About the NFLA

Membership

NFLA membership is open to all North Fork landowners, as well as others who have an interest in our unique community. Annual dues are $15 per person for landowners.  For more information about joining, see our Contact page.

Current Board of Directors

Sondreson Hall by Gerry StearnsMission

According to bylaws adopted on Aug. 1, 1954, and since amended, the North Fork Landowners’ Association was founded “to promote the general welfare of the community of the upper valley of the North Fork of the Flathead River … to construct, reconstruct, operate, maintain and regulate the use of a community building … [and to] pursue the interests of all North Fork landowners, regardless of permanent residence, and encourage and facilitate their participation in association activities.” The association pursues this mission through its proactive Board of Directors and committees:

  • The Fire Mitigation Committee has been working with state agencies to partially finance thinning projects on the North Fork. Through the committee, the North Fork is participating in the Firewise Community program. Among other benefits, the Federal Emergency Management Administration gives a Firewise Community priority in consideration for pre-disaster mitigation planning and project grants.
  • The Weed Committee is committed to stamping out the noxious weeds on the North Fork. Everyone who has an interest in helping out with this project are encouraged to join.
  • The North Fork History Project is collecting the memories of the North Fork through oral interviews and historical documents.
  • The Social Committee works with the community and the NFLA Board of Directors to develop and coordinate the NFLA social calendar.
  • The Sondreson Community Hall is an ongoing maintenance project for the NFLA with upkeep and improvements happening every year.
  • Several NFLA members are working with the Flathead Basin Commission and other groups to prevent the development of Canadian Mines north of the border that would adversely affect water quality and wildlife on the North Fork watershed.
  • The Inter Local Agreement provides for face-to-face contact with representatives of agencies whose policies and actions affect the North Fork. Inter Local Agreement meetings are held in the winter (in town) and summer (at the hall). Signatories to the agreement include the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Additional NFLA programs and services include a newsletter mailed to all NFLA members in the spring, this website, and support for a poaching reward fund.

In recent years, the Sondreson Community Hall has been the venue for workshops covering weed control, forestry management, conservation easements and many other subjects of interest to North Forkers.

The Heaphys serving Thanksgiving in 2011Community events

NFLA events include five business meetings (on the second Sunday of each month from June through October) as well as social events such as square dances, a pie and ice cream social, and Thanksgiving dinner. Weed management is an example of the community-service workshops that the NFLA also sponsors. Finally, the NFLA hosts meetings for government entities, such as the Inter Local Agreement meetings.

Elections

NFLA elections are held at Sondreson Hall the second Sunday in August at sundown (9:15pm). To run for a board seat, contact any board member or contact us. Proposed bylaws amendments also are voted on by members at the August meeting.

History

The North Fork Landowners’ Association (NFLA) was founded in 1947.

  • June 2, 1947 — First meeting of the North Fork Improvement Association; a draft of the bylaws is written.
  • June 9, 1947 — The North Fork Improvement Association is formed by voluntary agreement as an unincorporated non-profit association. First bylaws are unanimously adopted with the stated purpose to “promote the general welfare of the community.”
  • Aug. 15, 1953 — North Fork Improvement Association is incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
  • Sept. 3, 1953 — 1.27 acres of land is deeded from Meva and Walter Boberg (daughter and son-in-law of Madge and Ollie Terrian) to the North Fork Improvement Association.
  • Summer 1953 — Ruth and Loyd Sondreson donate the lumber for the building (Sondreson Hall), and it is constructed as a community effort.
  • Aug. 29, 2005 — NFIA’s name officially changed to North Fork Landowners’ Association, per an amendment passed at the August business meeting.
  • June 2, 2017 – Celebrating 70 years!

North Fork Improvement/Landowners’ Association presidents, with the year(s) in which they were elected:

  • 2021 – Richard Hildner
  • 2020 – Bill  Walker
  • 2019 – Bill Walker
  • 2018 – Larry Wilson
  • 2017  – Larry Wilson
  • 2016  – Randy Kenyon
  • 2015  – Randy Kenyon
  • 2014 – Karen McDonough
  • 2013 – Karen McDonough
  • 2012 – Debo Powers
  • 2011 – Debo Powers
  • 2010  – Betsy Holycross
  • 2009  – Betsy Holycross
  • 2008  – Molly Shepherd
  • 2007  – Molly Shepherd
  • 2003 – Ed Heger
  • 2005 – Ed Heger
  • 2004 – Lynn Ogle
  • 2003 – Lynn Ogle
  • 2002 – Larry Wilson
  • 2001 – Larry Wilson
  • 2000 – Richard E. Wackrow
  • 1999 – Richard E. Wackrow
  • 1998 – Duke Hoiland
  • 1997 – Duke Hoiland
  • 1996 – Lee Downes
  • 1995 – Elmer Bensen
  • 1994 – Elmer Bensen
  • 1993  – Steve Berg
  • 1992  – Steve Berg
  • 1991  – Ruth Sondreson
  • 1990 – Bonny Ogle
  • 1989 – Bonny Ogle
  • 1988 – Barbara Klempnow
  • 1987 – Barbara Klempnow
  • 1986 – Lynn Ogle
  • 1985 –  Lynn Ogle
  • 1984 – Larry Wilson
  • 1983 – Larry Wilson
  • 1982 – Lee Downes
  • 1981 – Lee Downes
  • 1980 – S.V. (Gus) Sonnenberg
  • 1979 -S.V. (Gus) Sonnenberg
  • 1978 – Ross Wilson
  • 1977 –  Ross Wilson
  • 1976 – Cecily McNeil
  • 1975 – Larry Gaffaney
  • 1974 – Richard G. Lawrence
  • 1973 -Richard G. Lawrence
  • 1972 – Rachel Sweet
  • 1971 – Ed McNeil
  • 1970 – Ed McNeil
  • 1969 – Ray Hart
  • 1968 – Carl Pittman
  • 1967  – Ruth Sondreson
  • 1966 – Ann Hensen
  • 1965 – George Walter or Ann Hensen
  • 1964 – George Walter
  • 1963 – Robert W. Funk
  • 1962 – H. Frank Evans
  • 1961 – H. Frank Evans
  • 1960 – Lena Holcomb
  • 1959 – Ruth Sondreson
  • 1958 – Ruth Sondreson
  • 1957 – Milton Huck
  • 1956 – Loyd Sondreson
  • 1955 – Ira “Dan” Waltz
  • 1954 – Hazen Lawson
  • 1953 – George E. Rockwell
  • 1952 – George Rockwell
  • 1951 – Oliver Terrian
  • 1950 – Ross Wilson
  • 1949 – Madelyn Buchanan
  • 1948 – Esther Day
  • Sept. 1947 – Walter Hammer
  • June 1947 – Dr. J.S. McFarland