Blinded Veterans Association

“The members assembled at the annual national convention have voting rights and are the supreme authority of the association.”

“The members assembled at the annual national convention elect the national officers of the national board of directors. The district directors are elected by the members within their respective geographical district.”

“The members assembled at the annual national convention vote to approve issues and amendments that arise regarding rules, bylaws, resolutions, and reports presented to said membership.”

“A draft of the form 990 is sent to the chief financial officer by the preparer. It is emailed to the financial expert of the audit committee and the executive director who along with the chief financial officer review the return together and discuss any issues of concern. They may individually or collectively speak with the preparer to discuss their concerns or review the form in detail. After any changes are made, a copy is sent to the full board prior to filing. Any comments they have are reviewed and discussed with the preparer. When completed, the form 990 is signed by the executive director and filed with the internal revenue service.”

“Bva's written conflict of interest policy questionnaire is distributed to all board members, employees, and appropriate outside parties by the executive director prior to the annual convention. The executive director ensures that all questionnaires are completed, reviews them, and discloses any conflicts at the pre-convention board meeting. Board members who have conflicts do not vote on any issues pertaining to that conflict.”

“The board of directors and executive director are responsible for establishing and maintaining a competitive compensation program for employees of the association. They meet annually and as needed to review, determine, and approve any compensation changes. During the annual convention the board of directors and executive director compare the salaries of current employees to salary surveys prepared by an independent third party or comparable data from peer organizations to assess how they compare against the competitive market. The board of directors is the only group of individuals responsible for determining the compensation of bva's executive director. This discussion occurs each year at the annual convention.”

“Required documents are made available on the association's website bva.org.”

“The bylaws and congressional charter of the association are available on bva's website, along with the form 990. Additional information is available upon request.”

“The blinded veterans association (bva) is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization (vso) exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of, advocating for, and promoting the welfare of, america's blinded veterans and their families. Bva is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization founded by world war ii combat-blinded veterans in 1945. The organization was incorporated in 1947, congressionally chartered in 1958, and dedicated to serving as peer mentors and advocates for veterans and families coping with vision loss. Bva advocacy teams engage public and private sector stakeholders to include the department of veterans affairs (va), department of defense (dod), department of labor (dol), department of health and human services (hhs), social security administration (ssa) and u.s. Congress. Bva community-based ambassadors identify blinded veterans requiring assistance and serve as advocates facilitating high-quality outcomes within the comprehensive blind rehabilitation service-delivery system of care. Bva promotes vocational and recreational programs that enhance rehabilitative outcomes and fosters encouragement and emotional support. Current estimates by the department of veterans affairs project a significant amount of legally blind american veterans, a majority of which remain unaware of their eligibility for rehabilitative services and benefits. Annually, additional thousands of veterans become blind or visually impaired as a result of military service, disease, accident, or age-related conditions. Bva programs are designed and aligned to assist these veterans and their families in meeting the challenges of substantial vision loss at no charge or membership prerequisite. Operational funding is primarily derived from the benevolent generosity of organizational supporters. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer member elected 8 person voting body comprising the national board of directors. Positions are held on a voluntary basis and all members give freely of their time and resources. The board includes bva members appointed to serve as the national judge advocate, national sergeant-at-arms, and national chaplain. Board member travel includes two semi-annual meetings, one coinciding with the annual national convention and the other at bva national headquarters. Board members conduct the vast majority of regular organizational business via email and monthly teleconferencing. The national board of directors appoints standing advisory committees comprised of an all-volunteer group of bva members, caregivers, and nonmember stakeholders. Committee terms are staggered affording programmatic continuity, while fostering a continual analysis and oversight of organizational operations. This fiscal year alone, committee member donations exceeded 1,290 hours of in-kind volunteer service. Bva oversees 36 organizational regional groups across the united states and puerto rico. Each regional group serves as the local bva affiliate providing geographically and culturally specific peer support, social events, and recreational activities for blinded veterans and their families. Regional groups also identify relevant policy changes, ultimately addressed, and implemented by the national team. Bva national headquarters is currently located in the old town neighborhood of alexandria, virginia, only a few miles across the potomac river from our nation's capital and the department of veterans affairs (va) central office in washington, dc.”

“This process has not changed from the prior year.”