Project Graduation 2010 - Volunteer Opportunity

[FTL_Ian]

We had a good turnout of liberty activists for last year's Project Graduation.  It's on again and though Eli Rivera, the event's head organizer, is giving me the silent treatment (presumably because he blames me for the candlelight vigils), the event still could use our help, and their volunteer coordinator Christine Kehoe is more than happy to accept our assistance.  Here's her email describing the shifts they need to fill:

We appreciate all the support you gave to last year's event and are looking forward to having as many people back as you can convince to come out in the dead of night! The most difficult shift to fill is the late one, 12:30-4 am. We also have a lot of difficulty getting early birds in at 4 am to start the clean-up. However we are not fussy and first responses get the shift of choice so the 9 pm- 12:30 am shift is available to everyone who commits early.

Thanks for all your help!
Christine Kehoe
Volunteer Coordinator

The event is Friday, June 11th - Saturday, June 12th at Keene High School

If you can help between 9p and 12:30a on Friday night or 12:30a and 4a early Sat AM or on the cleanup crew 4a-?, please reply to this thread with your choice.  I will pass on a list of names to Christine and relay any further information I receive about the event here to this thread.

Last year Friends of Keene like Mike Barskey and Kellie from Nashua helped out, so you don't need to be from Keene to help - you just need to be willing to help and show up when scheduled.

[FTL_Ian]

I will be taking a 12:30a-4a shift.

[Coconut]

I will work my 5th year in a row at this event.

9p-4a. Presumably dealing poker and blackjack, as I always do.

[FTL_Ian]

A little more about the event - there are various areas in which they need assistance - all are pretty easy to get the hang of.  Last year we were assigned a spot (the game room) when we arrived.  It's a great opportunity to be seen by both young Keeniacs and older community-involved Keeniacs, who may have only seen us waving signs, or getting arrested.  Not that we are obvious about who we are while we are volunteering at the event.  (FK T-shirts have been suggested, but that seems too pushy and tacky.)  That said, I imagine the word gets around to the volunteers at least that the Free Staters are helping with the event.  So, it's a great opportunity to show that we are useful members of the community here and that we're more than just about liberty activism!

You will be fed - there's a variety of food that is available gratis from a number of vendors.  KPD's Shane Maxfield himself was serving it up last year.

I had fun.  Also, for those who really dig Project Grad, they are looking to fill seats on the Board of Directors.  Details here:  http://www.keeneprojectgrad.org  The Board of Directors opportunity I think would suit longtime event volunteers and Keeniacs like Coconut.

[Dalebert]

I'll take the 12:30 to 4 shift.  Now that I've done overnights at the shelter, that seems like a breeze by comparison.

[Trifith]

I'll take a 12:30-4 shift as well. I'll also take some time on the cleanup crew afterwords.

[Sovereign Curtis]

So what is Project Graduation, exactly?

[Coconut]

So what is Project Graduation, exactly?

It is an all night "party" for high schoolers graduating from Keene High. It is billed as an attempt to keep kids from drinking and doing drugs in their own private parties (which even the police know they'll just do it the next night). It includes a number of activities that mostly center around earning and spending fake money they give out to kids. There are also shows such as magic and comic hypnotists, as well as fun things like body painting, free food, and those big inflatable obstacle courses.

[Patrick Shields]

I volunteered at this event last year, although, ironically, I was high-school age myself (since I graduated a year early and moved to Keene soon afterward.) I helped Keith run a baseball-oriented game in the gym, and had a lot of fun.

I don't think wearing libertarian or anti-authoritarian clothing would be tacky, unless the shirts themselves have tacky graphics.

It includes a number of activities that mostly center around earning and spending fake money [...]

Ah, yes. Much like the real world.

[FTL_Ian]

I meant everyone wearing the SAME shirt. 

[Sam A. Robrin]

Where are you going to find a shirt that big?

[EthanLeeVita]

[Dalebert]

I could design several different liberty designs with a Free Keene logo in the corner pocket area.

If I get enough pre-orders, I could justify a batch order with a bulk discount from Cafe Press and save a little on cost and shipping.  Then I could hock the rest at Free Keene Festival.

For that matter, I may just go ahead and host a Free Keene section in the store.

[KBCraig]

I didn't even know Pat K was a soccer fan.

[FTL_Ian]

So far only 4 volunteers.  We had I think 8 last year.  Anyone else want to step up?