Over 850 students and community members signed up to volunteer for the presidential debate, according to director of campus life Carl Johnson.
Debate volunteers helps university succeed
Volunteers will work on a variety of tasks this week including security screening, parking instructions and answering general questions to make the debate run smoother.
According to Johnson, each volunteer attended a one-hour training session where they learned their duties as a volunteer representative of DU and received their debate polo shirts and hats.
Most of the volunteers are excited to donate their time for more reasons than a free debate t-shirt. For some students, it’s about being a part of the historical event that is happening right in front of them. For community members, it’s about giving back to the school or being a part of the Denver community.
“I wanted to volunteer to be a part of this incredible experience that is happening on our campus,” said Alisa Brown, a second year busineses student volunteer . “I’m very excited to meet important people and help this event run smoothly!”
Brown has two volunteer assignments for this week. She is volunteering a total of four days, two of which she did over the weekend.
“I am working the Rate Card system in Centennial Halls issuing various things for the media like parking, equipment and pointing them in the correct direction. I am also a ‘wayfinder’ and will be helping people on campus find the places they need to be.”
Chelsea Warren, another second year volunteer, is part of the team coordinating the volunteer effort. She’ll specifically help train volunteers who are helping with lost and found and recycling.
According to Warren, she got involved with the volunteer force as early as possible last year.
“As soon as I learned about the debate coming to campus I knew that I wanted to be involved,” said Warren. “So once I was asked to be on the volunteer subcommittee – well I said yes in a heartbeat.”
Warren is dedicated to getting the most she can out of the debate.
“It’s one thing to say that you had a presidential debate come to your school,” said Warren. “But to me I’ll remember that I took advantage of the presidential debate coming to campus by getting involved.”
It’s not just students who want to take advantage of the debate being held in Denver. Pam Peccolo is a mother of two DU students and Castle Rock local.
“As soon as I heard that the first 2012 Presidential Debate would be at DU, I knew I wanted to volunteer in some way,” said Peccolo. “I’m a member of the Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and when PRSA sent out an email to our membership about needing volunteers, I responded immediately.”
Peccolo, who will mostly be working with the media by giving them information and directions, wanted to volunteer for a number of reasons.
“There are three reasons I volunteered,” said Peccolo. “First, I want to give back to DU. I have two students here, my husband received his MBA from Daniels and I have a certificate in High Performance Leadership from DU, so I’m kind of a fan mom of the university. Second, I believe this will be an extremely pivotal election, so in my own small way, I’m trying to help the democratic process thrive.”
When asked what she hopes to get out of her volunteer experience, Peccolo said she wants to see college students enthusiastic about the democratic process.
“I hope to hear that every one of [the students] plans to vote in the coming election and throughout their lives.”
Volunteers have been placed in various locations around campus in the days leading up to the debate to help welcome all of the political figures to DU.
“The primary role of the volunteers is so that the whole event goes smoothly and so that everyone, including the volunteers, can just enjoy the event and the climate on campus,” said Warren. “DebateFest wouldn’t be much fun if everything doesn’t run smoothly.”
