[Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community service group seminar at national convention
Ashley Bramlett
bookwormahb at earthlink.net
Sun Feb 23 21:24:16 UTC 2014
Darian,
I’m glad to hear you are getting things together. Yes, you all will need a room for a service project such as making kits.
As for the meeting, I suggest having speakers about tutoring kids or adults, being a mentor and anyone who served in Americorps would be a good topic.
Oh, maybe teens can speak about serving in girl or boy scouts; you may want to ask the parents of blind children group to ask their kids if they want to speak.
Two hours doesn’t strike me as long; you probably can only fit 3 or four speakers in especially if you have elections.
Ashley
From: Darian Smith
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 11:38 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroupseminar at national convention
Hello all,
I’ve heard of some very interesting ideas we might consider at national Convention.
unfortunately I think I’ve only gotten one or two ideas as to what we might want to have on our annual seminar agenda. For those who have never been (shame on you; come this year! *smile*) we typically have a two- hour long meeting with presenters who talk about the various perception-changing service projects they have done. Things that have influential in altering how they view both society and blindness. the idea is that others may feel inspired to serve, to use the belief and skills of blindness to move beyond blindness in service.
We also look for any agencies that typically need people to help in providing service. We don’t look for agencies that have the opportunities blind people would be “good” at, but rather things that people can involve themselves in. So if you have any ideas of agencies such as boys and girls clubs, habitat for humanity, or anything similar, that would be wonderful to hear.
on the matter of activities at convention; seems like these activities would require room space. I have either submitted or am working to submit room requests for events. one has been submitted for seminar and another for a potential fundraising event is in the works.
If there is an idea that people feel particularly strong about, and a person is willing to take personal responsibility for it’s coordination (we are a service-oreiented group after all) Please contact me directly and we’ll work through what we have to do to make sure it happens.
Thanks for the great ideas- keep them coming!
Darian
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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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/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
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