I have many good memories and stories that I could share in relation to Western States' amazing trainings and programs, but the one I will focus on is my very first community organizing. It was a 2 or 3 day introduction to social change organizing led by the Western States staff. I was at that time a volunteer doing assorted odds and ends for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. I remember journeying on my own to the Portland Airport for the first time, taking the light rail downtown and walking into the The Center's office. Over the next couple of days I got to know the amazing staff as I learned about a field of work I didn't know existed. Kalpana, Moira, Kelley, Aimee, Lucilene and of course Dan were giving interactive, high-energy presentations on the how to build up communities and get progressive change, which was something that I, only 19 at the time, thought I had to make up as I went. Every meal we shared was from a different culture and I made friends with staff at other organizations that I still see over a year later at The Center events. And thanks to that training, along with CSTI, I gained the skills to become an asset to PLAN and now work on staff for them, showing at least in some small part my gratitude to Western States Center by contributing to their VOTE campaign. Happy 21st and thanks for everything! Now you're old enough to come to Las Vegas and drink/gamble your life away!