Author: terry

A Note from Michael

Posted on by terry

It has been 7 years since my first day as an FMT intern. Since then, I have served as a volunteer, field fellow, field organizer, and field manager. I have organized dozens of community events, mobilized thousands of voters, testified in public hearings, met hundreds of incredibly passionate organizers across the country, and so much more. As I reflect on these experiences I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for my mentors, volunteers, and colleagues. We have persevered through turbulent times and grown together as people and leaders. It is in this troubling time that I will be saying goodbye to Montana, and leaving my post as Billings Field Manager.

I will be moving to Washington D.C. to continue my professional journey. As we all know, at FMT we value leadership development, and the time has come for me to hang up my clipboard and grow in my capacity as a leader and advocate for transformative social change. 

It is a bittersweet end to a very rewarding tenure. I am so proud of what I have accomplished in my time as field manager. The Billings office has grown exponentially, we have registered and turned out thousands of people to vote in Yellowstone County, advocated for equal rights and movements that center those most affected, and made it abundantly clear that young people “give a shit” about Billings. Furthermore, we have graduated 28 interns who have gone on to lead campaigns, start their own movements, and serve as FMT staff and board members. I could not have done any of this without them (Shout out to #teambillings).

I want to give special thanks to my mentors. Lucy Perino, thank you for recruiting me to be an intern, you taught me to never settle for second best and to set and achieve ambitious (and sometimes audacious) goals! Kiah Abbey, you taught me self reliance, courage, and authenticity. Thank you for pushing me towards bravery and reminding me that I am DAMN GOOD at my job. And to Rachel Huff Doria, you saw in me my full potential and trusted me to grow into my role, I cannot thank you enough for that trust and for your support.

I wish I could leave FMT in more certain times. However, I am certain of this, this organization gets better, faster, and stronger every day, and all of my colleagues at FMT are going to continue to kick so much ass in the coming years. I expect great things from y’all. I am so proud of this team and I will miss you all very much. 

This is by no means goodbye, Montana will always be home, I’ll see you all soon,

Rock on FMT,

Michael Nelson

Content Creator

Posted on by terry

Because you believe in a Montana that believes in you. 

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) is dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy and to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of our two offices in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Digital Communications Manager is responsible for executing the communications strategy that supports programmatic and development efforts at Forward Montana and Forward Montana Foundation. If you have a knack for creativity or writing, a love of making data-driven decisions, and a desire to change the world, then this position might be for you!

Responsibilities:

  • Communications Strategy (20%): Suggest new areas of communications growth for the organization as determined by individual interest and organizational need. Ensure that digital content reflects the organization’s brand and vision. Track media coverage and identify media moments and response opportunities.
  • Social Media Management (20%): Manage the organization’s social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook), curate and schedule content, and identify creative opportunities to use social media to reach target audiences. Work with the Executive Director and Program Director to manage digital ads.
  • Email Communications (20%): Work closely with the Development and Program Teams to draft member emails and set up action pages, sign-up forms, and emails in EveryAction.
  • Website Maintenance (20%): Draft and post content to the website (we use WordPress) and improve website navigation and accessibility. This includes working with the Executive Director to measure, track, and optimize the effectiveness of digital communications including using Google Analytics.
  • Content Creation (20%): Create fun and engaging graphics, short videos, and social media posts that support the programmatic and development efforts. This position may manage a Content Creator and work with local graphic designers.

(Note, time spent on each category may shift depending on the skills and interest of the Communications Manager and needs of the organization during that time).

Qualifications:

Gotta-Have Skill Sets: Must be present in this position.

  • Familiarity with the basic HTML and WordPress or another similar website platform
  • Eye for creativity including experience in or interest in designing graphics (we use Canva) and short videos
  • Is quirky and funny (both broadly defined) and can communicate with the Forward Montana tone and voice on social media platforms
  • Love of building relationships and communicating organizational successes;
  • Experience in communications, public relations, digital organizing, graphic design, or a related field;
  • An understanding and desire to implement diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice frameworks in all aspects of work;
  • Commitment to a process of feedback, learning and personal growth;
  • Ability to independently and successfully manage and complete multiple tasks and projects accurately and by deadline; and
  • Comfort working remotely, including an ability to build relationships through travel and technology with remote team members and your manager.

Strength in any of the areas (choose at least one):

  • Skilled at designing graphics or short videos
  • Love of proofreading and ability to write compelling stories that communicate a vision and program
  • Comfortable with HTML, WordPress or another similar website platform, and / or Google Analytics
  • Comfortable with EveryAction, MailChimp, or another email communications platform

Strong Applications will be:

  • Enthusiastic
  • Team Player
  • Self Motivated
  • Funny (broadly defined)
  • Cool (broadly defined)
  • Focused
  • Flexible

Working Conditions:

  • Shared office space with regional field team or remote office space
  • Flexible and at times unusual work hours, including evenings and weekends

Logistics:

  • Compensation: $38,000 – $39,000 Non-Exempt
  • Benefits: FMT offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, IRA match, professional development funds, and generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave.
  • Location: Based anywhere in Montana; we have offices in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings

Women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and either a 1-2 page writing sample or 1-2 graphic or website design examples to Kiersten Iwai, Executive Director, at kiersten@forwardmontana.org with the email subject line “Digital Communications Application”. In your cover letter please indicate an area of interest: social media management, email communications, website maintenance, or content creation.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please note that we will start interviews on June 24.

Missoula Lead Organizer

Posted on by terry

Job Description:

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy and to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of our three offices in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings.

FMT is seeking a Lead Organizer in Missoula, MT. The Lead Organizer will be responsible for leading a team of interns and volunteers in collecting voter registration, conducting issue advocacy, developing and facilitating community partnerships, and implementing our voter engagement programs in the greater Missoula area.

The Lead Organizer will work closely under the supervision of the Missoula Field Manager to set and track goals in their community in accordance with Forward Montana’s statewide strategy. This position is currently remote due to public health guidelines in regards to COVID-19, but applicants must be based out of Missoula in the instance in-person work resumes. 

Applicants should take initiative, be self-reliant, and have a passion for making real, tangible change in their communities. The Lead Organizer will split time between both political and civic projects that fit within the statewide strategy of FMT.

Responsibilities:

  • Program Implementation: Responsible for meeting program goals for voter registration, voter education, and issue advocacy set in coordination with the Field Manager through digital outreach over social media, phone, and text. Responsible for canvassing, street teaming, tabling, and class raps on local campuses and in their community, when/if in person contact resumes. Will implement the field program including but not limited to recruiting, training, and managing interns and volunteers, teaching and coordinating weekly intern classes on community organizing, and  keeping organized field schedules of interns and volunteers. 

Should be metric driven and comfortable conducting field shifts (when/if they are resumed) for 6 to 8 hours at a time. Identify creative locations (digital and physical) to gather and promote voter registration and issue advocacy that reaches our target constituency – Montanans ages 18-34. 

  • Relationship Building: Must be invested in building the power and capacity of both young Montanans and FMT; Responsible for developing and/or deepening relationships with campus administrators, educators, student leaders, as well as a variety of community leaders and members; Responsible for representing FMT’s brand to long time supporters and increasing visibility of the organization to bring new folks into the work; should be comfortable talking to a variety of stakeholders and planning and hosting  small civic engagement events (in person and digitally) such as election watch parties and progressive happy hours. 
  • Admin & Management: Responsible for organizing, conducting quality control, and turning in all voter registration forms to the appropriate county offices; Must be organized and trustworthy. 

Qualifications:

Gotta-Have Skill Sets: Must be present for a candidate to move forward in the hiring process.

  • Passion for grassroots organizing and building youth power, both online and in the field 
  • Ability to independently manage and complete multiple tasks and projects accurately and by the deadline
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including peers, community partners, volunteers, donors, and elected officials; Must be able to effectively communicate and work with a remote supervisor while work-from-home policy is in place
  • Demonstrated perseverance and creativity to hit metric goals

Nice-to-Have Skill Sets: Not required, but having these skills would make a candidate’s transition into the job more seamless for the individual and the organization.

  • Experience, either professional or voluntary, with field work
  • Experience in planning successful events and meetings
  • Demonstrated ability for proactive thinking and a comfort with frequent change and urgency
  • Familiarity with your community’s campus & relationships with student groups and organizations as well as community organizations 
  • Comfortable public speaking

Strong Applicants will be:

  • Enthusiastic
  • A Team Player
  • Badass
  • Self Motivated
  • Funny (broadly defined)
  • Quirky
  • Cool (broadly defined)
  • Focused
  • Flexible

Working Conditions:

  • Working from home and shared office with the regional field team when/if applicable
  • Comfortable conducting field work, including voter registration, canvassing, and street teaming, for up to 6 hours at a time, often in a stationary position, in all weather conditions pending safety.
  • Will have to work some nights and weekends
  • Some travel within Missoula County may be required 

Logistics:

  • Compensation: This is a full-time position (40 hours / week) at $15-17 / hr. This position is eligible for overtime.
  • Benefits: FMT offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, IRA match, and generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave
  • Contract length: July 20th – November 10th
  • Location: Missoula

Women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply: please submit a resume and cover letter to: Erin Miller, Missoula Field Manager: erin@forwardmontana.org

Bozeman Lead Organizer

Posted on by terry

Job Description:

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy and to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of our three offices in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings.

FMT is seeking a Lead Organizer in Bozeman, MT. The Lead Organizer will be responsible for leading a team of interns and volunteers in collecting voter registration, conducting issue advocacy, developing and facilitating community partnerships, and implementing our voter engagement programs in the greater Bozeman area.

The Lead Organizer will work closely under the supervision of the Bozeman Field Manager to set and track goals in their community in accordance with Forward Montana’s statewide strategy. This position is currently remote due to public health guidelines in regards to COVID-19, but applicants must be based out of Bozeman in the instance in-person work resumes. 

Applicants should take initiative, be self-reliant, and have a passion for making real, tangible change in their communities. The Lead Organizer will split time between both political and civic projects that fit within the statewide strategy of FMT.

Responsibilities:

  • Program Implementation: Responsible for meeting program goals for voter registration, voter education, and issue advocacy set in coordination with the Field Manager through digital outreach over social media, phone, and text. Responsible for canvassing, street teaming, tabling, and class raps on local campuses and in their community, when/if in person contact resumes. 

Will implement the field program including but not limited to recruiting, training, and managing interns and volunteers, teaching and coordinating weekly intern classes on community organizing, and keeping organized field schedules of interns and volunteers.

Should be metric driven and comfortable conducting field shifts (when/if they are resumed) for 6 to 8 hours at a time. Identify creative locations (digital and physical) to gather and promote voter registration and issue advocacy that reaches our target constituency – Montanans ages 18-34.

  • Relationship Building: Must be invested in building the power and capacity of both young Montanans and FMT; Responsible for developing and/or deepening relationships with campus administrators, educators, student leaders, as well as a variety of community leaders and members; Responsible for representing FMT’s brand to long time supporters and increasing visibility of the organization to bring new folks into the work; should be comfortable talking to a variety of stakeholders and planning and hosting small civic engagement events (in person and digitally) such as election watch parties and progressive happy hours. 
  • Admin & Management: Responsible for organizing, conducting quality control, and turning in all voter registration forms to the appropriate county offices; Must be organized and trustworthy. 

Qualifications:

Gotta-Have Skill Sets: Must be present for a candidate to move forward in the hiring process.

  • Passion for grassroots organizing and building youth power, both online and in the field 
  • Ability to independently manage and complete multiple tasks and projects accurately and by the deadline
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including peers, community partners, volunteers, donors, and elected officials; Must be able to effectively communicate and work with a remote supervisor while work-from-home policy is in place
  • Demonstrated perseverance and creativity to hit metric goals

Nice-to-Have Skill Sets: Not required, but having these skills would make a candidate’s transition into the job more seamless for the individual and the organization.

  • Experience, either professional or voluntary, with field work
  • Experience in planning successful events and meetings
  • Demonstrated ability for proactive thinking and a comfort with frequent change and urgency
  • Familiarity with your community’s campus & relationships with student groups and organizations as well as community organizations 
  • Comfortable public speaking

Strong Applicants will be:

  • Enthusiastic
  • A Team Player
  • Badass
  • Self Motivated
  • Funny (broadly defined)
  • Quirky
  • Cool (broadly defined)
  • Focused
  • Flexible

Working Conditions:

  • Working from home and shared office with the regional field team when/if applicable
  • Comfortable conducting field work, including voter registration, canvassing, and street teaming, for up to 6 hours at a time, often in a stationary position, in all weather conditions pending safety.
  • Will have to work some nights and weekends
  • Some travel within Gallatin County may be required 

Logistics:

  • Compensation: This is a full-time position (40 hours / week) at $15-17 / hr. This position is eligible for overtime.
  • Benefits: FMT offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, IRA match, and generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave
  • Contract length: July 20th – November 10th
  • Location: Bozeman

Women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply: please submit a resume and cover letter to: Emma Bode, Bozeman Field Manager: emma@forwardmontana.org

Great Falls Community Organizer

Posted on by terry

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy and to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of our three offices in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings.

FMT is hiring a Community Organizer in Great Falls, MT. The organizer will support our grassroots campaigns, participate in voter engagement efforts and issue advocacy campaigns, and engage in our get out the voter efforts. The Organizer will also be responsible for recruiting and maintaining volunteer relationships across Cascade County, working closely with the Rural Outreach Coordinator to set and track goals in their community in accordance with Forward Montana’s statewide strategy. This position is currently remote due to public health guidelines in regards to COVID-19, but applicants must be based out the Great Falls area in the instance in-person work resumes. Applicants should have initiative, be self-reliant and have a passion for making real, tangible change in their community.

Responsibilities:

  • Program Implementation: Responsible for meeting program goals for voter registration, voter education, and issue advocacy set in coordination with the Rural Outreach Coordinator through digital outreach over social media, phone, and text. Responsible for canvassing, street teaming, tabling, and class raps on local campuses and in their community, when/if in person contact resumes.

Will implement the field program including but not limited to recruiting, training, and managing volunteers and  keeping organized field schedules.

Should be metric driven and comfortable conducting field shifts (when/if they are resumed) for 6 to 8 hours at a time. Identify creative locations (digital and physical) to gather and promote voter registration and issue advocacy that reaches our target constituency – Montanans ages 18-34.

  • Relationship Building: Must be invested in building the power and capacity of both young Montanans and FMT; Responsible for developing and/or deepening relationships with campus administrators, educators, student leaders, as well as a variety of community leaders and members; Responsible for representing FMT’s brand to long time supporters and increasing visibility of the organization to bring new folks into the work; should be comfortable talking to a variety of stakeholders and planning and hosting  small civic engagement events (in person and digitally) such as election watch parties and progressive happy hours. 
  • Admin & Management: Responsible for organizing, conducting quality control, and turning in all voter registration forms to the appropriate county offices; Must be organized and trustworthy. 

Qualifications:

Gotta-Have Skill Sets: Must be present for a candidate to move forward in the hiring process.

  • Passion for grassroots organizing and building youth power, both online and in the field 
  • Ability to independently manage and complete multiple tasks and projects accurately and by the deadline
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including peers, community partners, volunteers, donors, and elected officials; Must be able to effectively communicate and work with a remote supervisor while work-from-home policy is in place
  • Demonstrated perseverance and creativity to hit metric goals

Nice-to-Have Skill Sets: Not required, but having these skills would make a candidate’s transition into the job more seamless for the individual and the organization.

  • Experience, either professional or voluntary, with community organizing or civic engagement 
  • Comfort with frequent change and urgency 
  • Familiarity with your community’s campus & relationships with student groups and organizations

Strong Applicants will be:

  • Enthusiastic
  • A Team Player
  • Badass
  • Self Motivated
  • Funny (broadly defined)
  • Quirky
  • Cool (broadly defined)
  • Focused
  • Flexible

Working Conditions:

  • Working from home while maintaining contact with the regional field team
  • Comfortable conducting field work, including voter registration, canvassing, and street teaming, for up to 6 hours at a time, often in a stationary position, in all weather conditions pending safety.
  • Will have to work some nights and weekends
  • Some travel within Cascade County may be required 

Logistics:

  • Compensation: $14.00 – $16.00 per hour for up to 20 hours per week
  • Contract length: July 20th, 2020 – November 10th, 2020
  • Location: Great Falls

Women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply: please submit a cover letter that addresses why building youth power through voter registration is important & a resume to the Rural Outreach Coordinator, Hannah Pate: hannahpate@forwardmontana.org 

#DYK: It Takes 10 Minutes To #GetCounted

Posted on by terry

#DYK: The #2020Census takes less than 10 minutes and can be done either online or over the phone?!

You can find more information on My2020Census.Gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020.

For every person not counted in the #2020Census, Montana stands to lose $20,000 over the next ten years which is BAD news. We’ve had almost 20 volunteers join us to help make calls to over 8,000 individuals about what the #2020Census means for our communities.

Want to help us spread the word about the importance of getting freakin’ counted? Contact your local Field Manager.

2020 Give Days

Posted on by terry

Give Big is a 24-hour online celebration of giving created to connect generous community members with the causes they care about most. The goal is simple – inspire our people to come together, show their pride in their communities, and contribute to support the life-changing work of local nonprofit organizations.

Despite the shelter-in-place, Forward Montana Foundation…Forward Montana Foundation continues our vital work of civic engagement and voter education while upholding our values as young leaders across the state, just from our couches. Our amazing interns, staff, board members, and volunteers have taken the initiative in adjusting our work on all fronts. From phone-banking about the #2020Census to creating quality social media content, we will maintain our presence in our communities in new and innovative ways.

Forward Montana Foundation is lucky enough to be based within three major communities: Bozeman, Billings, and Missoula. We are seeking contributions from these communities and throughout to continue our vital work across the state.

Donate to Forward Montana Foundation below.

Contact Terry at terry@forwardmontana.org with questions. Thank you!

FMF’s Response to COVID-19

Posted on by terry

When I stepped into the Executive Director’s role at Forward Montana, I could not have anticipated the global challenges we would be facing less than four months later. When I started, my mind was filled with questions like “How often should I communicate with my Board,” and “How do I figure out my budget gap”? Despite some self-doubt, I knew that with my hard work ethic, intuition, and leadership skills, I would be ready to take on the challenges that 2020 would bring.

Of course, none of those potential challenges included a global pandemic. Then again, who is prepared for that?

These extraordinary times call for us to rise up. In light of the recent updates on COVID-19, Forward Montana is stepping back from our face-to-face field work. We do not take this decision lightly, and the recent announcement from the university system to move instruction online starting March 23rd confirms our need to be prepared. We care about our community, and are ready to do our part.

This does not mean we’ll be stopping our work. We’ll be using this time as an opportunity to enhance our digital presence, grow our membership, and to prepare for the biggest election of our lifetime. I am also confident that we will still be able to bring folks into the civic process and get them prepared to vote in the upcoming elections.

We are taking this route because as young people who participate primarily in field work and interact with a large number of people, we could be unknowing carriers or compromise the health of others. As an organization, we feel an obligation to do what’s right for the health and safety of our team and communities we serve. We are all concerned about keeping our families and loved ones safe, and it’s okay to be worried.

We recognize that this pandemic is feeding off of and exposing the injustices in our systems that we’re fighting against, including racism, ableism, and ageism. We all have a role to play in consciously working to make sure we’re not contributing to the harm amidst this virus by adding more prejudice. We are saddened by the dismissive jokes made by some our peers that further isolate and stigmatize the older populations of our communities. And of course, as we know, the fact that COVID-19 is fueling and/or revealing anti-Asian racism is only the latest in a long history of how immigrant groups, marginalized groups, and/or people of color have been labeled with “disease” imagery: exactly the kind of bigotry we’re working to fight against.

We also recognize that our local economy may be negatively impacted; many businesses depend on visitors and social gatherings. This may impact our friends who work in the tourism and service industries. While we hope it will not get to this point, we know that we need to be prepared and do our part in preventing an outbreak so that our local economy and healthcare system can remain resilient.

From an extremely important Census count to COVID-19 and surprising shake ups in the upcoming ballot, 2020 has hit us in the face with so many challenges and opportunities. The times call for creativity, adaptability, and flexibility. Forward Montana has always risen (and will continue to rise) to this challenge.

Over the next few weeks you’ll be hearing more from us, whether that’s via email, phone, or text. We’re going to do what Forward Montana does best; meeting people where they’re at through creative and quirky tactics to make the world a better place.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your support,

Kiersten Iwai
Executive Director
Forward Montana Foundation

Flathead Lead Organizer

Posted on by terry

Job Description:

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy and to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of our three offices in Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings.

FMT is seeking a Lead Organizer in the Flathead Valley, including but not limited to: Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Polson, and/ or Whitefish. The Lead Organizer will be responsible for recruiting and leading a team of volunteers in collecting voter registration, conducting issue advocacy,  developing and facilitating community partnerships, and implementing our voter engagement programs in the greater Flathead area.

The Flathead Lead Organizer will build relationships with students, administrators, and community members to support civic engagement throughout the region. They will work closely with the Rural Outreach Coordinator to set and track goals in their community in accordance with Forward Montana’s statewide strategy. 

This position is currently remote due to public health guidelines in regards to COVID-19, but applicants must be based in the Flathead Valley region in the instance in-person work resumes. 

Applicants should take initiative, be self-reliant, and have a passion for making real, tangible change in their communities. The Lead Organizer will split time between both political and civic projects that fit within the statewide strategy of FMT.

Responsibilities:

  • Program Implementation: Responsible for meeting program goals for voter registration, voter education, and issue advocacy set in coordination with the Missoula Field Manager through digital outreach over social media, phone, and text. Responsible for canvassing, street teaming, tabling, and class raps on local campuses and in their community, when/if in person contact resumes. 
    Will implement the field program including but not limited to recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, teaching and coordinating weekly intern classes on community organizing, and  keeping organized field schedules of interns and volunteers. Should be metric driven and comfortable conducting field shifts (when/if they are resumed) for 6 to 8 hours at a time. Identify creative locations (digital and physical) to gather and promote voter registration and issue advocacy that reaches our target constituency – Montanans ages 18-34.
  • Relationship Building: Must be invested in building the power and capacity of both young Montanans and FMT; Responsible for developing and/or deepening relationships with campus administrators, educators, student leaders, as well as a variety of community leaders and members; Responsible for representing FMT’s brand to long time supporters and increasing visibility of the organization to bring new folks into the work; should be comfortable talking to a variety of stakeholders and planning and hosting small civic engagement events (in person and digitally) such as election watch parties and progressive happy hours. 
  • Admin & Management: Responsible for organizing, conducting quality control, and turning in all voter registration forms to the appropriate county offices; Must be organized and trustworthy. 

Qualifications:

Gotta-Have Skill Sets: Must be present for a candidate to move forward in the hiring process.

  • Passion for grassroots organizing and building youth power, especially field work
  • Ability to independently manage and complete multiple tasks and projects accurately and by the deadline
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including peers, community partners, volunteers, donors, and elected officials; Must be able to effectively communicate with a remote supervisor
  • Demonstrated perseverance & creativity to hit metric goals
  • Ability to stay productive and focused while traveling (when/ if in-person field work resumes)
  • Ability to take initiative in building up programs 

Nice-to-Have Skill Sets: Not required, but having these skills would make a candidate’s transition into the job more seamless for the individual and the organization.

  • Experience, either professional or voluntary, with field work
  • Experience in planning successful events and meetings
  • Demonstrated ability for proactive thinking and a comfort with frequent change and urgency
  • Familiarity with your community’s campus & relationships with student groups and organizations as well as community organizations 
  • Comfortable public speaking

Strong Applicants will be:

  • Enthusiastic
  • A Team Player
  • Badass
  • Self Motivated
  • Funny (broadly defined)
  • Quirky
  • Cool (broadly defined)
  • Focused
  • Flexible

Working Conditions:

  • Working from home and shared office with the regional field team when/if applicable
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record
  • Comfortable conducting field work, including voter registration, canvassing, and street teaming, for up to 6 hours at a time, often in a stationary position, in all weather conditions pending safety
  • Will have to work some nights and weekends

Logistics:

  • Compensation: $12-15 per hour for up to 20 hours per week
  • Contract length: July 27th – November 10th
  • Location: Travel is required for this position (when/ if in-person work resumes)

Women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply: please submit a cover letter that addresses why building youth power through voter registration is important in the Flathead Valley & a resume to Erin Miller, Missoula Field Manager: erin@forwardmontana.org

20 things FMF has already accomplished in 2020

Posted on by terry
  1. Met with partners in other states to develop a strategic and unified youth vision!
  2. Rested our souls with much-deserved breaks and came back ready to GO this year #RestForRadicals
  3. Hired Voter Registration Organizers in Bozeman, Billings, and Missoula
  4. FMF on Ice! (Registered folx at a local Hockey game)
  5. Marched with thousands of people across Montana in the 2020 Women’s March 
  6. Registered over 140 new voters!
  7. Distributed Census Coasters across the state in Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and Havre.
  8. Worked with campuses across the state to develop their own voter engagement plans!
  9. Hired a High School Program Manager.
  10. Reached our goals for giving at the end of the year!
  11. Recruited a new intern class!
  12. Raised our internship stipends to $1,000
  13. Reserved a lodge in Paradise Valley for our fall 2020 High School Fellows retreat!
  14. Registration for Democracy Days went live.
  15. Published an opinion piece in two major newspapers highlighting the outcomes of the Montana Outdoor Heritage Project Survey
  16. Worked with over 20 community organizations and businesses across the state on the importance of the Census to our state. 
  17. Campaign Skills Training Registration went live — sign up today.
  18. Hosted a debate watch party at Colombos with our friends at New Leaders Council! 
  19. Our Missoula Field Manager, Erin Miller provided public comment at the Climate Council meeting in Missoula
  20. Prepared for our upcoming Missoula office move — see you at our house warming party coming SOON!