What I notice:
-tired faces
-excited eyes exploring
-different heights
-different races
-different genders
-different accents
-political pins
-lace button up blouses
-many different questions, at least one from each voice
-handshakes
-converse all stars
-untied shoe laces
-lost confused looks
-ties
-tattoos
-rock and roll t-shirts
-high heels
-a girl with a peace bag
What I don't notice:
-yawns
-silence
-bad attitudes
-"make exceptions for me"
-students calling home (bad...but could be looked at as a positive thing)
Everybody arrived safely, and it took a 14 hour work day from the staff.
Monday, August 18, 2008
First Tasks
One of my first assignments is to gather all the event flyer's mailed to TWC, all the tickets and attaching invites requesting our presence, and all the events we only know about through web browsing. With all the information, I have then been asked to compile the stack into something of a schedule: organized, complete, chronological, and easy on the eyes.
As I'm doing this I notice all the interest groups, all the causes, and the variety of all agendas. As much more work as that requires for the organizing compiler, it forces me to realize what a big outlet this convention is. Not only for those involved, but for those groups advancing their own agenda, and what a melting pot of ideas, cultures and causes are going to be right here in Denver, very very soon. And the expansive importance of the DNC in Denver, is just starting to sink in. Thousands of People, all involved in something, all believing in something (not necessarily the same thing), coming together, to listen, to act, to react, to protest, to do something. The DNC is a chance for people to gather and voice democracy. It's going to be an inspiring thing to witness and partake in.
As I'm doing this I notice all the interest groups, all the causes, and the variety of all agendas. As much more work as that requires for the organizing compiler, it forces me to realize what a big outlet this convention is. Not only for those involved, but for those groups advancing their own agenda, and what a melting pot of ideas, cultures and causes are going to be right here in Denver, very very soon. And the expansive importance of the DNC in Denver, is just starting to sink in. Thousands of People, all involved in something, all believing in something (not necessarily the same thing), coming together, to listen, to act, to react, to protest, to do something. The DNC is a chance for people to gather and voice democracy. It's going to be an inspiring thing to witness and partake in.
First Days
Wednesday August 13
Here I am in Denver (again) to help out with The Washington Center's National Democratic Convention Seminar. It's a large program with around 50 staff and faculty, 370 interns, all of which are here to study, and be players in the game of conventions and the politics that take place there.
So far so good. The first two days of TWC's pre-seminar planning reminds me of the detail oriented days of the BFTF. With flight information, office set-up, housing lists, event planning, everybody is basically feeling there's a million things to do, with only a million seconds to do them. Learning more about what I'm doing everyday leaves me with a feeling of excitement as I become very anxious about the few weeks ahead.
So what am I doing?
Not being a Washington Center Employee, not being a Regis Volunteer, not being a member of the faculty, I am left with a undefined position, with a undefined description filled by only myself. Recruited straight from Tony Cerise, a Washington Center "honcho", I am an independent party. So I've taken it upon myself to define the role, by leaving it open, flexible, and ready.
The students come on Sunday, and on Monday, it all begins!
check out the website:
www.campaign2008.info/
Here I am in Denver (again) to help out with The Washington Center's National Democratic Convention Seminar. It's a large program with around 50 staff and faculty, 370 interns, all of which are here to study, and be players in the game of conventions and the politics that take place there.
So far so good. The first two days of TWC's pre-seminar planning reminds me of the detail oriented days of the BFTF. With flight information, office set-up, housing lists, event planning, everybody is basically feeling there's a million things to do, with only a million seconds to do them. Learning more about what I'm doing everyday leaves me with a feeling of excitement as I become very anxious about the few weeks ahead.
So what am I doing?
Not being a Washington Center Employee, not being a Regis Volunteer, not being a member of the faculty, I am left with a undefined position, with a undefined description filled by only myself. Recruited straight from Tony Cerise, a Washington Center "honcho", I am an independent party. So I've taken it upon myself to define the role, by leaving it open, flexible, and ready.
The students come on Sunday, and on Monday, it all begins!
check out the website:
www.campaign2008.info/
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