[Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroupseminar at national convention

Darian Smith dsmithnfb at gmail.com
Wed Feb 19 21:52:32 UTC 2014 

Ashley,
  How do you think we can turn this negative situation into a positive one for others? how do you think we can do this so as you can go back if you want?
 You’ve had this experience  and I think you would be the perfect person to   work with to start to change things
   
On Feb 17, 2014, at 10:30 PM, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Darian,
> I hope others can work with red cross as they are overall a good group.
> 
> Oh long story. I'll explain more soon. Basically, I went through the orientation process to be an office volunteer after their development coordinator called me. The process includes an orientation and background check. After all was set up in the office including bringing my own copy of jaws, they acted like they did not have time to train me on anything nor was I given any tasks to do. I was left bored for the few times I was in the office.
> I offered my time in hopes of it turning into a job, but it did not go anywhere.
> Ashley
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Darian Smith
> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 5:45 PM
> To: Community Service Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroupseminar at national convention
> 
> Hi Ashley,
> I’m sorry that you had such a negative experience with the red cross.
> The community service group  exists  partially  to work  through those types of experiences  with each other however we can.
> what did you experience and how might we all be of assistance in helping you not to give up on the opportunity should you want to take it on?
> Darian
> On Feb 17, 2014, at 12:46 PM, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
>> Cheryl,
>> It’s a good idea. I agree with you it needs registeration and limit  the size of the workshops so they can give you all hands on instruction more easily.
>> However, not everyone is  open to  the commitment to do first aid or cpr training.
>> Think of how busy convention gets.
>> 
>> Time may be unavailable on either the hotel side or the convention participants side to do it.
>> It may be easier to plan a shorter hands on service activity.
>> 
>> If you do contact them, I hope red cross is open to adaptations. Unfortunatly, I had a bad experience attempting to volunteer in their local office though and volunteering did not work out. I'll write about later perhaps.
>> 
>> If I were planning something to  do at convention, I'd probably pick the hygene or food kits idea instead.
>> I'm just thinking about the convention group and all the things going on there and the wide interest areas among conventioneers.
>> 
>> Ashley
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- From: Cheryl Fields
>> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 3:35 PM
>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community servicegroupseminar at national convention
>> 
>> Hi Everyone!
>> 
>> Great ideas! The cpr and first aid classes are a wonderful idea and
>> may require some registration.
>> Think about working with the Red cross to provide audio description
>> for all of the classes they use vvideos for. I'm not sure how
>> difficult it would be, most movies are audio described and most places
>> update materials on a regular basis so, it's worth asking. This would
>> benefit us across the country!
>> 
>> Cheryl F.
>> 
>> On 2/17/14, Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Serena,
>>> It sounds really cool!
>>> Tell me all about it! What's the name of the organization? How did you get
>>> involved? Why did you get involved?
>>> Darian
>>> 
>>> This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
>>> 
>>>> On Feb 16, 2014, at 8:18 AM, Serena Nickell <scnickell1980 at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hi, I recently began volunteering with an organization that helps the
>>>> homeless.  In addition to the above items we also give out small
>>>> flashlights and batteries (usually AA and AAA).
>>>> Serena
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On Feb 16, 2014, at 10:09 AM, "Michelle Clark" <mcikeyc at aol.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi Michelle,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Here is a list of the items we generally add. Also, at the bottom, I
>>>>> added a
>>>>> draft of a letter I sent out to just people on my email list and the
>>>>> Chapter. Hope it helps anyone who is interested in doing something like
>>>>> this.
>>>>> 
>>>>> One other thing we do when we get large bottles of lotion, shampoo, ect
>>>>> is
>>>>> we hold them out and make up a gift type bag to give out as a special
>>>>> gift.
>>>>> My Church has a Christmas Party for a few local Women's Shelters and we
>>>>> give
>>>>> to them as well. This year, they had so much stuff left over they gave
>>>>> the
>>>>> rest to our Chapter!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Items we include:
>>>>> 
>>>>> 1.    Wash cloths
>>>>> 2.    Soap
>>>>> 3.    Toothpaste
>>>>> 4.    Toothbrushes
>>>>> 5.    Lotion or petroleum jelly
>>>>> 6.    Shampoo
>>>>> 7.    Conditioner
>>>>> 8.    Mouthwash/non-alcoholic
>>>>> In the past we have gotten a mixture of things such as:
>>>>> Toilet paper
>>>>> Mens deodorant
>>>>> Women's deodorant
>>>>> Sanitary items
>>>>> Combs
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Draft Letter:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> 
>>>>> The National Harbor Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
>>>>> Maryland is a non-profit group of blind persons striving to help others
>>>>> in
>>>>> the   Prince Georges County area who happen to be blind and low vision.
>>>>> We
>>>>> help one another through advocacy, outreach, networking, and sharing.
>>>>> Also,
>>>>> in the vision of our National Headquarters, we not only help ourselves,
>>>>> we
>>>>> help others.
>>>>> 
>>>>> This, in our fourth year, we will continue in our outreach to others with
>>>>> a
>>>>> toiletries drive to donate Hygiene Kits to homeless persons. As we did
>>>>> last
>>>>> year through an array of generous donations, we were able to give out
>>>>> approximately 120 bags of toiletries to assist persons who   are in a
>>>>> state
>>>>> of homelessness. In addition, we were able to donate additional kits to
>>>>> a
>>>>> local church that regularly visits a shelter for women and children.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Since homelessness is on the rise and help is needed, our continual goal
>>>>> is
>>>>> to combine hygiene kits and distribute them to as many as we can. We are
>>>>> partnering with a local non-profit agency that runs shelters and feed
>>>>> homeless persons in Prince Georges County. They distribute these items
>>>>> when
>>>>> a person enters the shelters. We are asking your assistance with
>>>>> donations
>>>>> of toiletry items that will help us in this effort and please forward
>>>>> this
>>>>> message to anyone you feel will assist.
>>>>> 
>>>>> In specific we are asking for any combination of:
>>>>> 1.    Soap
>>>>> 2.    Shampoo
>>>>> 3.    Lotion
>>>>> 4.    Conditioner
>>>>> 5.    Toothbrushes
>>>>> 6.    Toothpaste
>>>>> 7.    Washcloths
>>>>> 8.    Mouthwash/non-alcoholic
>>>>> 9.    Socks
>>>>> 10.    Grooming items
>>>>> 11.    Sanitary items
>>>>> 12.    Any additional small item you feel a person living in the state
>>>>> of
>>>>> homelessness can use
>>>>> 
>>>>> If you and/or your organization are able to assist us in this effort,
>>>>> please
>>>>> let me know by contacting me directly by either email at mcikeyc at aol.com
>>>>> or
>>>>> via telephone at 301 583-8585 evenings or 202 720-1560 days by November
>>>>> 14th.   We will be compiling these items on the Saturday before
>>>>> Thanksgiving. Your contribution will be tax deductable and help in the
>>>>> lives
>>>>> of those who are in situations other than which we live.
>>>>> 
>>>>> To find out more about what we do, please visit our National website at:
>>>>> www.nfb.org or our State website at www.nfbmd.org. You may also "like" us
>>>>> as
>>>>> the National Harbor Chapter on our new Face Book page.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sincerely Yours,
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Michelle Clark
>>>>> President
>>>>> National Harbor Chapter
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>>>>> 
>>>>> "Changing what it means to be blind in Prince Georges County!"
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf of Catherine Michele Mitchell
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 9:35 AM
>>>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>>>> Cc: Community Service Discussion List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
>>>>> servicegroupseminar at national convention
>>>>> 
>>>>> I also really like the idea of putting some kind of kits together as a
>>>>> project at the convention.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I would also like to ask those of you who do this already in your
>>>>> chapters
>>>>> or affiliates to please email me lists of items you include in whatever
>>>>> kit
>>>>> you are making. I want to add materials like this to our resource bank
>>>>> to
>>>>> help other people do these kinds of projects.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks, everyone!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Michele Mitchell
>>>>> NFB Community Service Group
>>>>> Research and Resource Committee Chair
>>>>> 
>>>>> Tupperware Consultant
>>>>> 781-790-3627
>>>>> www.my.tupperware.com/michmitch
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Feb 15, 2014, at 5:01 PM, Cheryl Fields <cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> I love the idea of hygene kits for the homeless. Our chapter collected
>>>>>> toiletries for a women's shelter last year, but we did not assemble
>>>>>> the items. The shelter was glad to receive the gift but we could have
>>>>>> saved them some time.
>>>>>> I will suggest this when we do it again, sounds like fun!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Providing a hands on opportunity for convention attendees is fantastic!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Cheryl
>>>>>>> On 2/15/14, Denise Shaible <denise.shaible at att.net> wrote:
>>>>>>> I like the idea of emergency preparedness.  I know the Red Cross has
>>>>>>> some
>>>>>>> information on that and we all need to know about it.  I also like the
>>>>> idea
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> of the Red Cross providing small first aid kits.  I remember buying
>>>>>>> one
>>>>> when
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I took my first aid class when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  I don't
>>>>> know
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> if they would provide them but, I'm wondering if we could assemble
>>>>>>> them
>>>>> if
>>>>>>> we know what we need to put in them and then we could give them to our
>>>>>>> members or whoever we wish to give them to.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I really like the idea of having someone speak about programs to feed
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> hungry or doing a service project with a local food bank.  I don't
>>>>>>> know
>>>>> why
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> we couldn't help put bags of food together.  Yes, it's an assembly
>>>>>>> line
>>>>> job
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> but, we do it at my church and we're able to feed between 50 and 100
>>>>> persons
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> each month.  It's rewarding to know we're doing anything to help and
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> promote the fact that we want to give not just get.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Denise
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Michelle Clark
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 10:21 AM
>>>>>>> To: 'Community Service Discussion List'
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
>>>>>>> servicegroupseminar at national convention
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Here in Maryland, my Chapter did reach out to the local agency and
>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>> provided emergency kits several years ago. As time has elapsed and
>>>>> budgets
>>>>>>> have shrunk, I find that is not happening anymore. I am thinking
>>>>>>> someone
>>>>>>> locally would have to initiate that?  It would be important for us to
>>>>>>> get
>>>>>>> the information and to tie it in with serving an external group to get
>>>>> the
>>>>>>> information as well.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Michelle
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>>> On
>>>>>>> Behalf Of Cheryl Fields
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 11:53 AM
>>>>>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
>>>>>>> service
>>>>>>> groupseminar at national convention
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Having the Red Cross is a great idea. In addition to the first aid,
>>>>>>> ask if they provide disaster preparedness. It would be good to have
>>>>>>> this information available, most people are not prepared and if they
>>>>>>> need to evacuate may not know what the designated safe places are. it
>>>>>>> could be taken a step further and provide back packs with most items
>>>>>>> inside, if the budget allows for this.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Another idea is to plant a sensory garden at one of the convention
>>>>>>> host hotels in Florida, since we are spending a few years there.
>>>>>>> Plants  and other materials can be donated from local garden centers.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I happen to be working on a similar event in Cleveland and another
>>>>>>> idea from 1 of our brainstorming sessions was a mural. Making it
>>>>>>> visible to the community sending a clear positive message about the
>>>>>>> blind. The Cleveland chapter has a on going project, we volunteer at
>>>>>>> the Cleveland food Bank re packing produce for distribution and while
>>>>>>> working with the food bank a community produce distribution can be
>>>>>>> arranged. It is rewarding and can be lots of fun!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> CherylOn 2/14/14, Denise Shaible <denise.shaible at att.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Darian,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> We spoke sometime ago about having a Representative of the Red Cross
>>>>> give
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> presentation on first aid.  Are you still interested in that? Please
>>>>> let
>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>> know and I'll start researching it.  Also, if you know any details
>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>> our
>>>>>>>> seminar, please send that as well.  Thanks.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Denise
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> From: Darian Smith
>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 10:26 AM
>>>>>>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>>>>>>> Subject: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community service
>>>>>>>> groupseminar at national convention
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I'm looking for some  great ideas for our seminar at National
>>>>> convention.
>>>>>>>> any topics or presenters that could round out an already developing
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> exciting seminar. would be appreciated!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> regards,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Darian
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Darian Smith
>>>>>>>> Chairperson, Community Service Group -National Federation  of The
>>>>>>>> Blind.
>>>>>>>> (415)215-9809
>>>>>>>> dsmithnfb at gmail.com
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> "
>>>>>>>> "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the
>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>> ones
>>>>>>>> among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and
>>>>>>> found
>>>>>>>> how to serve"
>>>>>>>> - Albert Schweitzer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Your  unwanted vehicle can be  just what the blind need to make
>>>>>>>> possibilities reality.
>>>>>>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>>>>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or
>>>>>>>> call
>>>>>>>> 1-855-659-9314
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> ----
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