Certainly I cannot be the only conservative volunteering for the Democratic National Convention ... am I?  So far the people I have mentioned this to assume I have "gone over to the other side" and have given me the obvious accompanying looks. A few have recoiled ... not in fear, but in disgust. Well, ok. But here's the deal:   I live in Denver. For three dollars I can ride the light-rail straight to the convention's front door. For nothing, I can get inside the doings of the volunteer organization. And depending on my "assignment" who knows what I will see and hear and experience. This is History in the making! How cool is that? After years of attending conventions vicariously through my television screen I get to participate in the real thing and I'd be a fool not to.

I attended the 3-hour volunteer training. I was impressed. I couldn't help wonder how the Republican volunteer committee and their preparations compared to what I was experiencing. I understand the number of volunteers for the Minnesota bash is a fraction of what the Dems have going here. Wonder why.

The volunteer get-together was part training / part pep rally.  A Dale Carnegie speaker took us through a communication process for making people feel comfortable and important. We had interactive "games" with people sitting near us. As much as I loath those little adventures they actually worked. I know two of my fellow volunteers well enough to tell you about them. Both are young enough to be my children. The young woman is a professional ... in the natural gas business, of all things! Lively, bright and enthusiastic. The young man is a recent Denver arrival, having just purchased his first home. He never missed one opportunity to whoop and put his hands together as he listened intently to all that was being said.

A woman spoke about ways of accommodating the disabled visitors. Did you know you can dial 311 to get information on specific questions about disabled issues? I didn't before but I do now. Her examples were excellent and I have no doubt that should I get the opportunity to help a disabled person I would know how to handle it. This info goes with me way beyond the convention ... of course.

The cheerleader of the group was a gentleman who ticked off the wide array of attractions the Denver visitors can experience. He urged us to know the city and know the places that make our home unique. Visitors will be encouraged to see more than the inside of the convention center. I've lived in Denver 20 years and learned a few things from this guy! Who knew that Denver had the most in-city bike trails of any city in the country? And visitors can ride those trails thanks to the "bike libraries" scattered around the city. Free to anyone, you simply "borrow" a bike, helmet, bike lock and map for your ride and when the ol' legs start hurting, leave the bike at the nearest "bike library" for someone else to borrow. We are to urge out-of-towners to DRINK WATER ... as they have no idea how easily one becomes dehydrated in these parts. Plus, water helps stave off altitude sickness. However, wanting to be GREEN ... we are to dissuade folks from becoming serial "water in plastic bottle" buyers. Instead, they need to learn how us Denverites lug around our own personal and well-loved bottles wherever we go. For those who have never tried water from the tap (what a concept) some will be surprised at the delicious, refreshing taste. To encourage our guests to use one bottle throughout their stay water bottle “filling stations” will be available nearly everywhere. Cool.

I am definitely not a Democrat or a Liberal or an Obama backer. But I am a U.S. citizen who feels honored to be even a small part of my country's awesome election process. I may disagree with my fellow volunteers but I am happy to be among them.