Forty-five hundred people. Thirty-something new friends. A grand opening session. This has been the biggest conference I have attended so far. This was the National Conference on Volunteering and Service (NCVS) 2009. It was a gathering of various non-profits, government agencies, and corporations all over the United States.
So, why was Hands On Manila part of this convention? We got into the picture because our organization was an international affiliate of HandsOn Network of the Points of Light Institute, which was one of the organizers of the event.
Along with a few international affiliates, we started a day and a half in advance than the conference participants in one of the smaller board rooms of Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, California, USA. The pre-conference was the New International Affiliate Training Institute (NIATI) intended for all international affiliates and partners of HandsOn Network to share and learn programs implemented in various countries. When it comes to presentations and milestones, trust the Filipinos to step up and share their best practices.
There we were handling various sessions for the pre-conference. Not only have we learned from each other, but the intimate gathering of only 25 to 30 people enabled us to get to know each other better. Representatives from the Philippines, China, the Netherlands, Brazil, El Salvador, Canada, India, Korea, Japan, and Singapore found a common ground in the US-centered conference. We also made friends from other NIATI attendees who were based in the US and the UK, like the representatives of LA Works, Business in Community, HandsOn Bay Area, and organizations from Michigan, Ohio, and Arizona.
These pre-conference attendees have become good friends; we’re always together in breakfasts, breakout sessions, and other large group activities participated by about 5,000 people. Moscone Center West was filled with booths, goodies, and advocates of volunteerism.
On our last pre-conference session, HandsOn Network President Michelle Nunn, daughter of former US Senator Sam Nunn, introduced Points of Light Chairman of the Board Neil Bush, who introduced himself as the son of Barbara Bush (and of former US President George Bush, and also the brother of former US President George W. Bush). He honored the international affiliates with his impromptu appearance in our exclusive gathering.
But what really fired up the energy was the opening session of the Conference proper. Before we left the Philippines, we heard unconfirmed reports of US First Lady Michelle Obama gracing it. No one would say a word but eventually word got out. Hours prior to the opening, people were lining up at the venue. There were so many who wanted to be in the same room as the First Lady. The queue went all the way to the street at the side of Moscone West.
The pre-conference participants, mostly from the international conference, were still together, like one contingent. Since we were the only ones with the pre-conference sessions, we had to get out of the venue and join the crowd outside to line up again on our way in, going through all the security measures, before we finally made it inside the Grand Ballroom.
I was excited to see the First Lady. I recalled the international figures I’ve seen – Pope John Paul II, former US First Lady Hillary Clinton, former US President Jimmy Carter, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Before she came onstage, we heard L’Oreal model Kerry Washington, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and California Governor Arnold Shwarzenegger deliver their speeches. When Michelle Obama finally made her appearance, everyone was cheering, obviously inspired by her speech. California First Lady Maria Shriver also had a special part at the opening. Earlier that day, she and First Lady Michelle Obama worked in one of the schools. Of course, we were also treated to some Hollywood hotties like Jon Bon Jovi and Matthew McConaughey, both members of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, and each advocating for a particular cause.
As for Matthew McConaughey, it was almost the end of the program and we have already heard too many speeches so we stepped out of the room. We went to the lobby waiting for the bus to Fort Mason when Matthew’s name was called. The ladies all rushed back into the hall. It was a funny sight! And with security no longer tight, I squeezed myself right in front of the stage to have a close-up shot of Matthew. Yes, I was totally star struck with this hunk!
The opening day capped with a party sponsored by Target. We were allowed two free hard drinks and overflowing soda, apart from the free cocktail food. Most of all, we danced the night away as Shaka Khan entertained us with her upbeat songs, especially the popular “I’m Every Woman”. She also sang one of my favorites, “Through the Fire”.
For four days, Moscone West became the centerpiece of volunteerism in America. The second and third floors were filled with sponsors and organizations flocked by those with inquiries and those wanting some giveaways (including this author!) All forty-five hundred people were swarming, going back and forth from one session to another in between two hours. We also have special affiliate breakfasts and lunches at Hilton.
Those four days were like a hurricane of excitement and positive energy. See, volunteerism can be so much fun! Imagine supporting such a worthy cause and, at the same time, be in the same league with the US First Lady and several artists and stars! US President Obama recently launched his infomercial calling Americans to volunteer. I think that call can be echoed throughout the world. And, oh, did I mention that we were interviewed by ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC)?
