<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">National Federation of the Blind</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""> Community Service Division</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Service Snippets</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""> January 2017</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""> Darian Smith, President</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""><a href="mailto:president@nfbcommunityservice.org" class="">president@nfbcommunityservice.org</a></b> </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 16px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 16px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Happy new year, Federation family!</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">We in the NFB Community Service Division are hopeful that you had a very enjoyable end to 2016 and are as excited as we are for what is to come in 2017.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">This year is destined to be filled with new opportunities to take our message in the National Federation of the Blind of love, hope and determination to new places by leveraging the power of Community Service to make ourselves, our community and our movement better.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""> It is this reason why our division leadership puts so much time, effort and energy into building programs,bringing ideas, and being as much a source of encouragement to each person in this division and larger movement as possible.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""> Of course, this division’s success is not possible without each of you, reading this, who contributes thoughts on our list serve,experiences on our blog, energy on our service projects and support at our business meeting and trivia night.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""> So, Thank you to all of you, and thank you to the afore mentioned leaders(Dacia Cole, Chris Parsons, Jonathan Franks, Tara Abella,Ronnie Bellomy, Kyra Sweeney and Johna Wright), your work, while not always obvious,,is obviously important and appreciated.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 16px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""> here are the customary updates from the board’s committees as brought to you by their chairs.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">note: announcements are presented as submitted.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Service Engagement Committee</b></span><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class="">:</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Hi everyone I hope the beginning of the year has been a good start to you. The service engagement committee of the Community Service Division will be hosting a conference call sometime in the near future focusing on how to get involved. We want to know what questions do you have about getting involved in community service? Plq send any questions you have about getting involved to myself and we will figure out how to answer them on the call. More information about the specific time and date of the call will be coming soon. You can reach me by email at </b><a href="mailto:dacia.luck@gmail.com" class=""><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(71, 135, 255);" class=""><b class="">dacia.luck@gmail.com</b></span></a><b class=""> or by phone at 573-289-2912</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Dacia Cole </b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 19px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""></b></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Website / Blog Committee:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">This month, I posted an entry with even more reflections from participants in the division’s service project with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando at this year’s National Convention. In the coming weeks and months, be on the lookout for our annual year-end recap, one more entry about the Habitat build, and some other exciting entries from fellow division members doing community service. If you haven’t checked out the blog yet, we invite you to do so at </b><a href="http://www.nfbcommunityservice.org/blog" class=""><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: rgb(4, 99, 193); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 99, 193);" class=""><b class="">http://www.nfbcommunityservice.org/blog</b></span></a><b class="">. If you have any ideas for entries you’d like to see on the blog or if you’d like to write one yourself, send me an e-mail at </b><a href="mailto:blog@nfbcommunityservice.org" class=""><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: rgb(4, 99, 193); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 99, 193);" class=""><b class="">blog@nfbcommunityservice.org</b></span></a><b class="">.</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""> </b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">On the Web site front, we’ve been doing some ongoing background work and making some small updates. Definitely check out the Web site at </b><a href="http://www.nfbcommunityservice.org/" class=""><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: rgb(4, 99, 193); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 99, 193);" class=""><b class="">http://www.nfbcommunityservice.org</b></span></a><b class="">, and let us know of any new features or information you’d like to see.</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 19px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""> </b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Chris Parsons</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 19px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class=""></b></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Fundraising Committee</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class=""><b class="">:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">The Fundraising committee is working hard by contacting businesses to</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">collect donation items to use for a raffle or auction during our</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">business meeting, if we choose to have a table in the exhibit hall and</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">our trivia night at our National Convention in July. We are working on</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">finalizing a donation letter to submit to each of the businesses.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Jonathan Franks</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Letters For Troops</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class=""><b class="">:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">We sent out 21 letters from everyone from middle schoolers to grandparents. Letters were sent to new recruits, veterans, first responders, deployed troops, and wounded warriors. The letters gave encouragement and thanks to soldiers for the holiday season, as well as funny personal stories and summaries of the participants lives. Several participants over the age of 18 included their contact information, so soldiers could feel free to write back. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Tara Abella</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Outreach Committee</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class=""><b class="">:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 28px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">The outreach committee has finished compiling the list of disability offices and community service centers on the 50 flag universities. We decided to focus on the campus disability offices. The committee has created a e-mail template to send to the disability offices and an e-mail template for the youth community service organizations. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 28px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">We are ready to contact the disability offices, engage students, and host the community service scholarship call this month.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 28px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Ronnie Bellomy </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 28px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 34px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 28px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 34px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">Membership Committee</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class=""><b class="">:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">The Membership Committee has been working with the Outreach committee to plan an exciting call about how community service experience can be an important part of an NFB Scholarship application, which will take place on Sunday, January 22. We are inviting students from all around the country, many of whom may not have ever been involved with the Federation, so we need as many participants on this call as possible to make them feel welcome. We will send out announcements and reminders in the next few weeks. The membership committee's next meeting will be on January 9 at 8 PM eastern.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""> Kyra Sweeney </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">State Service Snippets:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">From the WashingtonD.C. Community Service Division</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class=""><b class="">:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">We have conducted several drives and projects this year. We did a coat drive in January and our annual Black History documentary screening in February. In March we asked members to Volunteer for volunteer week in April . That week we volunteered in two organizations , brailled menus for one of our local restaurants and we also made 60 bagged lunches for one of our local homeless shelters . In May in commemoration of Mother's day. We donated women's toiletries to one of our local Women's Homeless Shelters . September we did our annual doughnuts for officers day and for December we did a New warm sock drive for men women and children. You may say sock drive but that is one of the most needed items that shelters don’t receive. What I really am proud of though is our new project. This will be an annual event. Pre-Thanksgiving out with the Community Service Division. I know is very important to give but I felt we should give inwardly starting with our members. Some members don’t have family or a lot of friends to spend Thanksgiving with. So I implemented this idea and we had over 30 people and their friends and family to come out. It was very good and we also had the chance to show the public that we do live the lives we want.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><b class="">From the Texas Community Service committee</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; -webkit-font-kerning: none;" class=""><b class="">:</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">The NFB of Texas Community Service Committee was very excited to</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">finish the year strong. At our State Convention in November, was</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">accomplished our very first service project with the Food Bank of the</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Rio Grande Valley. Eight of our members partnered with the food bank</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">and we worked together in helping separate food and miscellaneous</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">items for the organization. The Committee is also beginning to work</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">with our State mentoring program in developing curriculum for the</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Mentor/ Mentee pairings to introduce the vast benefits of community</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">service. The mentees will learn how to locate and apply for volunteer</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">opportunities, how to utilize blindness techniques in their volunteer</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">setting, how to develop resumes by adding the volunteer opportunity</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">to the document and how to add these experiences to college</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">applications. Our latest endeavor is for our committee members to</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">contact the various chapters throughout the state of Texas and</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">introduce the committee and the values of volunteering to the chapter</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">presidents. We plan on working with these chapters by demonstrating</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">how community service will build their chapters, increase</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">participation from their membership, build the confidence of the</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">volunteers and promote the altruistic values of community service. We</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">have tasked our committee members to contact a chapter that they are</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">not affiliated with in order to introduce the members to new</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">experiences and build strong relationships. We plan on working with</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">the Chapter Presidents by speaking on the agenda of one of their</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">chapter meetings by either traveling to the chapter meeting or</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">speaking on a skype or Facetime call. Lastly, we have created both a</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Facebook page and group page. The Facebook page will have</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">announcements, pictures from our service projects, numerous resources</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">regarding community service and announcements of conference calls for</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">meetings. The Facebook group page is an open forum for our members to</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">discuss experiences, ask questions and provide advice about anything</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">volunteer related. Anyone can search for these pages by logging into</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Facebook and searching for the NFB of Texas Community Service</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Committee.</span></div><div class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""><br class=""></span></div><br class=""><br class=""><div class="">
<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;" class=""><div class=""><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Darian Smith</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">President, National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Web: <a href="http://www.nfbcommunityservice.org" class="">www.nfbcommunityservice.org</a></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Twitter: @NFB_CSD,@goldengateace</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision" class="">www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision</a>"</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; color: rgb(71, 135, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="text-decoration: underline;" class="">E-mail: <a href="mailto:president@nfbcommunityservice.org" class="">president@nfbcommunityservice.org</a></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""> </p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">(415)215-9809</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""><span style="font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); min-height: 14px;" class=""><br class=""></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">blindness is not what holds you back.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""> “We need your service, right now, at this moment - our moment - in history. I'm not going to tell you what your role should be; that's for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part; ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history” — Barack Obama </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class=""> Help drive change for the blind .</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; color: rgb(87, 86, 214); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(87, 86, 214);" class="">For more information, please visit: <a href="http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org/" class=""><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(71, 135, 255);" class="">www.carshelpingtheblind.org</span></a> or call 1-855-659-9314</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Times; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="">“</div></div></div>
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