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June 20, 2008 08:24 PM UTC

Want to volunteer at the convention? Forget it!

  • 14 Comments
  • by: DavidThi808

from the Boulder Daily Camera we have:

The director of volunteers for the Democratic National Convention in Denver has resigned, saying she wasn’t “empowered” to do her job.

I know it will come as a shock to all the volunteers that had not yet heard anything from the DNC – that there actually was someone in charge of the volunteer effort.

Comments

14 thoughts on “Want to volunteer at the convention? Forget it!

  1. Williams says her proposal for a volunteer-appreciation party at the Denver Zoo was turned down because of costs. Host committee spokesman Chris Lopez says other plans are under consideration.

    A pissing match over an ass-kiss event, and this is as far as volunteer planning has gotten? Sounds like everyone will be happier here.  

    1. via email as soon as it was announced. I got a volunteer e newsletter on a regular basis. There were volunteer “opportunities” such as cleaning up stretches of the Platte near Speer. These actions were a good idea. They served to build solidarity among the volunteers and the coordinator could weed out those who were not serious about working.

      Since I now live 100 miles away, I didn’t do any of those “opportunities.” I did offer to help with similare activities in Southern Colorado. Didn’t hear a word in response. The newsletters got further and further apart.

      Then in April, I think, I got an email saying that that those who applied early had to re-up. It was during one of those periods of time that I was really busy and got behind on email. I opened it the day after the deadline.

      The convention is during the state fair. Pueblo County runs the Dem booth for the state party. So those of us who are staying home will go work at the fair. Want to get the hell out of Dodge and come down and have a better time than you will in the Metro area?

  2. What all the fuss is about. Why do so many people want to go to this convention? Let’s be honest here, “volunteers” offer their time so they can see the convention in action, but it’s not really worth it.

    1. I recall seeing an article a while back that indicated it would be difficult to get a volunteer job inside the Pepsi Center. Even if a person did have a job inside the Pepsi Center, how much of the time will be fun and interesting versus how much of the time will be a big snooze?

      1. I filled out both hard copy and internet volunteer forms and have never heard a word.  And you’re right.  You have a very low chance of getting to be a volunteer inside the Pepsi Center in any case.  I’d rather just hit some rallies, outlying events etc.   Let’s hope some actual volunteers are being lined up by somebody.  

        1. Volunteer for a campaign? There are several races in which you could be more effective than anything the bloated DNC could have you do.

          You can help the party more by getting solid leaders elected.

          1. Was just making the point that my experience with volunteering for the convention was no response whatsoever.  As usual, I’ll be going door to door, phone banking etc for a variety of Dem candidates from the top to the bottom of the ticket. And you’re right Skylar. A lot of new people are involved because of the excitement of the presidential race and the convention but  grassroots efforts from the bottom up are  critical.  

            For instance, Ken Salazar as AG saved us from being stuck for good with another safe Republican congressional district when our Republican controlled Assembly tried to do here what the Republicans did in Texas.  Because he helped secure a competitive 7th district Ed Perlmutter was able to become one of the new US Reps who helped Dems take back the House.  

            If we don’t want to risk losing the next new congressional district to Republican partisan re-districting, we need to keep our Dem majority in the State Assembly.  We also want Dem AGs and SOSs. Republicans have been doing a great bottom up job for decades. That means working for your local state senate and state house candidates and for AG and SOS candidates even though that’s not as sexy as being at the convention with Obama.

            Some of these people will go on to become US Reps and Senators, or Governor, cabinet members or even President or VP some day.  Candidates don’t start at the top, unless  they have a name like Clinton, and volunteering shouldn’t be confined to the top either.  

            We also need to be involved in getting people unto boards, county commissions, city councils etc.  It all matters. A lot.

            1. Many younger Americans get so excited about presidential elections they set themselves up to be extremely disappointed when their candidate doesn’t win. They want nothing to do with the less glamorous races you mentioned, though they could have a real impact on their world if they got involved on a local level.

              1. speaking as a rather young and rather active democrat I have to say that you are about half right.  It is true that the majority of younger  americans love the glamour of the presidential race, but that does not apply to everyone.  I can think of a few reasons for this.  First off, on our sources of entertainment and news we only ever hear about the national race.  MTV to yahoo news, thats all they carry, so for some its all they ever hear about.  Once many young americans do decide to get involved they have gotten involved with the national campaign and while they may learn about the local candidates and support them, they simply do not have time, or do not know how to make time to do both.

                I do not believe that this is true for all of us though.  Personally I am supporting the candidate that I feel can make the biggest, most rapid changes that I believe in.  That is Obama.  I have no doubt in my mind that when Jared is elected we will see great things happen, when Rollie or Cindy is elected we will see great things.  When Besty is elected we will see a real change, but I am forced to evaluate three things.  

                First is how much time I can spend.  I work 40 hours a week, and I am spending around 20-30 in the Obama office.  That leaves very little time for myself.  I must evaluate who I think will make the biggest, fastest difference as a single candidate.  Finally I must decide how best I can use my abilities.  For some like Blue Cat they may work best when working for anyone, and are willing to put up with very different styles of campaigns.  For others working at the CDP headquarters may be best.  For me The best option is to work with all my heart on one campaign.  I get to know who I am working with, for, and who I will be helping to do the work for the campaign.  This is my best mode of operation.  

                Sorry for the long post, but I felt it necessary to defend those who are my age and working hard for Obama, or Hillary, or even McCain.  At least we are doing something.

                1. And it isn’t just younger people who often ignore the least glamorous rungs of the political ladder.  It’s all of us. The greatest thing about the Obama campaign has been the way it’s inspired so many young people to really start zeroing in on the fact that politics is important to everyone’s every day life.  Most people, young and old,  don’t pay close attention but the more of us who do, the more we can bring about real change.  

                  1. While my perspective on the political world is vastly different now than it was a year ago, I have no doubt that it will be different again after november, but I can tell you right now that the tight ship, well organized and extremely professional campaign that Obama has put together will have a huge impact on campaigns in the future, especially as current staffers find other jobs with other campaigns down the road.  This is a new type of politics, both on the outside and inside, so be ready.

                2. I never said it was wrong to volunteer for a presidential candidate, but I would caution anyone to avoid becoming depressed if/when their favorite presidential candidate loses.

                  While I strongly disagree that any of the presidential candidates will be able to make a large difference quickly, I wish you luck as you work for Obama. Personally, I think the candidates are tragically similar on most issues. Obama does have a great energy, but I am unimpressed with his policy and plans.

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