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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CENTER!
For nearly 20 years, Western States Center has helped to build the progressive movement. In 2006 we continued the work of connecting Western activists, exploring our shared values, honing our strategies for building power, sharpening our political analyses, and forging relationships and alliances with the broader movement for social, economic, racial and environmental justice. The Center launched several new cutting-edge programs last year, including significant work in the racial and gender justice arenas. We invite you to review this synopsis and click through to our web site for more details. Here's to progress in 2007!
Your Friends at Western States Center
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FAMILY, COMMUNITY & SEXUALITY PROJECT
For too long, the religious right has exploited issues of LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, family security, marriage equality, and anti-poverty programs to promote their narrow view of family. Fighting ballot measures in almost every election for the past 15 years, our region has been a battleground for defining family, gender and sexuality. The Family, Community and Sexuality (FCS) Project is expanding the skills and capacity of organizations to engage their base on wedge issues, supporting the leadership of women and LGBTQ people of color in defining a progressive family values agenda, and building networks across issue and constituency that engage new allies in critical gender justice policy issues. |
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PROJECT RESEARCH & GENDER JUSTICE SUMMIT
The Center conducted research for the Family, Community and Sexuality Project that engaged 175 staff and leaders of grassroots organizations in exploring challenges and opportunities for gender justice campaign work in our region. In April we convened a Gender Justice Summit in Boise, Idaho with 18 organizations from around the region that work on issues affecting women and families, LGBTQ communities, people of color and immigrant/refugee communities and faith communities. They articulated ten "progressive family values principles" that will frame the FCS Project and the Center’s ongoing gender justice work. Click here for the report. |
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BASE BUILDING PROJECT
In 2006, we worked intensively with six membership based people-of-color-led organizations in Washington and Oregon to strengthen their leadership development and political education programs. The project advanced peer-relationships in the region that share a movement-building approach to membership development and led to significant victories for racial justice. Project groups included: Community Coalition for Environmental Justice, Latinos Unidos Siempre, Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organizing, Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality, Seattle Young People’s Project and Voz Hispana Causa Chavista. Click here to read more. |
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VOTER OWNED ELECTIONS
The Center supports public financing of campaigns, which opens elections to fair competition and holds politicians accountable to community interests rather than special interests. In 2006, Western States Center worked alongside local and national allies to implement the nation's first system of full public financing for municipal elections, here in Portland, fighting off attempts by the city's big money players to subvert and repeal the new system. Download a compilation of press articles about Portland's voter owned elections system. |
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WILDIR PROGRAM
Building off our successful Western Institute for Organizing Leadership Development (WILD), the Center launched WILDIR in 2006 (a WILD program designed for immigrants and refugees) to meet the needs of these diverse community leaders. During WILDIR, 15 first generation immigrant and refugee leadersfrom Chad, Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Sudan and Vietnam participated in organizing training and skills building and developed a shared analysis of regional challenges and opportunities facing their communities. |
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CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND POLITICAL POWER
The Center provided intensive support to six groups organizing to build power through the 2006 election cycle during our Voter Organizing, Training & Empowerment (VOTE) Project. Project participants included: Equal Rights Washington, Hate Free Zone Washington, Idaho Latino Vote, Idaho Women's Network, Indian People's Action and Montana Women Vote. To support the final push for voter education and mobilization in our region, the Center also provided $178,500 in direct support to these and other grassroots organizations and ballot measure campaigns in Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. |
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COMMUNITY STRATEGIC TRAINING INITIATIVE (CSTI)
Our movement-building mainstay, CSTI, brought 400 organizers together for three days of training and networking. A roundtable discussion on immigration, keynote presentation by human rights leader Van Jones, topical morning plenaries and various caucus meetings provided opportunities for participants to deeply engage with one another and with current issues. In addition, a wide range of cultural events took place throughout CSTI 2006, including films, theater, music and dance. Click here to view photos. |
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WOMEN & TRANSGENDER PEOPLE OF COLOR GATHERING
The Center held a gathering for women and transgender people of color before CSTI that provided an opportunity for critical dialogue on issues of gender and race and the impact of two key pending public policy fights: parental notification for young women choosing abortion and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. |
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ELECTION RETROSPECTIVE
Missed Executive Director Dan Petegorsky's 2006 Election Analysis? Download it from our web site and find out what the 2006 elections mean for progressives "Out West." Click here for the analysis. |
Party Splits in State Governments
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***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 to support and grow the progressive movement in the West.
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DONATE ONLINE to Western States Center using a debit or credit card.
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Transfer stock to Western States Center. For more information, contact Administration and Finance Manager RuthAlice Anderson at (503) 228-8866 ext. 107 or email rutha@wscpdx.org.
DONATE TO WESTERN STATES CENTER ONLINE
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