<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Exchange Server">
<!-- converted from rtf -->
<style><!-- .EmailQuote { margin-left: 1pt; padding-left: 4pt; border-left: #800000 2px solid; } --></style>
</head>
<body>
<font face="Calibri, sans-serif" size="2">
<div>I wanted to let you know about a very interesting opportunity that requires the expertise of the blind and visually impaired.</div>
<div> </div>
<div> On Saturday, February 15, 2014 the Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living (BVCIL) is hosting the second “Dining in the Dark” event at the College Station Hilton. It’s a fundraiser to raise money to purchase an accessible van to be used as a shared
ride services for the Bryan/College Station community. The event is being coordinated by BVCIL and volunteers from a variety of other community agencies including DARS and Texas A&M.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Essentially this is a meal served in entire darkness so that the dinner participants get chance to experience what it is like to eat with a visual impairment. To be able to pull the event off we are looking for a variety of volunteers. In particular
we need to find at least 12 people who are visually impaired who are willing to be servers for the night. Last year we had a number of current and former Texas A&M students participate and it was great to see the former students come back to town.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The event planners will conduct a training prior to the event to oriented the servers and other volunteers to the room. Additional details about the server role are listed below. The room is marked with a tactile floor grid and the tables and chairs
will have tactile markings. If you have specific questions or want to sign up, please contact Melissa Padron, 979-776-5505 or e-mail <a href="mailto:dininginthedarkbcs@bvcil.org?subject=DID%20Inquiry"><font color="#0000FF">dininginthedarkbcs@bvcil.org</font></a>.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Facebook Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dininginthedarkbcs"><font color="#0000FF"><u>https://www.facebook.com/dininginthedarkbcs</u></font></a></div>
<div>Website: <a href="http://www.dininginthedarkbcs.com/"><font color="#0000FF"><u>www.dininginthedarkbcs.com</u></font></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><b>Servers (12</b><b> needed</b><b>)</b></div>
<div>Preferred Qualifications:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; ">
<li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; ">Person with a visual impairment;</li><li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; ">Ability to navigate independently in the dark using a cane (training will be provided); and</li><li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; ">Willingness to answer questions related to living with a visual impairment.</li></ul>
<div>Time Commitment:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; ">
<li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; "><b>Prior to the event: </b>Attend cane orientation training if needed (estimated 1-3 hours) – this training will be held at BVCIL and offered at least twice prior to the event. This training is optional.</li><li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; "><b>Prior to the event: </b>Attend server training (estimated 2 hours) – this training will be held at BVCIL and offered at least twice prior to the event. This training is required;</li><li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; "><b>Day of the event: </b>Dining in the Dark event – The day of the event will be a full day. We will have the dining room open and the grid on the floor for orientation to the room, tables, etc. An early dinner will be provided.
</li></ul>
<div>Duties:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 38pt; ">
<li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; ">Seat guests at pre-assigned tables (10 guests at a time all going to one of your tables);</li><li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; ">Introduce yourself to your guests, orient them to the table, and provide table service to approximately 30 guests (3 tables);</li><li style="margin-bottom: 8pt; ">Acquaint yourself with your guests, offer tips/suggestions, etc. and let them get to know you and ask you questions</li></ul>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2"><b>--</b></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial, sans-serif" size="2"><b>Tracey Forman</b></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial, sans-serif" size="2">Department of Disability Services</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial, sans-serif" size="2">Texas A&M University<br>
(979) 845-1637</font></div>
<div><a href="mailto:traceyf@disability.tamu.edu"><font face="Arial, sans-serif" size="2" color="#0000FF"><u>traceyf@disability.tamu.edu</u></font></a></div>
<div> </div>
</font>
</body>
</html>