Notes from the Field

This spring, let’s show up for our neighbors

By Kiah Abbey, Deputy Director During a fast-paced legislative session and weeks full of presidential candidate announcements, it’s easy to get caught up in this political moment or that one. Though exhilarating, it can cause us to lose sight of the decades of political moments and people that our work builds on and the vision…

Notes from the Field

Lobbying 101: MLK Lobby Day at the Capitol

By Erin Miller, Missoula Field Manager On Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, I was in Helena with the Montana Human Rights Network lobbying in the State Capitol. Lobbying is something that is very new to me so I was eager to learn as much as I could! We started the day with a…

Notes from the Field

FMT’s Public Statement on NorthWestern Energy’s Resource Procurement Plan

On Friday, January 19th, the Montana Senate & House Energy Committees hosted the Public Service Commission and held a public hearing on Northwestern Energy’s 20-year procurement plan. You can listen to the full meeting here. House and Senate Energy Committee members, Public Service Commissioners, and Northwestern Energy representatives: My name is Caitlin Piserchia, and I’m…

Notes from the Field

It’s beginning to look a lot like Legislative Season!

It’s not quite the “Night before Legislative Session” yet but to get into the holiday spirit, we hope you’ll pour yourself an eggnog and read our legislative session update to the poetic beat of the ‘Night before Christmas’… It’s that time of the biennium for the session to start. We’ve researched committees (allies & foes)…

Notes from the Field

Thank you from Hannah Pate

Dear friend,   Ooooof! What an election cycle! My work with Forward Montana began in February, when I was hired for the position of Campus Tour Manager. I traveled to campuses all over this great state, empowering students to vote. I learned a lot during this experience: how to drive on the highway in the winter,…

Notes from the Field

Thank You from Hannah Clancy

Due to your generosity, the field workers, volunteers, and interns, including myself, were able to reach out to other young people in Billings (and statewide!) in the hopes of inspiring a sense of democratic duty. One of my most cherished experiences as an intern was directly interacting with other college students regarding the 6-Mill Levy….

Notes from the Field

MSU Student Voter Day Update

Student Voter Day was a wonderful time for students on campuses across Montana to turn in their absentee ballots, getting them to become passionate about voting. Students absolutely loved the free coffee, donuts, and hot chocolate along with the wide array of stickers that were available throughout the day. Alix and Ali, the field organizers…

Notes from the Field

Michael Nelson

Location: Billings, MT Occupation: Forward Montana Field Manager What are the key issues that you Give A Shit about? I give a shit about the LGBTQ community. All of my siblings (myself included) are gay or bi, I have countless friends that identify with the wide breadth of human sexuality and gender. Left and right…

Notes from the Field

Just a Little Nudge

Ever since I started working for Forward Montana, I’ve tried to encourage my 23 year old brother, Creath, to register to vote. One of my most recent attempts led him to respond, “Voting is just not something I ever think about doing. I don’t ever feel like I make an impact, so I really don’t…