<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;">Good morning,<div> you might recall that a few weeks ago a message was sent out to you talking about the fact that we had done some things as the community service group as a part of the 2014 convention of the National Federation of the Blind.</div><div> you might also recall that we had mentioned the fact that we had a great seminar, with great presenters, and that it was a seminar with very good energy.</div><div> We had attempted to weave in the corporation for National and Community Service’s “AmeriCorps 20” campaign by having a few of our members speak to the experience they had as members as they are now of course alumni of the program. This was important to us because at a time when a nation-wide campaign is launched, we thought the blind should have their story told.</div><div> The Larger theme of “for the good of the community, for the good of the country” was discussed.</div><div> From Mark Riccobono’s urging that we become givers and not takers, and that we accept the challenge of being in the forefront of some of the important work our next great stage in our movement comes up with,</div><div> to Conchita Hernandez encouraging training in the non-visual techniques we use in order to serve as we want and should,and Garrick Scott’s telling us that we might consider ourselves as community servants in that those who serve don’t consider saying “no” an option.</div><div> from Charlotte Czarnecki sharing the triumph of standing by our words, and serving with our sighted peers in our first-ever service project, Chris Parsons Challenging us to get involved, and showing us the tools to do it, no matter how used to serving we are, our scholarship winners empowering us to find our passions and use them as the way through which we serve, and agencies that came by and told us to serve and to join them back home to make it happen.</div><div> We had all this in more in the way of inspiration, love and opportunity. </div><div> It had also been mentioned in the follow-up post that we had elected officers, and that we will be hard at work to build for the coming year.</div><div> The Next stage of what we do is shaped by what you want. Not only by what you say, but by what you will do.</div><div> But here’s what I am asking of you:</div><div> I am asking that you come up with one project you would like to see happen. Not just that you would like just someone to do it, but something that you want to take ownership in doing.</div><div> You might have the tools to do it, you might not have the tools to do it; either is fine.</div><div> But what is absolutely important is that you have an idea and the desire to see that idea take shape. please be in touch via the below information should you have that idea.</div><div> Stay close as well, we will have an opportunity in the near future for all of us to come together and plan together, no matter if you have an idea or not.</div><div> Let’s get involved!</div><div><br></div><div> Darian </div><div> </div><div> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><br><br><div apple-content-edited="true">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;"><div>Darian Smith</div><div>President, <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">National Federation of The Blind</span></div><div><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> - Community</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Service Division</span></div><div><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="mailto:dsmithnfb@gmail.com">dsmithnfb@gmail.com</a></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></div><div style="font-size: medium;">(415)215-9809</div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;">The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the</span><br style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><span style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;">characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the</span><br style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><span style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;">expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles</span><br style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><span style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;">between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;</span><br style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><span style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;">blindness is not what holds you back.</span><br style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"></div><div><br></div></div><div style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px;"> "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”</span></font></div><div style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px;"> - Albert Schweitzer.</span></font></div><div style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></div><div style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><span style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> Your unwanted vehicle can be just what the blind need to make possibilities reality. </span></div><div><blockquote type="cite">Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!<br>For more information, please visit: <a href="http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org/">www.carshelpingtheblind.org</a> or call 1-855-659-9314<br></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
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