South Carolina Democratic Party

Becoming a Delegate

To: Interested SC Democrats
From: Carol Fowler, Chair
Subject: Convention Volunteers and Guests
May 4, 2008

As you know, the Democratic National Convention will be held in Denver the week of August 24-29, with the actual sessions on Monday through Thursday afternoons and evenings. 

A number of people have inquired about going to the Democratic National Convention as guests or to volunteer with the SC Delegation. Also, some of our Delegates and Alternates are planning to have a spouse or other family member accompany them. 

I am pleased that so many SC Democrats are interested in attending, but you should have a realistic idea of what to expect.  Following is information that you should have as you decide whether to go to Denver.

If you are going to be in Denver that week please let us know (jwerner@scdp.org) so that we can put you on our list to be notified of delegation events to which you are invited.

Guests

South Carolinians who come to Denver for the Convention will be invited to as many of our activities as possible.  That will include our Delegation breakfast meetings each morning.  If our Delegates are invited to parties, the sponsors/hosts might or might not include non-Delegates in the invitation.

No one is admitted to the Convention itself without a credential.  Delegates, Alternates, and members of the Standing Committees will of course be given credentials every day.  Beyond that, every state is given only a few credentials for guests who accompany the delegation.

We will not have enough guest credentials for everyone who wants to get into the Convention every day.    We will probably be allotted 6 to 8 credentials each day.  On Monday morning, August 25, at our breakfast meeting we will conduct a drawing for the credentials for the entire week. You must be present at that meeting to participate in the drawing.   We hope there will be enough credentials for every South Carolinian who is there to be able to attend the Convention at least one time.  There are no guarantees, however.

If you have a guest credential you will be able to ride a shuttle to the Pepsi Center and go inside.  Guests will be seated in a special area to observe the Convention.

Volunteers

There will be very little need for volunteers for our delegation, although we appreciate the many offers of assistance.  The SCDP staff will be in Denver to handle most of what has to be done.  There may be an occasional need for someone to run an errand or distribute handouts, but that’s about it.  Most of the work will be at our hotel, not at the Pepsi Center where the Convention takes place. 

If you would like to volunteer with the Convention itself, go to www.demconvention.com to sign up.  The Denver Host Committee will need about 10,000 volunteers to do various things around the city, from greeting people at the airport to riding the shuttle buses to and from the Pepsi Center.  Many of the volunteers will come from Colorado, of course.

Volunteers from SC, regardless of what work they are doing, may participate in the drawing for our guest credentials if they come to our August 25 breakfast meeting.

Hotel Rooms

The SC delegation will stay at the Radisson Stapleton Plaza. The only way to get a room there is to go through the SC Democratic Party.  We have been allotted enough rooms for the Delegates, Alternates, and Standing Committee members.  There are a few extras so that we can provide rooms to the SC media attending the Convention and to the sponsors who pay for our breakfast meetings. 

There will probably be a few rooms available for other South Carolinians who want to stay with us, but we cannot tell yet how many there will be.  When all the Delegates and Alternates have signed up for rooms (some might share, which will free up rooms) we will know what we have to work with.  We are keeping a waiting list, so if you want to be considered for a room let us know right away by emailing jwerner@scdp.org. )

You should wait to make airline reservations until you are certain you have a hotel room.  There are very few rooms available in Denver that week.

Thank you for your interest in the Convention.  I hope to see you there!

 

For a complete list of South Carolina delegates, click here.