PSU hosts 21st annual NW Leadership Conference��

This weekend, Portland State will host the largest student-led conference in the region: the NW Student Leadership Conference (NWSLC). The conference aims to promote leadership, learning and legislative advocacy skills.

The NWSLC is expected to bring over 500 students from different college campuses across the nation and Canada to PSU for the “Mission: I’m Possible” themed conference. The “mission” is to help students address global and environmental issues, such as animal rights, gay/lesbian issues and healthcare in their communities, according to Events and Development Director Susan Mund.

“Students attending this event will learn leadership and advocacy skills,” Mund said. “This conference has been going on for 21 years in the Northwest region, and is really going to take off this year with a focus on the community and the issues surrounding it.”

Several credible guest speakers will take the stage on Friday and Saturday. For instance, Director of the LGBT Alliance Lisa Finkelstein will speak Friday night about the LGBT community.

Former Representative and Senator Avel Louise Gordly will speak on Saturday afternoon on her service in the Oregon House, civil engagement and her recently published memoir, “Remembering The Power Of Words,” which was just released by the Oregon State University Press.

Representatives from dozens of organizations throughout the northwest will provide insight through workshops and information booths.

In addition, the Northwest Vegetarian Society will have a booth with a guest speaker giving a lecture on animal rights, as well as the positive effects of vegetarian dieting.

Renters Rights is another organization that will be providing students with information regarding Oregon landlord laws and their rights as tenants.  Basic Rights Oregon is giving a presentation on advocacy in the lesbian and gay community, as well as offering numerous workshops on this topic.

“The wealth of groups coming together is huge,” Mund said. “We have over 15 different organizations and corporate sponsors assisting with this event.”

This evening at 8 p.m., there will also be a free viewing of the documentary film “Papers: A Documentary of Undocumented Youth in America.”

There will be a burlesque and Drag Queen show tomorrow night, put on by Portland’s own Drag Mansion. The show will feature former PSU student Brad Vehafric as the DJ.

Students currently attending this event have already pre-registered, but Mund encourages anyone interested in the conference to visit www.orstudents.org for future conference opportunities.

The conference will begin today at 4:30 p.m. in Smith Memorial Student Union. ?