The Center Honors Work on the Ground at CSTI

Saturday night at CSTI has become a tradition of celebration and fun.

The highlight of the evening was the special recognitions given by Western States Center to three organizations: Partnership for Safety and Justice, Latinos Unidos Siempre and Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.  Click on the images to see our presentation slideshows.

We also gave special kudos to three individuals for their invaluable contributions to CSTI over the years. First off Anita Rodgers of McKenzie River Gathering Foundation was awarded “Person who Attended the Most CSTIs” with a golden nametag complete with a golden chain.

“When I was an organizer, CSTI made me a better organizer. When I was a director, CSTI made me a better director. Now as a foundation program officer CSTI makes me a better funder,” -  Anita Rodgers in her acceptance speech.

Janice Thompson tied with Anita for the same award. Janice recently became the Executive Director of Common Cause Oregon.

Our final award of the evening went to Thalia Zepatos as the “Person who Trained at the Most CSTIs.” Thalia received a golden mini easel. Thalia is a political consultant with more than 30 years' experience as a community organizer, field director, and campaign manager. Thalia is also an accomplished writer, and is co-author of Women for Change: A Grassroots Guide to Activism and Politics as well as several travel books.

At the beginning of the evening attendees had a chance to share a few words about what CSTI feels like, sounds like, tastes like and looks like. By the end of dinner those words were turned into a collective poem by our RACE Program and Gender Justice Program Director, Kalpana Krishnamurthy. Click here to read the poem.

Our after-dinner entertainment was chock-full of surprises. This is our third year featuring a Talent Show with a new addition of karaoke. Read all about it in Nancy Haque’s blog CSTI Idol?