IN THIS ISSUE:

CSTI: as Hot as Ever

Oregon Students Back to School, Straight to Voter Rolls

Registering New Citizens to Vote. How Hard Should it Be?

In this issue we're happy to report on another successful CSTI: a slideshow up on our website has some of the highlights. Plus, we're featuring two VOTE Project groups and their work in this pivotal election. We hope that you're registered to vote, and that you are encouraging family and friends to get involved in the many exciting campaigns across the West.

Have a great fall,

Dan Petegorsky,
Executive Director, Western States Center

The festive atmosphere and diverse participation at the Center's annual Community Strategic Training Initiative (CSTI) was the perfect setting to celebrate our 21st Birthday. Attendance was high, the mood was "Si Se Puede," and the panels, workshops and presentations energized and informed leaders from across the region. Read more about CSTI 2008, or look for yourself or someone you know in our slideshow.

Think you've got a lot to do before the election? Oregon Student Association (OSA), a VOTE Project organization, will be registering 27,000 new voters as college students return to campuses later this month -- just in time for these first-time voters to participate in their first election this November. How will they do that in three weeks? Read more...

In Las Vegas, VOTE group Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) has gotten in trouble for registering new citizens to vote! For years PLAN had been setting up tables in the federal building and registering people fresh from the weekly citizenship ceremonies. Their work was paying off, and they were registering about 250 people a month. But as of this summer, they are no longer allowed to table in the building, and have had to move their registration work into the great (and HOT) outdoors.... Read more

Center Highlights: Creating A Space for Dialogue on LGBTQ Issues

We've written up brief highlights of our recent gender justice work: Creating a Space for Dialogue on LGBTQ Issues is now available for download.

Have You Seen Our New Video?

In case you didn't catch it as CSTI, our new short video is up on our home page. Watch it to see how we're Working for the Future, Today

Western States Center Needs You!

Building long-term strategies for progressive social change requires resources. Together, we know that we can make a difference. There are several ways you can help Western States Center. Find out today!