Thursday, June 22

Friday June 23

Saturday, June 24

Sunday, June 25

THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN THE WEST

A historical movement that has significantly advanced social change is the womens movement, whose contributions are often overlooked.  We will look at the history of the women’s movement and the many acheivements, address the marginalization of women and women’s organizing, and explore what it means to organize as feminists/womanists with an analysis that challenges power and control.  We will also focus on work being done in the region to organize against current attacks. 
justice in the West. 
-  Jen Ray, Director, Idaho Women’s Network, member of Western States Center Board of Directors
 

Learn about the history of the disability rights struggle, current key issues, how disability rights relate to the broader social change movement and how and why you should defend and advance this important struggle for change.

-Noemi Sohn, disability rights activist
 

We will look at recent trends in income and wealth distribution and examine the rule changes that have fueled inequality. We’ll also identify steps we can take to begin reversing the growing gap between the rich and everyone else.

-Steve Schnap, Felice Yeskel , United for a Fair Economy
 

Development and sprawl in our booming western cities threaten more than the natural environment.  While Microsoft, Intel and H-P are churning out millionaires, low-income communities are footing the bill for new upscale white subdivisions, and communities of color are being paved over with condos and Starbucks.  Professor Powell gives his race and class impact statement on current development trends and suggests some opportunities for action.

-john powell, executive director for the Institute on Race & Poverty
 

The Northwest premiere of Bus Riders Union, an 80-minute feature length documentary by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler. Wexler tracks three years in the life of one of the nation’s most dynamic social movements, capturing the making of history right before our eyes. A rare mix of fine filmmaking, good politics, and a complex portrayal of a multi-racial grassroots movements that is taking on some of the most powerful forces in Los Angeles—and winning! Wexler is considered one the finest cinematographers in the world, with a prolific body of work including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Bound for Glory and Matewan.
 

Come dine on great food while listening to a stirring keynote address by Ramon Ramirez, a leader in the immigrant rights movement for over 25 years.  He will address the important topic of building grassroots and political power.

-Ramon Ramirez, President of PCUN (Oregon’s farmworker union) and Western States Center’s Board of Directors
 

• grassroots organizing
• donor fundraising and grantwriting
• media training
• board development
• BEST trainers in the field
• exciting new workshops
• special workshops for experienced organizers and non-profit administrators
• fabulous plenary and keynote speakers
• and much, much more!!