<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=""><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Dear Community Service Division Members,</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Below is a blurb that we will be sending out to Affiliate presidents in regards to Volunteer Week, which is held in April. We are trying to make a push that is a mini version of the 75 days of service we did a few years ago. The goal of this project is to increase chapter engagement within their own community and assist our fellow Federationists with the planning process. We are encouraging chapters to plan an activity, big or small, during the month of April, not just for that specific week. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">We are on a pretty short timeline, so we are asking you to help get the word out about this initiative and invite interested members to our first conference call that will </span><span style="font-kerning: none; background-color: #fffb01" class="">happen On Sunday, March 19th</span><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">. We will also be sharing ideas on our blog and on social media so please send us your thoughts on how chapters can get involved in service within their communities. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12px;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""></span><br class=""></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Community and service engagement is a central aspect of our philosophy as Federation members. If you have been interested in participating in community service, but perhaps have not known how to get started, there is no better time than the present. The Community Service Division invites you to participate in volunteer and community service related activities during the Month of April for National Volunteer week, which is <b class="">April 23-29th</b>. By no means do events have to take place during this specific date range, we would like to encourage service engagement during the month of April.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">In preparation for events, the Community Service Division will lend itself available to assist chapters in the planning process for chapters interesting in planning an activity in the near future. Whether your chapter engages in volunteer events on a regular basis, or you are completely unsure of how to get started, the Community Service Division team can help you find an activity that is compatible with all sizes and comfort levels. It is often assumed that blind people are recipients of services, and it is important that we stand amongst our sighted peers to show them we can also give back to the community. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Community Service is a multi-faceted way to challenge misconceptions, meet new people, gain new skills and build a better team within your chapter. Together we can bring about positive change in our communities. This project will show and strengthen our belief in the philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind. You can take part in this project individually or coordinate with your chapter by volunteering at a nonprofit organization, church or school. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">Participants will be able to learn and share ideas during bi weekly conference calls that will take place on March 19, April 2, April 16, and April 30. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class="">To join us, call (712)432-0140 and enter access code 808277.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" class=""><span style="font-kerning: none" class=""> The Community Service Division will also be sharing ideas via social media updates (“@NFB_CSD” on twitter and “National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division” on face book) throughout the month of March to help chapters plan activities. Please send us information regarding recent or future activities, so we may post them on the <a href="http://nfbcommunityservice.org/blog" class=""><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: rgb(4, 51, 255); -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 51, 255);" class="">Community Service Division Blog</span></a>. The blog is an outlet in which we showcase our volunteer efforts. We are excited to get started! Please join us on the first call to get more information. Feel free to contact the community Service Division’s April Project Committee at <a href="mailto:ap@nfbcommunityservice.org" class="">ap@nfbcommunityservice.org</a> with questions. </span></p></body></html>