[Community-service] great meeting

Thu Jul 14 23:40:19 UTC 2011

MessageYasmin,
Yes it would be good to have the minutes, but maybe they are only given to group members.

A familiar  story. Many college grads couldn’t find a job. I graduated in 2009 from Marymount university with a BA in liberal studies, mainly a mix of social science classes. When did you graduate?

Yes its good you volunteered and thereby impressed employers. What did you do for Smithsonian  and library of congress? You are fortunate to volunteer for not one but two large government institutions.
Actually I work temporarily for LOC in NLS but that ends in september.

I’ve faced barriers to volunteering because it seems like the staff aren’t willing to find work I can do or train me to do it; might take a little longer with  a screen reader since I got to tab through stuff rather than skimming.  I have to explore line by line to familiarize myself with a new website or database.
I’m sure they train other volunteers; everyone starts at the beginning.

I wanted to volunteer at well known places such as Red cross and Smithsonian. Red cross gave me the run around, unfortunately. I have good writing skills and a pleasant voice.  Red Cross could have used my communications skills in their development and communications team.

I did all the volunteer background steps: the criminal background check, filling out paperwork, attending a volunteer orientation, interviews etc.
But once jaws was installed at a computer there, the head of development just kind of ingnored me when I came to work even though in the meeting he said the right stuff. Another volunteer showed me the database sort of but I needed training and assignments to do and all I did was help stuff envelopes wich needed no vision and prior training.

You are fortunate to volunteer with Smithsonian. I also wanted to volunteer there. Again, I did the process: the application, interview, the check, and even got a badge. They told me I’d work in the Accessibility office at the National american history museum and I’d work on editing/transcribing documents into braille; that would be my  main task. Well when I interviewed with the accessibility department they were noncommital and could not tell me a start date, could not even load the demo of jaws because they didn’t have admin rights,
could not tell me what assignments I’d have, etc.  They failed to follow up with me or return emails, so it didn’t work out; I called the program coordinator requesting another volunteer placement, but she had none because it was summer and they had interns.

Later I wanted to volunteer again and when I contacted her, she said they didn’t have a position.  So that makes me wonder what you did for them? I wanted to use my writing, research, and personal skills for them; I wanted to assist them in the office doing tasks like answering phones, copying, maybe delivering mail and other projects. I felt SI was a good place as it is well known and I figured the government would find a placement for someone like me to diversify their volunteer pool. Not the case.

That said, I’m looking to volunteering 
with the park service; so we’ll see. First I’m finishing my job.
As for coming to the meeting, ah that is quite a treck; I’m in the DC area, not exactly in DC and that is a very long metro ride down there.
Thanks though.

Ashley

From: Reyazuddin, Yasmin 
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 8:23 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List 
Subject: Re: [Community-service] great meeting

Hi Ashley and others, 
It will be a great idea if we have the minutes of the organizing meeting posted on the list. 
Ashley You live in D.C. you can come to our chapter meeting this Saturday at the Silver Spring Library. The meeting will be from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. I have some ideas for a service project for our chapter and we may discuss them. 
When I finished school, I could not find a job. I volunteered at some well known places such as Library of Congress and Smithsonian. That is how I got the job in Montgomery county. My employers were impressed that I could volunteer my time and to get to places. 
Now I want to do more than just volunteer. I want to give back as we are having a tough economic time. 
Also there are legally blind or blind veterans who are in need of services. 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

This message may contain protected health information or other information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this material. 

Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of bookwormahb at earthlink.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 7:03 PM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] great meeting

Yasmin,
I am glad you had a good time. I may not make it to conventions due to expense and other obligations at home not to mention the fear of the new invasive TSA security measures when flying. Anyway, I too, hope this list is more active.
What do you do for community service?
I’m going to make the next call, when you all have one.
I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and after my temporary four month job ends, I’ll do more. I’m a young adult who needs a job but I don’t have much experience. I see volunteering as a way to show my skills, try new ones, network, and possibly get a job since volunteering can turn into a job.

I’ve volunteered for political candidates, at my talking book library, served food at a shelter with my church and did a few projects with campus ministry such as stuffing backpacks after Huricane Catrina.
Actually I’m in the DC area not far from Rockville where you work.
Your name sounds very familiar; were'n’t you in a press release for NFB?
I could actually get to rockville via metro. If your agency has openings for someone doing clerical or communications work, let me know. We can chat off list further, perhaps.
I have a general BA from Marymount university in communications/psychology.

Ashley

From: Reyazuddin, Yasmin 
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:01 AM
To: community-service at nfbnet.org 
Subject: [Community-service] great meeting

Hi Everyone, 
What a great meeting we had last weekend at the convention. 
Yesterday, I signed up for the list and thought about some service projects. I hope that there will be some activity on this list. 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

This message may contain protected health information or other information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this material. 

Thank you.

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