, helping to grow communities. His strengths lay in leadership, building consensus, taking action, inspiring people, and directing a group's energies towards a common goal.
Chris’ work has quite often involved people who are facing difficulties that most of us do not. Some examples of this group are survivors in war-torn areas of the world, prisoners, street youth, & welfare recipients. He has also worked extensively with teachers and school boards in training teachers to teach entrepreneurship. Chris has worked with venture capitalist and business angels to help develop entrepreneurial cultures in communities. Innovation, curriculum and program development, and strong facilitation skills are strengths that have helped me be successful in my field.
Specialties: Marketing, Entrepreneurship Development, Teacher Training, Program Development, Innovation Management, Intrapreneurship, New Program Development
Twyla Palmquist
Vice-Chair
Twyla Palmquist is the Owner/Senior Adjuster for TJ Valley Adjusters Inc., which is locally operated out of the vibrant community of Drumheller. She has been in the insurance industry for over twenty years and has many qualifications in Business, Insurance and Management. She originally grew up in Drumheller, spending all of her school years in the valley. She is happy to be back in Drumheller and is looking forward to volunteering, in order to help Drumheller prosper.
Joe Rowbottom
Secretary-Treasurer
Joe runs a mixed farm and a roll-off bin business based west of Drumheller. He has served on various boards, has coached assorted youth sports and strives to be a good member of the community. He holds a degree from University of Alberta in Ag. Business Management. Joe hopes his business background will be helpful to the Board and the clients that Community Futures tries to help.
Dawn Bancroft
Member
Dawn Bancroft has been a Village of Delia council member since 2013 and is currently the Mayor. She strongly believes in the strength of community and that development is key to its sustainability. Dawn also participates on the board of the Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation. She has significant experience and training as a Senior Conflict Management and Values and Ethics Consultant with the Federal Government - Correctional Services Canada - for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Her variety of roles within Correctional Services Canada have provided many opportunities including experience as a member on regional and national committees for policy and planning.
Jason Blanke
Member
I have been in Drumheller for 23 years. I helped start the Drumheller Community Football Association in 1994. I am very involved with the community be it in volunteering or sports. I am on the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce board. I am starting a new career in radio with 99.5 Drum FM. In my former career I was in the financial industry and I see a benefit to that in regards to being on the board of Community Futures. I am excited about the difference Community Futures can make in our community.
Don Rosgen
Member
I was born and raised in this area and farmed for many years in the Munson district before joining Remax in 1998. I am married to my wonderful wife, Janice, and have three terrific children and four grandchildren.
Steve Wannstrom
Member
Councillor with Starland County served 2 terms from 2001-2007, currently serving since October 2013. Served on Community Futures board from 2001-2007, returned to board in 2013. Living on family farm near Munson.
Currently Fire Chief with Munson Fire Department, member for 25 years.
Manager at Yavis Family Restaurant in Drumheller.
Board Criteria
7.0 DIRECTORS
7.1 Subject to any unanimous Board of Directors agreement, the Board shall manage the business and affairs of the Corporation.
7.2 Until changed in accordance with the Act, the Board shall consist of not fewer than three (3) and not more than thirteen (13) Directors. The quorum for the transaction of any business of any meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of a simple quorum.
7.3 One board member shall be appointed from the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce.
7.4 One board member shall be appointed from each of, the Town of Drumheller, the Village of Delia, the Village of Morrin, the Village of Munson, and Starland County.
7.5 At the request of its respective administration, the Town of Drumheller, the Village of Delia, the Village of Morrin, the Village of Munson and Starland County may choose to appoint a Community Volunteer instead of an elected representative as its representative.
7.6 Up to seven (7) Board Members from the region at large shall be elected.
7.7 The election of Directors shall take place at the first meeting of members and at each annual meeting of members.
