January 2009 E-newsletter
In this issue: VOTE Groups Get to Work as Lawmakers Start Sessions; No Slowing Down Since Historic Elections; Winning Reproductive Justice Victories; and Are you ready to get WILD?
- Western States Center: Building a Progressive Movement in the West
If your year has started off anything like ours, the glow from November's elections has morphed into the intensities and complexities of fully engaged organizing and policy battles. Take a few minutes and see how your experiences are reflected in those of groups across our region. And keep up the great work!
VOTE Groups Get to Work as Lawmakers 
Start Sessions
Across the West last fall, Western States Center’s VOTE Project participants were pounding the pavement and burning up the phone lines to get people to vote in a historic election. Now they’re focusing on their organizations’ core issue agendas as lawmakers face critical policy decisions and daunting state budget shortfalls in a reeling economy. As legislators return to sessions and the usual "wine and dine" pressures from industry lobbyists, VOTE groups across the West are bringing everyday people to state capitols to make sure legislators remember who they really work for... Read more...
No Slowing Down Since Historic Elections 
You may not have made it to the Western Progressive Leadership Network conference in Seattle in December, where progressive leaders and legislators from across the West came together to exchange perspectives, share successes, and strategize for keeping up the momentum from November’s elections. But you can still get highlights from some of the most insightful sessions and what they have to say about your work in 2009…. Read more
Winning Reproductive Justice
Expanding the Movement for Empowerment and Reproductive Empowerment (EMERJ) is a national coalition that is building the movement for reproductive justice. Their new Report, Winning Reproductive Justice highlights the victories and strategies that the reproductive justice movement is building on across the country. Check it out on our resource page.
Are you ready to get WILD?
The Western Institute for Organizing and Leadership Development (WILD) is Western States Center's intensive, year-long organizing and leadership training program. Through residential training sessions and field work, participants develop critical skills and lasting relationships with a network of colleagues that crosses constituencies, issues and geography. Western States Center is accepting applications for WILD 2009-2010! Applications are due on March 6, 2009.
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!
