FUSE

There's a new Progressive Action organization in the State; FUSE
From their website:

"The Fuse organizations are a new team of state-based online advocacy groups working together to provide a cutting edge online organizing and communications hub for Washington State. Fuse Washington, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, is focused primarily on securing major advances in progressive public policy for Washington State. Fuse Innovation Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, focuses primarily on building a broader, stronger progressive movement in Washington."

While they are a relatively new organization, the movers and shakers behind FUSE are an experienced and highly successful group of political activists from a variety of backgrounds. The Board consists of leaders in the environmental, political, and communications fields with familiar names like Futurewise, Progressive Majority, and Move-on.org. The day to day operation is likewise in very capable hands. Executive Director, Aaron Ostrom, held that same position at Futurewise for the past eight years. Chris McCullough is the Political Director for the organization. I have know Chris for some time as the Campaign Manager for 1st CD Congressman, Jay Inslee. In 2006, Chris was instrumental in guiding I-937 (The Clean Energy Initiative) to passage. Rounding out the staff is Peter Hester, in the position of Outreach Director. Peter has served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for 8th CD congressional challenger, Darcy Burner and, in 2004 worked for the Patty Murray re-election campaign.

The Organization will act as a sort of hub for Progressive action in the state; much as Move-on.org and DFA do on a national level. Again from their website:

"Fuse will combine online organizing and communications with real world action to rebuild Washington’s future. Our goals are to:

* Build a stronger progressive movement in Washington. We will use innovative, internet-based organizing and communications to dramatically expand active public support for progressive causes and leaders.

* Secure major advances in progressive public policy. Working with our partners, we will use the power of serious numbers of real people to generate bolder leadership from our elected officials."

Their first major action was to encourage an email campaign to ask the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to deny an application from Energy Northwest to build a new coal power plant in Kalama along the Columbia River. According to Chris McCullough, "We sent our first email out two weeks ago, asking folks to send a message to EFSEC regarding Energy Northwest's application to build a coal plant in Kalama. We got a thousand emails sent in within 24 hours..." Pretty impressive for a new and relatively unknown organization.

Their most recent action is in support of "Approve R67." In this effort, they have allowed their creative juices to flow with this video presentation:

I am looking forward to more from this group and am encouraging all who read here to check them out; sign up for their email alerts; be a part of the FUSE Team.

It starts right HERE

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue