I got to go to CSTI because someone I was working on a project with recommended me. I almost turned her down because I thought I should let someone who has not had as many opportunities as I have go. Then I read the program. Forget that! I said sign me up. A few different points: --I grew up in MT, fled to go to college, and have not lived there since. However it is tremendously inspiring to meet young people working on MT Women vote, reproductive rights, gay rights. --Ditto for a 6'3" transgendered woman from Idaho who used to be a construction worker. I forget her name, but I met her as she arrived one night after a long trip and gave her directions to her section of the dorm --Dittor from software professional from Puerto Rico who moved to ID for lifestyle reasons and how he remains engaged in that environment. --My best story: the last day, there were of course more workshops than I could go to. I went to one that just lasted the morning. After lunch I found one about building boards and the facilitator graciously let me join. It turned out quickly that I had things to contribute to a small group discussion. More importantly, that topic was exactly on my mind even though the group affected was not the group I came to CSTI with. I wrote on my evaluation that one goal is that the board this organization needs would exist within 6 months. It's over a year but we are MAKING PROGRESS!