I just got back from the Stand-Up in downtown Orlando. I’m having a hard time even knowing where to begin. I’m feeling a little emotional about the great response from attendees, the new people I met, and just the general feel of the entire event.

If there’s anything I’ve forgotten below, it was surely captured by the film crew from a local production company, as well as professional photographer, Nicole, who was in, under, and around, every moment of the event.

We started at 5 PM. Everyone was welcomed by ONE volunteers and heard the music of “The North,” an awesome rock band who promotes ONE wherever they go. People signed the ONE Voter Pledge, signed the ONE Declaration, and to volunteer locally – and then received a ONE wristband, as a thank you for attending the event.

Everyone was very excited about taking part in the footprint art station – where everyone’s footprints were traced and designed. The prints symbolized the Stand-Up, and the activity gave everyone something to do while they enjoyed the music and listened to speakers. Big feet, tiny baby feet, bare feet, shoes, sandals, all took part in the over 150 feet of stand-up art!

Before we announced each speaker, we let everyone know how much time was left before the Stand-Up: “45 min left until Stand-Up”… “30 min left until Stand-Up” etc.

We were joined by:

Natasha McIntosh with North-South Marketplace and Fair Trade for a Greater Orlando Coalition.

Joe Perry, from RESULTS, who provided fantastic information about the “political will to end hunger” and told us ways to take action through the RESULTS website.

I then followed up with information about the ONE Voter Pledge and reminded people, “that with just weeks to go until the election, it’s time to contact Congress.” (We made it easy for them by providing phone numbers and questions to ask their candidates.)

We really had a lot of fun with our next eight guests…the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Volunteers from local aid groups in the community each wore a T-shirt representing a goal of the MDGs (that I hand-made the night before!) Information was read explaining the Millennium Development Goals by ONE Orlando volunteer Jody Miller, followed by each volunteer introducing their goal to the crowd.

Next up was Derreck Kayongo of CARE International. Now you’re really missing out if you haven’t had the opportunity to hear Derreck speak…or should I say sing! Derreck led an African song entitled “Mwoyoni Mwoyni” – which means “In my soul” – we were surprised that the audience started dancing, and repeating Derrecks words – joined in by the impromptu accompaniment of the conga drummer from the band “The Fore Fathers…. a local Orlando band who donated hours of their time to support ONE… .www.myspace.com/theforefathers.”

Derreck and I then engaged the audience with a little bit of trivia – asking questions of the audience. People answering correctly received a ONE T-shirt, wristband and pin. One of the questions was “What is Millennium Goal No. Four?” Many adults yelled out the answer: reduce child mortality. When asked why this goal is so important, the most moving answer came from a little girl, maybe 8 years old. She came up to the stage and said “because we are precious little creatures.”

The next significant moment of our event was inviting all the ONE volunteers up to the stage to take part in receiving a proclamation from Commissioner Phil Diamond, on behalf of Mayor Buddy Dyer, proclaiming Orlando a “City of ONE.” After this proclamation, I reminded all of the volunteers that this is being received – because of all of the hard work the volunteers have put into making this campaign a success in Central Florida for the past year and a half.

The microphone was then handed over to Mr. Charlie Stuart, a candidate for the House, who made a great statement about “holding the government accountable” for the promises they’ve made regarding extreme poverty. He then asked for a ONE Voter Pledge and a pen, signed the ONE voter pledge and encouraged everyone to do the same. (We had invited all of our local representatives, from the left and right, but he was the only one who was able to make it.)

Then, the time we were all waiting for: We asked all of our guests to gather together as close as they can to the stage. ONE Orlando volunteer Edgard Robelo asked everyone to sit or kneel, and he read a statement about making poverty history.

I then asked everyone to “Stand-Up.” While everyone stood, I read the ONE Voter Pledge, and after each sentence, everyone cheered.

We then asked everyone to hold up their white band, and join hands for a moment of silence. I was moved to be part of such a great experience: over 260 people all connecting for a common cause. Some people were in tears. I thanked everyone for joining us (again) and encouraged them to continue working with ONE.

Then we asked them to turn around and enjoy the first viewing of the ONE Voter Ad. Following the ad, people talked to their neighbors, enjoyed the rest of the evening’s music, and took a last look at the Stand-Up art.

And then we packed it all up.

We felt good knowing we have spread the word a little further today. There was a true sense of family among the community at our event. I am so proud to represent ONE, and am honored to be surrounded by such committed partner organizations.

And to the ONE Orlando Volunteers: You were the ones that really made this happen. You guys rock! Love ya, Joan.