[Community-service] On the "Hill" and in the community.

[Cheryl Fields]

M, One of the most exciting experiences of my life was volunteering for the Obama campaign. I felt very special to be chosen as faith community volunteer coordinator for East Cleveland. There were 2 other blind people that I knew volunteering in another suburb. Well, little did I know, no one else volunteered for that job, lol!  Nearing the end of the campaign, others stepped up and it was fun. 
I worked with some of the most awesome, dedicated, and energetic young people. They came from all over the country and the world. The way things were set up at that time, did not allow me to participate in phone banking. I had no computer skills and no cell phone. So, the neighborhood coordinator, Jessica Bird, and I winged it. Nothing was in braille, not that I could read it, lol! Everything was accessible on the computer. We visited places of worship all over the city, attended rally's, planned neighborhood conversations and cozy home talks for special supporters. Knocked on doors registering voters, meeting old friends and making new ones. Arranged housing for tired travelers, cooked food and asked everyone I knew to cook meals, and speaking engagements. Traveled from Cleveland to Columbus, Ohio several times for trainings. Attended events, Bill Clinton and Cornell West, were the most exciting. However each time Obama came into Cleveland I declined to attend. These visits were always televised and I wanted to have the best seat, at home, so I could listen carefully. I have knocked around the idea of writing of the experience, there's nothing like it! Everyone should try it at least once. 
As a result of my volunteering, I was asked to volunteer on other campaigns and learned how to use the computer after learning how to type and finally I am in braille classes. Extending ourselves into unfamiliar territory can really open many possibilities! Blessings, C    

-----Original Message-----
From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne Denning via Community-service
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2015 2:41 PM
To: Darian Smith; Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] On the "Hill" and in the community.

This isn't community service, but has anyone volunteered on a campaign?  I believe we need to do things like that, as well as, other things so our senators and representatives understand our needs.  I have never volunteered on a campaign.

On 1/30/15, Darian Smith via Community-service <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi All:
>
>   I’m sure many of you are    returning from Washington Seminar having  had
> a  successful experience educating our lawmakers on the issues that 
> mean the most to us as blind americans, the issues  that when  
> addressed will get us one step closer to living the lives we want.
>  I was contemplating the idea of community service/ voluntarism and  
> if involvement both  as individuals and as members of the NFB can somehow help
> those public servants on the “Hill”   gain an understanding of our true
> capacity and what we need to get to our ultimate end goal?
>    thoughts?
>    Darian
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--
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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