Help Out at the GOP Convention
General Volunteer Opportunities
(See also Youth Convention Leaders & Official Philadelphia Freinds Programs, below)
The Republican National Convention, taking place from July 31 to August 3 at Comcast-Spectacor's First Union Center, is expected to draw 45,000 people, including volunteers, delegates and media. This represents a unique opportunity for all Philadelphians regardless of political bias to gain exposure and experience in the organization of a political convention, a hands-on understanding of the electoral process and/or to assist Philadelphia with the economic impact of the convention. The University of Pennsylvania is working hard to ensure that its faculty, staff and students take an active part in this tremendous once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Philadelphia 2000 is a non-profit, non-partisan organization made up of business and political leaders that serve as the official Host Committee for the 2000 Republican National Convention. In addition to recruiting and training convention volunteers, Philadelphia 2000 is responsible for raising the necessary funds for the convention, promoting the greater Philadelphia region and coordinating city and regional services needed for the convention.
To meet the needs of the convention, Philadelphia 2000 must recruit more than 15,000 volunteers to get the needed 10,000 for such a large event. Every volunteer will be an ambassador for the greater Philadelphia region. Convention volunteer opportunities fall into the following categories:
- General Volunteer: Registration, ticket-taking, office support (phones/e-mail), runner, usher, and other non-specific areas.
- Host/Hostess: Greeter, information representative at hotels, train stations, airports, and special events.
- Media Specialist: (knowledge/experience required) Coordinate with media and media related activities.
- Driver: Drive convention-issued vehicle to transport convention participants and VIPs. Must have valid driver's license.
- Security: Assist with crowd control and credential checks.
Specific skills being sought:
- Data Entry/Computer
- Foreign Language and ASL Skills
- Experience with Physically Challenged
- Greater Philadelphia Tourism Experience: able to give professional-level tours and information
We encourage all Penn faculty, staff and students who will be on campus or in Philadelphia over the summer to volunteer some (or all) of their spare time for the Republican National Convention. To volunteer, you must fill out the Philadelphia 2000 volunteer application. These can be obtained through a toll-free Convention Connection Hotline at 877-641-5215. Volunteer forms will also soon be available at various locations across campus. Each volunteer will receive free leadership and teamwork training and a certificate from Dale Carnegie Training. Each volunteer will also receive an official commemorative Republican National Convention shirt, and invitations to the Volunteer Pep Rally before the Convention and the Volunteer Thank You Party afterwards
Because Philadelphia 2000's mission is to enhance
the economic development aspect of the Convention, they are looking to highlight
Philadelphia as a great place to live and work to the young college students
and professionals who will be here during the RNC. Therefore, Philadelphia
2000 has created two unique RNC volunteer programs available to Philadelphia-area
young professionals: Youth Convention Leaders Program and the Official Philadelphia
Friends Program. Philadelphia 2000 has asked the University of Pennsylvania
to offer these programs to our young professional community (faculty, staff,
graduate students and young Philadelphia-area alumni). Interested candidates
should send their resume to Alison Grove at Philadelphia 2000, 2301 Market
Street, Suite S7-1, Philadelphia, PA 19103, alison.grove@phila.gov.
Youth Convention Leaders Program
Volunteers are needed to serve as Youth Convention Leaders for the 2000 Republican National Convention.
Young professionals (age 25-35) with an intimate knowledge of the Philadelphia area will serve as hosts to small groups of students (age 16-25) who are enrolled in the RNC Youth Convention.
Youth Convention Leaders must be available to assist with the Youth Convention from Saturday, July 29 through Friday, August 4. Responsibilities include:
- Oversight of Youth Convention schedule and participation by assigned Youth Convention group.
- Answering questions, trouble shooting and coordinating area services for Youth Convention members upon request.
- Provide an informed, insider's view of Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia region to Youth Convention members.
- Ensuring smooth transportation logistics for Youth Convention members to Convention related activities.
- Assist with coordination of Youth Convention activities including arrival ceremony of nominee, volunteer projects, social events and housing.
- 100% availability (24 hours a day, seven days a week) to Youth Convention members during Convention Week.
Official Philadelphia Friends Program
Civically involved individuals with appropriate hospitality, legislative or business experience to serve as Philadelphia 2000's official liaison with a specific state delegation or student group during the Republican National Convention.
Official Friends must possess an intimate knowledge of the Philadelphia area to include but not be limited to, restaurants, historic and cultural activities, transportation, local services and family activities.
Official Friends must be available to assist state delegations from Saturday, July 29 through Friday, August 4. Responsibilities include:
- Communication with delegation leaders prior to arrival.
- Welcoming delegation members upon arrival.
- Answering questions, trouble-shooting and coordinating area services for delegation members upon request.
- Ensuring smooth transportation logistics for delegation members to Convention-related activities.
- Provide an informed, insiders view of Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia region to delegation members.
- 100% availability (24 hours a day, seven days a week) to delegation members during Convention Week.
Philadelphia 2000 and the Committee on Arrangements will provide official Friend training regarding all convention-related events and services.
--Carol De Fries, Executive Director, Government Community & Public Affairs
Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 28, April 11, 2000