Forward Montana

Forward Montana is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization located in Missoula, Montana. [ [http://www.forwardmontana.org/ Forward Montana - Home ] ] It is described as a "non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to training, mobilizing, and electing a new generation of progressive leaders in Montana," [ [http://www.westernstatescenter.org/region/montana.html Western States Center ] ] although conservative blogs in the area have attacked it as a left-wing organization, funded by out of state liberal donors. [ [http://missoulapolis.blogspot.com/2007/10/forward-montana-tentacle-of-machine.html Missoulapolis: Forward Montana: A Tentacle of the Machine ] ]

It was co-founded by Billings born blogger Matt Singer, along with several members of the Montana Public Interest Research Group and The Associated Students of The University of Montana, in 2006. [ [http://www.missoulanews.com/index.cfm?do=article.details&id=D357D8B1-F3C1-297C-9FE9CCB7316F4764&page=3 The Missoula Independent Online - Forward Progress ] ]

Forward Montana played a critical role in the 2007 municipal election in Missoula, unseating conservative incumbent Missoula City Council member Don Nicolson in a close race with progressive candidate, Pam Walzer. [http://www.newwest.net/city/article/missoula_city_councils_new_progressive_majority/C8/L8/ Missoula City Council’s New Progressive Majority | Missoula | New West Network ] ] The organization used their [http://www.pinkbunnies.org/ Pink Bunnies] campaign to register young voters, and turn them out for the election. The campaign proved interesting enough to warrant Missoula Mayor John Engen to issue a proclamation, making the day before voter registration closed "Official Pink Bunny Day" citywide. [http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/09/news/mtregional/news06.txt]

During the weeks and months running up to the election, Forward Montana registered more than 1,000 voters—more than one-third of all the city’s new registrants. It launched the Pink Bunnies get-out-the-vote campaign, organized events such as Candidates Gone Wild, made hundreds of phone calls, and in general, worked to rouse a demographic often apathetic in the realm of local politics.

Forward Montana helped turn out hundreds of voters using candidate forums like Candidates Gone Wild, in which candidate's ideas were not relayed in standard Q&A style forums, but in a talent show. [ [http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/04/news/local/znews01.txt Missoulian: Eccentric forum provides new outlet for City Council hopefuls ] ]

Recently, after the beatings of two members of Missoula's LGBT community, Forward Montana co-organized the rally "We Are Missoula... Stand Up, Speak OUT!" The rally drew over 300 people, with help from groups like Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center and the YWCA of Missoula. [ [http://qsaltlake.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=36 QSaltLake - Utah's Gay and Lesbian News & Entertainment Magazine - Mont. Gay Man, Lesbian Assaulted, City Rallies for Hate Crimes Protections ] ]

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