What could be better than starting, and ending, your weekend with a party? What if between those two parties you could hear from a variety of progressive leaders on topics to help take our media, our communities, and our nation back?

On Saturday, May 21, Democracy for Oregon (DFO) will be holding its Progressive Leadership Summit at Portland State University. It is being held in conjunction with the Portland State College Dems, PSU Greens, and PSU's Progressive Student Union.

The weekend is packed with people-powered politics and parties (say it 3 times fast.) Prepare to be inspired to take your town, your county, your state and your country back.

Starting off the weekend will be a mixerfundraiser on Friday, May 20 in Raleigh Hills. DFO will be welcoming Jim Dean and Chris Warshaw to Portland with an evening of great NW cuisine, microbrews, and wine. Come out and help show them our warmest welcome and also help to support our mutual cause: promoting progressive reform throughout ALL the United States.

Saturday morning we'll be up bright and early to kick off the first annual Summit.

Keynote speakers for the Summit are Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Democracy for America Chairman Jim Dean, State Representative Peter Buckley, and special guest KPOJ radio host Thom Hartmann.

For only $20 ($15 for students), you can hear from presenters on a variety of educational topics, including:

Crashing the Party: Working for change within the Democratic Party
by Jenny Greenleaf, Oregon DNC Committeewoman

Fabulous Fundraising: How Oregonians raised a half million dollars for progressives in six months (and you can do it too!)
Mac Prichard (Chair, Democratic Party of Oregon Finance Committee) and Teri Mills (DPO Houseparty Team Leader)

Fighting Back Against the Rightwing Noise Machine: Rapid Response, Earned Media & Talk Radio
by Ruth Adkins (Rapid Response Network), Moses Ross (Democracy for Oregon), & Thom Hartmann (Radio Host)

Building Progressive Grassroots Communities: Taking Meetup to the Next Level
Chris Warshaw, Democracy for America Political Director

After the Summit, we'll head over to the Bus Project's annual May event. Entitled Through the Looking Glass, it is sure to be a lot of fun and a great way to end the weekend.

For more information on the Summit, as well as the house party, head over to http:www.dfosummit.com -- online registration is available and breakout sessions are filling up quick. Don't wait too long, or you might miss out on this wonderful opportunity to prepare for next year's elections!