Article Contributed on: 8/27/2008 4:09:36 PM
Beyond the delegates, politicians and the DNC committee, there are thousands of people behind the scenes who are making the DNC happen. The volunteers.
These are the people I've seen on the streets corners answering questions and giving directions, the people poised at the recycling centers to make sure you compost correctly and making delegates feel welcome at their hotels.
On such volunteer is Denver resident
Jesse Hernandez, who was at the Embassy Suites at 1-70 and Havana the evenings of Aug. 25 and 26. During his shift, he answered questions about parking downtown, shuttles to the Pepsi Center and handed out info on Colorado.
He said Aug. 25 was kind of crazy because many of the delegates staying at the hotel were from Florida and had their flights delayed because of a tropical storm. Then, a mix up with credentials left some delegates with no way to get to the Pepsi Center.
"It's been great meeting new people," said Hernandez, who had the opportunity to chat with Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, among others.
DNC volunteers had to attend a two-and-a-half hour training on July 26 or watch a training video, Hernandez said. He said the training went over how to talk to people, such as not asking someone from Europe what they do for a living, which is considered rude.
The training also addressed how to utilize 311, a free service where volunteers (or anyone) can call to ask questions, such as finding out if a certain restaurant downtown would be easily accessible by someone with a disability, Hernandez said.
Volunteers also were given a list of facts about Colorado and Denver they should know, such as Colorado's 300 days of sunshine and large park system.
"It's all about knowing your city and being proud of it," Hernandez said.
While attending the training, Hernandez said he was amazed by all the people who were from outside Colorado, and even from outside the country.
The willingness to volunteer embodies the Democratic party as a whole, Hernandez said.
"The feeling of compassion is shared, and these are people who know what it's like to need help," he said.