[Community-service] Direct Service Volunteering * discussion starter*

Tue Dec 16 17:12:14 UTC 2014

I totally agree, we must have a clear idea of what we want to accomplish, understand the mission of the organization and be realistic about how to make the task accommodating to our unique circumstances. It is difficult for sighted folks to stretch their minds in a nontraditional way. Some volunteer programs are in the box type of thinking and when we present ourselves several thoughts enter the brain, first what is the liability, next why would this person want to do this and finally who told them they could do it? 
This is not always the case, but often times it really is. I administrate a produce distribution at my church. I delegate most of the paperwork  to those that don't like direct service but want to be helpful and I really don't like to do it. I love the hands on, repackaging, training and distribution to community. Some of the comments I receive are truly funny. Some are, how can you as a blind person package this food so well? I usually respond about how I learned how to count and bag things early in life and they laugh. This opens the door for meaningful conversation about how we are more alike than different. Some of the people we serve call me "Boss Lady" and occasionally there is a unruly person in the line, they tell them that "Boss Lady" will not serve you if you continue to be disruptive. Well, when they see who I am, it is really funny because the person is usually apologetic, saying " I'm sorry, I did not know that you were blind" this is my opening for education. I politely tell them not to be sorry but practice being respectful to all people and this is like magic, opening the door again to explain a to dispel myths... about blindness. Here lately, my blindness is not what holds me back, it is this devilish arthritis,lol!  
I love direct service projects, because I love people and appreciate the many volunteers that I have received services from. Giving back, paying it forward or however you look at it, it's a beautiful experience. Blessings, Cheryl 

-----Original Message-----
From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Greg Aikens via Community-service
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2014 9:29 PM
To: jonathan franks; Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Direct Service Volunteering * discussion starter*

Hi all,
I agree with Jonathan. This is the majority of the kind of service I have participated in over the years. I would much rather jump in and get my hands dirty than do paperwork/data entry, etc. I know that stuff is important, but I found it far easier for me to get involved by doing direct service. If working at the check in desk at a homeless shelter isn’t easily accessible, why not volunteer to clean dishes? That was always my job when I volunteered at the homeless shelter in college. The staff knew me and knew that was where I felt most comfortable chipping in. It was definitely a messy job, but I could do it just as fast and as well as anyone else. Or why not bring a deck of braille cards and play spades while you hang out with the residents after dinner? 

In my experience, non profits generally have a variety of jobs that need doing. It just takes some creativity and time to find how you can best help. I have found this is generally easier when you go with a friend but it is definitely doable by yourself. Confidence is the key. If you approach it with an attitude of, “I’m not really sure where I can help,” you are far less likely to find something you really like doing than if you come in and ask what needs to be done and then pick from a list. If you expect them to find something for you to do, chances are they will not. If you take matters into your own hands, just like any other type of advocacy, it is far easier to find something you can/want to do and gives others a greater confidence in your abilities. 

Good article Darian. Thanks for posting.

-Greg

On Dec 10, 2014, at 1:39 PM, jonathan franks via Community-service <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello Darian and all,
> I think this is a great article and great discussion starter. I fully 
> believe that blind individuals can participate in direct service 
> volunteering.
> 
> I have already partook in many direct service volunteering roles such 
> as working with the Salvation Army homeless shelter, the Boys and 
> Girls Club as well as the Arc of the Arts of the Capital area.
> 
> One method I have utilized throughout my volunteer experience is 
> advocating for yourself. Our sighted friends most likely have not had 
> any experience in working with a blind individual and do not know what 
> capabilities you bring to the table. What I do is speak up on what 
> activities I can partake in and what skills I offer to the position.
> 
> I fully believe in the NFB's philosophy in that we can all live the 
> life we want. I have been able to reach out to more areas than I ever 
> thought possible as a blind individual. I never imagined myself being 
> able to teach a class to young children or serving food to the 
> homeless. There is no end to what we can do. I hope this message 
> helps.
> 
> Jonathan Franks
> Board Member
> National Federation of the Blind of Texas
> 
> On 12/10/14, Darian Smith via Community-service 
> <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi All:
>> 
>> Probably the largest goal of the  Community Service Division is to involve
>> Blind people as a whole and   FEderationests  in general in community
>> service that  impacts the community/world around us.   probably the most
>> impactful, transformative  and all around educational is  “direct service”.
>> 
>> below is an article  I found  on the matter and I wanted your 
>> thoughts on it.
>> Is impact service as described in this article possible for blind people?
>> do you think it’s possible, but not for yourself?
>> what other thoughts might you have?
>> 
>> Darian
>> 
>> Direct service volunteering
>> When people picture volunteering in our communities, direct service 
>> is typically what comes to mind.
>> What's direct service? 
>> <http://www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/Direct#what>
>> 
>> Why choose direct service volunteering?
>> <http://www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/Direct#why>
>> Direct service roles take skill
>> <http://www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/Direct#skill> <>What's direct 
>> service?
>> 
>> Direct-service volunteers are the most visible — delivering food 
>> boxes, shelving books in a library, building playgrounds. Whether 
>> it's in an office or somewhere out in the woods, direct service 
>> volunteer roles are all about getting involved in hands-on, tangible ways.
>> For many people, direct service is an ideal way to volunteer.
>> <>Why choose direct service volunteering?
>> 
>> You can serve at the core of an organization's mission; for example, 
>> if you're thinking of volunteering for a homeless shelter, one of the 
>> direct service projects that might immediately come to mind is 
>> serving meals or making beds.
>> You can jump in to lend a hand and to get to know an organization, 
>> issue, cause, or population served — an entry point that can help you 
>> determine what you might want to do next, either as a volunteer or 
>> with your career <http://www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/Career>.
>> You can quickly see the results of your labors (an example: if you 
>> spend your day job doing more behind-the-scenes or capacity building 
>> types of work, it can be incredibly rewarding to finish painting a 
>> wall or to walk a dog at a shelter).
>> <>
>> Direct service roles take skill
>> 
>> While there will likely always be a need for folks to take on such 
>> general-skills tasks like cleaning up parks and taking tickets at 
>> events, direct service volunteer positions also include skilled activities like:
>> Teaching workshops at a community center Leading tours at a museum 
>> Collecting data as part of a wildlife census Serving as a translator 
>> for recent immigrants at a social services agency Remember that 
>> homeless shelter we mentioned before? In addition to assisting with 
>> providing meals and a place to sleep, direct service volunteer roles 
>> might include creating or joining a team of adult literacy tutors to 
>> partner with and provide support to local residents.
>> While direct service volunteer activities will vary in 
>> difficulty—including whether you'll need any training before getting 
>> started—and time commitment, many of the volunteer gigs that you can 
>> sign up for one-time only 
>> <http://www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/How> or to show up 
>> episodically <http://www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/Hot> will likely fall in this category.
>> So if you've been looking for a way to lend a hand and get some dirt 
>> under your fingernails (either literally or figuratively), consider 
>> direct service opportunities.
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> --
> "People look for miracles, people look for wonders, people expect 
> surprises of all kinds,". "Yet the greatest wonder, the greatest 
> miracle, the greatest surprise is to be found in one's heart." – 
> Muhammad Ali
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Community-service mailing list
> Community-service at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-service:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/gpaiken
> s%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
Community-service mailing list
Community-service at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-service:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/cherylelaine1957%40gmail.com