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

Ashley Bramlett bookwormahb at earthlink.net
Thu Feb 20 20:09:34 UTC 2014


Denyce,
That is great. Do you mind telling me a bit about your americorp experience on or off list.
What program did you do? Do you have to be in college or recently graduated to do it?
Did you learn a lot from it? were you paid? this is something I’ve considered as I have not found a job; I love to help people and maybe americorps would not only give me hands on experience but also set me apart from
the rest of the applicant pool when I look for work; btw, I did have internships but the internships did not give me enough substantive experience I need.

Ashley

From: Denyece Roberts, MSW, RCSW 
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 9:57 PM
To: Community Service Discussion List 
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroup seminar at national convention

Hello, I did two years in the Americorp.  Americorp main office for Florida is located in Orlando.  It would be nice to have someone from their office come and speak about some success services of blind people who have attended the program in florida.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Darian Smith 
  To: Community Service Discussion List 
  Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 5:24 PM
  Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community servicegroup seminar at national convention

  Hi all, 
  The overall  focus will be on celebrating 20 years of AmeriCorps, and the service work that the blind have themselves contributed to the success of the program and the impact the program has had on those  who have served.
    We are inviting those  who have served in AmeriCorps programs to share  a bit about their experiences, what they’ve given, gained and the perceptions they believe  they changed of the blind. 
  This will not  constitute the entirety of the seminar, but it will have a place of prominence on the agenda. 
  we are looking into inviting service agencies to spend a few minutes  talking about their programs  and how attendees may involve themselves in service via what they have to offer.
  I believe we are targeting the following agencies: the red cross, big brothers  big sisters, habitat for humanity and hands on network. we’ll probably ask them to introduce themselves to the attendees and ask them  to table in the back of the room should individuals have further questions regarding involvement in their local communities  Hopefully we will use this opportunity to develop relationships with these agencies  that we can cultivate over the coming years. 

  Hopefully we can  delve deeper into possible partnerships with these  agencies in the future.  We could  even look into  the possibilities  this year, but  that depends on the interest a committed soul or two  has in seeing that it happens.  Unfortunately,  this can be a bit of an undertaking  and such folks are proving to be in short  supply at the moment. 
  We have had some great help in finding the agencies and AmeriCorps alumni federationests, and this has proven to be invaluable effort and results-based action that those who have  stepped up should be  proud of. 
  I’m thinking we are still a few  presenters away from this being the best seminar yet.
  We also might be electing a slate of officers and board members. If this is true we will have to make some time for this and upon completion of the meeting we will have become a division of the national federation of the blind. 
  we will see how those details work out  because we are still a ways  from convention.
    I hope this helps people help us find some great additions to the agenda 
    Best,
    Darian        
  On Feb 17, 2014, at 1:14 PM, Cheryl Fields <cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com> wrote:


    Ashly,

    Yes, I think the hands on training may work better for next year. When
    the red Cross is contacted the conversation, audio description for
    videos, could begin at that time. It may take some time to have them
    see the advantage in added it to their materials. I should have added
    that this is a long range goal.
    I want to hear about your experience, it may be valuable to hear
    before the contact is made. smiles

    Cheryl

    On 2/17/14, 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

            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                ----

                  _______________________________________________
                  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/denise.shaibl

                e%40att.net

                _______________________________________________
                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/mcikeyc%40aol

                .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/denise.shaibl
            e%40att.net




                _______________________________________________
                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/cherylelaine1
            957%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/michmitch66%4
            0gmail.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/mcikeyc%40aol
            .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/scnickell1980%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/dsmithnfb%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



      _______________________________________________
      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/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net


      _______________________________________________
      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


    _______________________________________________
    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/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com

  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









------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  _______________________________________________
  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/peace05%40comcast.net


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
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/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/community-service_nfbnet.org/attachments/20140220/9974a8d4/attachment.html>


More information about the Community-Service mailing list