[Community-service] How About Helping Human Services?

Chris Parsons christine-parsons at sbcglobal.net
Thu Jul 18 19:24:17 UTC 2013


Hi all,

I’ve been watching this conversation unfold for a few days. I’m not usually 
the one who steps out there and says things (I’m more a behind-the-scenes 
kind of girl), but I wanted to jump in here for just a bit.

First, just as an observation, this is the most active this list has ever 
been. I absolutely love all the ideas and discussion that have been 
happening over the past few days.

I should probably introduce myself for those who are new (and I love that we 
have so many new people). My name is Chris. I’ve been around and a part of 
the leadership since the very beginning of this group, and in that time I’ve 
seen it go through a number of transitions. This is the beginning of a new 
one, and I’m excited to see where we go from here.

I think all of the ideas and discussion lately are wonderful. I am the kind 
of person who would love to be able to help everyone. Each of us who is on 
this list is here for a reason; something about service has drawn us here. 
For me, I love helping people, but I’m sometimes hesitant to put myself out 
there because I’m shy and not always sure how I can help. I’ve always loved 
the basic idea behind this group—to encourage people to get involved in 
service and to be active and contributing participants in their communities. 
But, perhaps because I am a little more shy and behind-the-scenes oriented, 
I’ve also loved the potential of this group as a place of networking and 
support, to serve as a resource and as encouragement for people wherever 
they are in their service experience.

As I mentioned before, this group has gone through a number of transitions. 
As we move forward now, I think one of the most important things is that we 
as a group have to be able to stand on our own and have our own clear 
identity as the NFB Community Service Group. I’m not saying we can’t or 
shouldn’t join with other like-minded organizations and agencies. In fact, 
as an organization that promotes community involvement, one of the things we 
have said in the past that we want to do is outreach to other service-minded 
agencies and organizations to further promote community involvement 
generally and the goals and philosophy of our group specifically. At the 
same time, this right now is a critical point in our development. We are 
setting the course for where we want to go, what projects we want to 
champion, and essentially, what we as the NFB Community Service Group want 
to be known for. We want to work toward becoming a division, and in doing 
that, I think we need to have a solid base on which to start that division. 
I think we need to make sure we are strong and solid as a group before we 
bring other groups, organizations, agencies into the mix in any large-scale 
way.

Having said this, I am definitely interested in learning more about all of 
the ideas people have proposed over the past few days. I am familiar with 
the human services field and the types of jobs it includes, and I look 
forward to hearing from Denise about her ideas. I am not familiar with the 
thrift store, but I would definitely like to learn more. I guess my only 
perhaps word of caution at this point as we move forward in this new stage 
of the group is that I think we have to make sure that we focus on making 
ourselves a strong group with a defined identity before we do too much 
outreaching, combining, or collaborating.

Thanks for reading what has turned into a bit of a novel, and I definitely 
welcome your thoughts and ideas on this. I look forward to working with all 
of you as we move forward with making this group strong and promoting 
community involvement. To use what has kind of become known as the tagline 
for the group:  Let’s get involved!

Chris


-----Original Message----- 
From: Darian Smith
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 4:39 PM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] {Disarmed} How About Helping Human 
Services?

how do you think the thrift store fits within the   framework/mission
of  the group?


On 7/17/13, Charlotte Czarnecki <charlotte.czarnecki at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> I also like the idea of our potential new division helping with the NFB
> thrift store. Additionally, I don't a problem with two divisions coming
> together to sponsor a project. Its definitely something we could talk 
> about
> with human services division and brainstorm a way in which we can
> collaborate appropriately.
> Charlotte
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 17, 2013, at 3:10 PM, "Tara Chavez" <tmatzick06 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> Ok, so I know I don’t write ever, but I saw this thread and wanted to
>> first welcome Jimmy to the group. Second, I agree with Michele. The NFB
>> thrift store idea sounds like it’s right up this group’s alley.
>> For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tara Chavez. I live in
>> Albuquerque New Mexico, with my husband and guide dog. I am currently
>> working for the US Forest Service as a safety technician for the Chief
>> information Office. I hope to eventually acquire a permanent position
>> working in the validation and testing area working with the team ensuring
>> all softwares and applications are accessible to everyone. I have
>> participated in the various community service projects the Forest service
>> has done and I’ve loved them. Most of them have been donating items for
>> animals, veterans, and currently the Feds Feed Families project is taking
>> place. I’d love to take a leadership role on in this group if there is 
>> one
>> available. As of this moment, I’m re-re-re-committing myself to this
>> organization and this group. I hope everyone is doing well.
>> Tara Chavez
>> 2nd Vice-President, Albuquerque Chapter, NFB of NM
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Catherine Michele Mitchell
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 12:20 PM
>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>> Cc: Community Service Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] {Disarmed} How About Helping Human
>> Services?
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I certainly have no personal objection to working in conjunction with the
>> human services division; however, keeping in mind the discussion during
>> the organizing meeting at national, might we Not run into the same 
>> problem
>>  Darian Brought up when we were discussing possibly working with the deaf
>> blind division?
>>
>> Also, and I don't know if this would fall into the same category of
>> internal projects Which might cause internal conflicts, but what do you
>> guys think about getting involved with the development of the new NFB
>> thrift store project? The store is in itself a community service project.
>> Plus, we will be helping to bring attention to the unfair wage practices
>> of the Goodwill chain.
>>
>> Michele
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Jul 17, 2013, at 11:47 AM, Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hello and my apologies,
>> I believe that the misspell was a function of auto correct more than
>> anything but again I apologize.
>> As the group has grown probably the most persistent problem is the lack 
>> of
>> committed leadership.  The concern of any project that we take on is the
>> amount of people who would be behind it. We are looking to organize Our
>> direction and goals and prioritize our projects.
>>  I think that right now is a good time to have such discussion, so we can
>> clearly ascertain the benefits and drawbacks to a potential partnership.
>>
>>
>> This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
>>
>> On Jul 17, 2013, at 7:56 AM, "Denise Shaible" <denise.shaible at att.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Darian,
>>
>> First of all, my name is spelled Denise not Denice.  No biggie but, 
>> wanted
>> to clarify that.  Next, I understand what you’re saying about not being
>> able to serve in community settings because of blindness.  I have been
>> turned away from church projects for that reason.  I believe I understand
>> more fully the goals of the Community Service Group.  I would definitely
>> like to help in the pursuits to help sighted persons understand that we
>> can work just as hard and as passionately as they can despite our
>> blindness, which we don’t even care to focus on.  I’m glad you wrote 
>> back.
>>  I’ll definitely e-mail you off list to discuss this topic more because I
>> believe there is no reason why we can’t work together.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Denise
>>
>> From: Darian Smith
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 9:15 PM
>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] {Disarmed} How About Helping Human
>> Services?
>>
>> Hello Denice,
>>
>> I am not entirely familiar with the Human Service division and it's 
>> goals,
>> but  I am  not completely positive that  the goals of the two groups
>> completely mesh.
>>   The Community Service Group was created  with the  importance of
>> communicating in  action  that the blind are more than simply   to be
>> considered as objects of charity, that  the blind are capable  and 
>> willing
>> participants  in society  in helping to solve  our societies' biggest
>> challenges.  We want to do this in the same ways that our sighted peers
>> do.   This might be done in many ways including but not limited to 
>> working
>> in coup c kitchens, taking part in habitat builds, giving blood working 
>> in
>>  food pantries, donating to food pantries, but in any way that show that
>> we are real people  doing our part to address real problems.
>>   people might want to volunteer in their communities and should be
>> supported in doing so. Hopefully we can help find those who want to do
>> service in their communities  opportunities to do this.  Sometimes 
>> people
>> are kept from doing the  community service work  in communities  for no
>> other reason then their  blindness, we should  help them to work through
>> those barriers  that are put in front of them.
>>
>> Where do people go when they want to get the tools and gain the 
>> confidence
>> they need to   tackle some of our societies' biggest problems through
>> service?
>> I hope that this  is the place.  I hope that this is the place  because 
>> we
>> make it the  place.
>>
>> I will say  that working with the human services division was something
>> that I pursued  at the beginning of our  existence,  however I didn't 
>> hear
>> back from anyone and needed to move forward.
>>   I encourage yo to contact me off-list should you  have any questions
>> and maybe we can come to an understanding  as it relates to what a
>> possible partnership is or isn't.
>>   Regards,
>>   Darian
>>
>> On Jul 16, 2013, at 5:48 PM, "Denise Shaible" <denise.shaible at att.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hey Community Service Folks,
>>
>> I’ve just been elected to a Board position with the Human Services
>> Division.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Human Services
>> Division, we’re a group of folks in what has been called the “helping
>> professions”.  I’m just wondering if Community Service and Human Services
>> could get together and help each other.  I mean, we’re both service
>> oriented and love helping where we can help and we love showing people
>> that blind people can work in any profession we desire.  It sounds like a
>> match to me.  So, let me know what you think.  Maybe some of you are
>> already members of the Human Services Division and I don’t know it.  Our
>> President, Mary Schock would like to create committees within our
>> Division.  This is what got me to thinking about joining two great
>> groups.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Denise Shaible
>> From: Darian Smith
>> Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2013 2:18 PM
>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] {Disarmed} I'd Love To Get Involved
>>
>> welcome  Jimmy.
>> glad to have you!
>> On Jul 14, 2013, at 12:19 PM, "James P. Dickman" 
>> <James.Dickman at loras.edu>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Dear Community Service Group
>>
>> Hello my federation family. My name is Jimmy Dickman and I am from Park
>> Ridge Illinois and I have been involved with the NFB for about two years.
>> I would love to support or to get involved with the community service
>> group. I've chose to join this list because I believe that participating
>> in community service is not only an important part of the world, but at
>> the same time the right thing to do. If there is anything that I could do
>> to support this group please let me know and I would love to participate.
>>
>>
>> Thank you for the opportunity , and I hope that my message was sent
>> successfully.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Jimmy Dickman
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>


-- 
Darian Smith


Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund
via your phone bill.

The time is now to eliminate Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities

http://www.nfb.org/fairwages


“We know not of our future, but we know of our past. A past that is
made up of our ancestor’s Dreams, their stories and hopes.
These sights once seen, sounds heard and emotions felt are now our
knowledge. The knowledge that guides us to this very moment…”
-Darian Smith

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