[Community-service] Discussion Starter.

Tue Dec 9 13:57:49 UTC 2014

Ashley, I think if I am not doing volunteer work, I would set my goals a little lower than 500 hours the first year. Often, as Graham says, there are trainings that you must go through. Those hours do count. Also, it is important to realize that you may have to convince them that there are ways to do the things you are wanting to do. The PR or Fundraising Committees of Habitat might be nice. But here is an example of a little problem I have. I volunteer as a chaplain for a hospital. In order to do this, I have to make a braille list of the rooms, the beds, and the patients. At this point the only person who reads them to me is the head chaplain, who is also in charge of a lot of other stuff. If he is gone or too busy, I can’t come in because there is no one to read me the list. I won’t be allowed to bring a reader because it is confidential. I even have to turn in the braille list at the nurses’ station before I leave there. So I need to find a Plan B. I am going to see if someone at the nurses’ station could read, but they may be too busy. So there are some obstacles that must sometimes be breeched. 

Cindy

From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Reyazuddin, Yasmin via Community-service
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2014 7:19 AM
To: Ashley Bramlett; Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Discussion Starter.

Dear Ashley, 

It is important to know what you like best. There is paperwork everywhere you go and some places have training before you can become a volunteers. The two places where I volunteered had extensive trainings. It also depends on where you live and how far you are willing to travel. 

Yasmin 

From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett via Community-service
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 6:13 PM
To: Graham Mehl; Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Discussion Starter.

Graham,

wow, all that service is inspirational.

I’m trying to get more involved in organizations and seems like every time I want to volunteer in an office, I get turned down. there is supposedly too much paperwork involved.

Habitat for humanity is something I’ve considered and is one  of my next organizations to try. 

What all did you do for them? Wow, that  600 hours is impressive. Maybe I should make a goal to do a lot over the next year. maybe I’ll say 500 hours.

Knowing you did it gives me hope. I checked the local website and I see habitat not only has construction crews, but also has committees like the pr committee and fundraising committee where  I think I’d like to serve in addition to volunteering in the office.

And, what does jdrf stand for?

Where do you work? you mention your company; nice your company does charitable things.

Thanks

Ashley

From: Graham Mehl via Community-service <mailto:community-service at nfbnet.org>  

Sent: Friday, December 05, 2014 7:04 AM

To: community-service at nfbnet.org <mailto:community-service at nfbnet.org>  

Subject: [Community-service] Discussion Starter.

Darian and group,

It was a no brainer for me to join the group. Performing acts of service is a part of my being and a matter that I am passionate about. I started serving my local community when I was in the Cub Scouts at age 10.  And of course transitioned to Boy Scouts. It did not stop when I got my Eagle Scout award. I went to college and became a member of a service organization. I participated in numerous activities, but the only ones I can remember are being a an adult troop leader for a boy scout troop that was composed of members who were disabled, habitat for humanity, and making candles for and ushering at a Christmas Vespers service.I did not let leaving academia slow me down for performing community service. When I learned my company had a rather large community service group that was spread out across the country, I joined immediately. I helped with running of blood drives as well as participating in them. I performed over 600 hours of service with Habitat for Humanity within 3 years. I participated and helped lead a team in many run/ walk charity events. I participated in JDRF events. I was involved with Light the night events. Lead a team for a St. Judes Radio-a-thon, participated in and organized charity summer cookouts. I helped organize numerous donation collections including canned food and school supplies. I was a member of the volunteer organization for my company that had a membership of over 800 members for five years. For the last 10 years I have coordinated the adopt-a-family program within my company, where we have adopted up to 22 families over 6 different counties. And I have done a bit of volunteering at and with my church. So as you can see community service is not a foreign thing to me. So since I am a NFB member, why not join the NFB community service Interest and Division group. And who knows maybe I would / could / will get fresh ideas and new resources. And while at it get to know some other people who are blind and enjoy community service too.

--

Graham

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;  I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.  These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." -- Isaiah 42:16

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Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2014 20:09:00 -0800

From: Darian Smith < <mailto:dsmithnfb at gmail.com> dsmithnfb at gmail.com>

To: Community Service Discussion List < <mailto:community-service at nfbnet.org> community-service at nfbnet.org>

Subject: [Community-service] Discussion Starter.

Hi all,

I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving!

  As many of you know the Community Service Group/Division has been around the  Federation  since about 2011. First as an interest group of the Federation and most recently being a newly  constituted    Division. 

  We all have come to be involved in the division or list serve for one reason or another.

Why did you become involved?

    Thanks,

   Darian 

  _____  

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