e-Lobbying A presidential sex scandal got their nonprofit off the ground. Now their 300,000 politically conscious members keep it going.
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Vital Stats: Wes Boyd, 41,and Joan Blades, 45, of Berkeley, California-based MoveOn.org
Company: Online nonprofitpolitical advocacy group started in 1998
2001 Numbers: 300,000members
Monica, Monica, Monica:"MoveOn started in the middle of the Clinton impeachmentscandal, when we were sick to death of hearing about MonicaLewinsky," says Blades.
"MoveOn started in themiddle of the Clinton impeachment scandal, when we were sick todeath of hearing about Monica Lewinsky." |
Snowball Effect: "Wedecided to post a petition online, saying Congress must censureClinton and move on," says Blades. "We sent it to 100 ofour friends and family, and within a week, we had 100,000signatures. Once we had those names, we let representatives knowhow people felt. Since then, we've learned a lot aboutpolitics. We raised more than $2 million [during] the last election. . . to bring Congress back to the people."
Thinking Local:"We're looking for new ways every day to help peopleconnect with their leadership and with the political process. Andthe Internet's a great tool for helping peopleparticipate," says Boyd.
Tech Roots: "In 1987,we started Berkeley Systems, which was best known for the flyingtoasters screensavers and a game called You Don't KnowJack," says Boyd. "We sold [Berkeley] in 1997, after wehad grown it to 160 people and $30 million. Now we mostly volunteerour time. We get a lot done with not a lot of money."
