A New Chapter

Trip Start May 31, 2006
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Trip End ??? ??, 2006


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Flag of United States  , Wisconsin,
Friday, May 26, 2006

Last summer I went out on a limb and decided to volunteer for the ONE Campaign at the Dave Matthews Band concert. It was a fun experience and I went on to do two Coldplay shows and a U2 show eventually. At the end of April I received an email about an internship with Lokahi Outreach. Lokahi Outreach does grassroots campaigning for the ONE Campaign and I worked with them at the DMB and U2 shows (Coldplay was run by Oxfam).

For those of you that don't know, I've been very active on campus this past year, starting my own student organization (Third World Action) and working a lot with another (Student Labor Action Coalition). Besides concert outreach, I've done some canvassing on campus and Ald. Murphy sponsored the ONE Proclamation which was unanimously passed by the Milwaukee Common Council in January.

After a couple of interviews, I have been accepted and I will be heading out to start training on the Pearl Jam/Tom Petty Tour On Wed. 5/31. So what will I be doing? I'll let the application give you a better description than I could:

We work at about three to four events per week, and spend most days off traveling. A typical day of outreach might go as following: wake up at the hotel and do a handful of light admin duties, depending on the day. Check in with your tour lead to confirm leave time. Leave for the venue at about 2 or 3 pm, talking about the goals of the Campaign outreach for that night as you drive. Arrive at the venue and help load in: tent, tables, totes. Set up your booth. Help your tour lead do an inventory check. Grab some food. Meet volunteers at their check in spot at about 5:30, and help your tour lead train them. Doors open at 6 or 7pm, volunteers are placed throughout the venue, you alternate between working the table with your tour lead and fellow interns - talking to the public and getting them involved with the campaign, light fundraising by selling merch related to the campaign - and floating to check in with your volunteers. You get a bit of a break while the headlining performer is on. Most events wind down by 11pm; you'll talk to fans for about half an hour after the show as they leave, once the crowd thins down take a group photo and thank volunteers, break down booth and load out by about 12:30. Head back to the hotel. Wake up, drive to next town and check into new hotel. Repeat the above scenario about forty more times.

That's all the info I have for now, but I'll update when I know more. I have no idea how long I'll be doing this for this summer because of the nature of the work, but I have a feeling it's going to be intense, exhausting, and memorable. For now, check the ONE Campaign website and sign the Petition if you feel inclined to do so.
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