Tailgating


Sep 25th, 2009 3:26 PM EST
By Weldon Kennedy

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I’ve never thought about driving to a large parking lot and having a party out of the back of my car. As such, it’s hardly surprising that the phenomenon of tailgating took me a little bit by surprise. But here on the North American U2 tour, the stadium parking lots turn into a massive series of parties, each of which is a veritable gold mine for new ONE members. It’s fantastic.

Just as every city and stadium presents a different way to sign up ONE members, I also find there are people with a variety of motives for joining. Everyone has a different reason for joining, from people who have a personal experience with extreme poverty to environmentalists who are concerned that not enough is being done to help the poor adapt to climate change. Whatever the person’s reason for joining, all it takes is a few seconds of introduction to ONE for most people to be convinced that they want to be members. And hence, I love all the tailgaters who give time (and sometimes food) to my ONE volunteers. Party on in the parking lot.

-Weldon Kennedy

TAGS: ONE Members, Spotlight, U2 360 Tour

 

8 Comments

  1. Pamsays: Sep 25th, 2009 11:07 PM EST

    September 25, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    Tailgaters were awesome! Thanks to all who offered food and/or drink to those of us who were asking you to join!
  2. Maggiesays: Sep 26th, 2009 12:17 AM EST

    September 26, 2009 at 12:17 am

    Weldon, can you post the group picture of the volunteers from 9/23? Thanks, Maggie
  3. janice cuthbertsonsays: Sep 26th, 2009 1:23 PM EST

    September 26, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    hey weldon…enjoy your time off! in addition, could you please upload the pic from toronto’s 9/17 volunteers? thank you in advance…janice
  4. bryansays: Sep 26th, 2009 2:08 PM EST

    September 26, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    One of many tailgaters that signed-up to support the ONE.ORG cause.

    Glad to participate in a great cause making a huge difference!
  5. Juvenalsays: Sep 26th, 2009 4:32 PM EST

    September 26, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    With all due respect, how bizarrely elitist and/or out of touch is it to say you never “considered” tailgating?
  6. Mikesays: Sep 27th, 2009 12:58 PM EST

    September 27, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    Hey Weldon,

    Gr8 to spot yet another super successful ONE event….can you upload snaps of Boston 9/20 U2 Show on Flickr pls

    Cheers!
  7. juliesays: Sep 28th, 2009 12:39 PM EST

    September 28, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    I went to the Giants stadium shows and was totally surprised to see all the tailgaters! I thought that was a rite of passage reserved for football games. Very cool that you guys saw the opportunity to recruit more members. Nice going.
  8. Josephsays: Sep 28th, 2009 12:59 PM EST

    September 28, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    Hey Weldon,

    I attended the Dublin show and joined ONE there. I live in the U.S. How can I volunteer to help sign up others?

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