Blinded Veterans Association

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

“The members and associate 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 and associate members within their respective geographical district.”

“The members and associate 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 cfo prior to the annual convention. The cfo 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 executive committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining a competitive compensation program for all employees of the association including the executive director, other officers, and key employees. They meet annually, and as needed, to review, determine, and approve any changes to be made to the compensation program. During the annual meeting the executive committee compares the salaries of the executive director, other officers, and key employees against either salary surveys prepared by independent third parties, or comparability data from peer organizations to determine how they compare against the competitive market. This comparison has historically shown trends of comparability in some positions and below peers in others. The committee considers recommendations and input from the executive director during deliberations regarding other officers and key employees. Usually, the executive committee goes into executive session when discussing the executive director's compensation without the executive director present. During this time they evaluate the executive director's performance and determine compensation. These deliberations and decisions are documented. The president informs the executive director of any changes after the meeting is adjourned.”

“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 organization's primary exempt purpose the blinded veterans association (bva) is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization (vso) exclusively dedicated to serving the needs and promoting the welfare of america's blinded veterans and their families. Bva is a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization established in 1945 in avon, connecticut, by a small group of combat-blinded veterans from world war ii. The organization's primary purpose includes locating blinded veterans who need services, guiding them through the rehabilitation process, and acting as advocates for them and their families in the private and public sectors, including the u.s. Congress and the department of veterans affairs (va). The staff and membership of the organization are role models, demonstrating that the challenges of substantial vision loss can be overcome. The association also serves as a medium of communication regarding issues affecting blinded veterans, supports vocational and recreational programs that foster rehabilitation, and offers encouragement and emotional support. Va estimates that some 130,000 american veterans are currently legally blind, and that at least half of these men and women remain unaware of their eligibility for special services and benefits. Thousands of additional veterans become blind or visually impaired every year. Bva programs help veterans and their families meet the challenges of substantial vision loss. There is no charge for any bva service and membership in the organization is not a prerequisite. All legally blinded veterans are eligible for assistance, whether they became blind during combat or after active duty due to age or disease. Bva was incorporated in 1947 and chartered by congress in 1958 to represent all blinded veterans. The association does not receive any grants or financial support from the government; instead, it is supported by the generous contributions of thousands of americans who remember the sacrifices of our nation's blinded veterans. The organization is managed by 11 voting members of the national board of directors, along with two honorary members that include the audit committee chair. The positions are held on a voluntary basis. Members of the board give freely of their time and resources. They are all members of bva and all meet the criteria of what constitutes a blinded veteran as defined for all bva members. These requirements are also met by the national sergeant-at-arms and the national chaplain. Board member travel includes attendance at two annual board meetings, one held at the annual convention location and the other at bva national headquarters. Members of the board also conduct business using email and through telephone conversations during the fiscal year. They are involved not only at the national level but also regionally in their area of residence, holding offices and assisting blinded veterans and their families. This fiscal year the board donated more than 8,600 total hours of work toward assisting blinded veterans and more than $2,500 in donations and reimbursable expenses that were not requested for payment. The national board of directors appoints many committees to oversee and advise the group. All of the committee members are volunteers; some are on the board while others are regular members of the organization. Some committee members are simply concerned and interested sighted citizens who wish to lend a helping hand. During the past fiscal year, committee members who are not on the board donated more than 100 hours of volunteer time. Bva has 53 regional groups in the united states and puerto rico who offer emotional support, social events, and recreational activities to veterans with substantial vision loss and their families at the local level. Regional groups also influence policy changes that are instituted by the association. Bva national headquarters has relocated to the old town neighborhood of alexandria, virginia, only a few miles acro”

“A) field service and volunteer service programs the bva field service program consists primarily of five national field service officers and a team of volunteers who are legally blind veterans themselves, working throughout the united states and puerto rico. The national field service officers are located at the national field service resources center in alexandria, va. Acting as role models, national field service officers assist blinded veterans as they take the first steps in adjusting to blindness. They are responsible for linking veterans with local services, assuring that the newly blinded take advantage of va blind rehabilitation services and assisting them with the va benefit claims process. They aim to help veterans bring focus and direction to their lives by providing inspiration and encouragement. Understanding the complexities and emotions that accompany the onset of blindness, field service officers are effective role models in helping newly blinded veterans find and follow the road to independence. They know what is available on both a local and national level. They know whom to call, what to say, and how to cut through the red tape since much of their expertise has been gained firsthand as a result of their own personal experiences with blindness. During fy 2016, the bva field service program was responsible for 212 claims granted for compensation and pension to veterans assisted by the program. The program was responsible for more than $2,218,118.00 in total retroactive payments. The field service program transformed the blind rehabilitation center (brc) visits it conducted in previous years into the comprehensive veterans care review partnership. Having field service officers meet with va staff as well as veterans gives a comprehensive overall picture of the current status of the brcs. This knowledge allows bva to better spread best practices from one brc to another. This initiative led to dramatic improvements in services provided to blind veterans at several brc facilities during the current fiscal year. The field service officers were able to reach and assist veterans of whom bva had not previously been aware. Field service officers hold educational sessions for all veterans at the brcs they visit, followed by one-on-one meetings with veterans who need further help and advice. Bva provided funding for travel through the catastrophically disabled travel access program (cdtap) for at least 21 blinded veterans with limited means to attend various va brcs across the country. As an additional meaningful adjunct to the bva field service program, the volunteer offices are located in va medical centers, regional offices, and outpatient clinics nationwide. Volunteers are peer counselors and volunteer national service officers (vnsos). The program provides another outlet for blinded veterans to help and serve one another since a large number of bva volunteers are blinded veterans themselves. They listen and share ideas in groups, offer information on programs and services, encourage blinded veterans to enter rehabilitation programs, and demonstrate equipment and aids used by the blind. They also reinforce the work of the national field service officer by helping to lift fellow veterans from the discouragement and frustration they often face. Bva volunteers are expected to be active in their communities and to be good sources of information about local programs and services. They are an important link in the bva chain of services. A total of 217 bva volunteers donated 16,933 hours of time. Operation peer support (ops), was established in fy 2006. Ops constitutes an ongoing effort to connect newly blinded veterans from iraq and afghanistan with other operation iraqi freedom (oif) and operation enduring freedom (oef) service members. It also seeks to connect the newly blinded service members with blinded veterans from all war eras. This fiscal year, five newly blinded service members from afghanistan and iraq, accompani”

“B) public education and communication at the foundation of all bva communications and public relations efforts nationally is the bva bulletin, currently a bi-monthly periodical sent to all blinded veterans and their families for whom the association has updated contact information. The publication is also mailed to dozens of libraries, health care institutions, veterans service organizations, va blind rehabilitation service employees, and nonprofit organizations. As the face of bva, the bulletin focuses on issues and events relating specifically to blinded veterans. It also covers general topics about veterans as well as general topics about blindness (i.e., technology, social issues, etc.). Average circulation of the large-print version of the bulletin was approximately 10,950 in fy 2016. The compact disk version, which is made available to members only, had an average circulation of 92 for the six issues. The publication is also available for reading on the bva website and by email, upon request, in two different formats. The number of bva members receiving the bulletin via email is now approximately 1,500, a number nearly ten times greater than in fy 2015. The sudden rise in email recipients is due to a decision to send the bulletin by email to all blinded veterans for whom the association has an email address. Through the donated services of north american precision syndicate (naps), bva distributed a series of newspaper, radio, and tv releases highlighting its work. During fy 2016, bva produced two 3-column national newspaper releases (800 words each), two 60-second national radio releases, four 30-second radio releases, and two national tv releases. All of the releases provided a brief comment about bva services and gave bva contact information at the end (toll-free number and/or website url). What differed for each set of releases, however, were the lead paragraphs in the print articles and the introductory statement in the electronic media releases. Different also were a few additional paragraphs of ensuing anecdotal material that made up the storylines. Such storylines were: 1) american veterans in england (project gemini for television), 2) news of veterans (blinded veterans fighting for the benefits and services that they have earned as a result of their sacrifice and fulfillment of duty in the u.s. Armed services for two radio releases, one 30- and one 60-second, and a television release), 3) veterans news and notes (ranger training camp that equals tough training in the military for radio), 4) helping blinded veterans (leonard smith of houston, texas getting service-connected for diabetic retinopathy for radio), 5) a marathon effort (richard hunter, operation peer support committee, and the united states association of blind athletes arranging group participation at the california international marathon for radio), and 6) how one veteran and his family found support after an injury (sean johnson story for newspaper/print and radio). If bva had purchased the media time and space for the naps releases aired/printed in fy 2016, the total cost would have been $2,162,354. All bva naps releases-print, radio, and television-are now accessible online and can be downloaded. Bva owns the material outright. Therefore, any editor or producer can download and place the releases at will, as can any individual or organization from the general public. Bva members can petition their local station or newspaper to run a naps release by furnishing the station with the appropriate internet link, or by requesting that bva national headquarters send the release to the newspaper, radio station, or television station in question. If a radio station would prefer to read the script of the release rather than use the audio version, the script can be provided in pdf format, via email, by fax, or using the u.s. Postal mail. Bva utilizes one major brochure in spreading its message to the organization's stakeholders. In june 2015 bva produced 6,”

“C) advocacy the association's congressional charter designates bva as the organizational advocate for all blinded veterans before the executive and legislative branches of government. The bva national president, board members, and national headquarters staff members are invited to present testimony before both the house and senate committees on veterans affairs in order to share information and concerns related to specialized programs and services offered by va to visually impaired and blinded veterans. They also meet periodically with members of congress, their key staff, the department of defense (dod), the white house, and va officials to inform and educate them regarding the unique and specific needs of blinded and visually impaired veterans across our nation. Bva's educational efforts seek to enhance the specialized rehabilitation programs that are provided by va. The goal of these programs is to assist blinded veterans in the acceptance of and adjustment to vision loss and to help them acquire the adaptive skills necessary to be successfully reintegrated into their families and communities. Bva continues its efforts to educate federal agency staffers and legislators. These efforts had a significant impact during the fiscal year. Bva sent a letter to the secretary of veterans affairs and key leaders throughout his department, setting forth the priority concerns of blinded veterans with regard to the programs and services provided by the va. Copies of this letter were also sent to members of the house and senate committees on veterans affairs and the white house. Several meetings were held throughout the year with the va secretary, as well as key congressional committee staffers to discuss issues outlined in the letter in greater detail. Association representatives also met frequently with other veterans service organizations, disability advocacy associations, and representatives from va and dod. Bva's national president presented his annual testimony in march before a joint session of the house and senate veterans' affairs committees. Additional meetings with various congressional offices and staffers for several committees were attended by bva staff in an effort to actively monitor and support the wide range of legislative proposals under consideration by congress that could impact veterans and their families. Legislative updates were sent several times throughout the year by email to members of the bva board, staff, officers of regional groups and other interested members and friends of bva. Bva, in concert with other major vsos, provided background information to support an increase in the vha budget as part of the fy 2016-fy 2017 advanced appropriations in order to ensure that the va has the resources needed to meet the needs of veterans. Bva continued to monitor dod's implementation of the vision center of excellence (vce) and defense veterans eye injury vision registry (dveivr). Bva staff met with senior vce staff members in june and the director, penny walters, provided an update to the bva board in august. Bva continues to raise awareness about the needs of an increasing population of oif and oef veterans with traumatic brain injury visual system dysfunction to ensure that screening, diagnosis, treatment, and vision research are funded. Working with the national alliance for eye and vision research (naevr), bva attended meetings with key congressional committee members and key budget staff with the goal of increasing funding for the congressionally directed medical research program for vision. Bva continues to advocate for alternative defense traumatic brain injury (tbi) vision research programs, securing $10 million in 2016 for vision trauma research programs (vtrp) and requesting an increase to $15 million in fy 2017 defense appropriations for vtrp. Bva continues to monitor the waiting times, length of stays, and staffing for the 13 existing va blind rehabilitation centers to ensure that veterans have adequate o”

“D) membership bva is a membership-driven organization. Membership in bva constitutes membership in the national organization as well as in a local regional group. It is not necessary to be a member to benefit from the services bva provides. In fact, bva offers the choice of the digital or print version of the quarterly bva bulletin to any blinded veteran regardless of membership status. The bva bulletin is a valuable resource that blinded veterans find useful in order to keep abreast of relevant information. Bva local structure is conducted through the 53 regional groups where bva provides members the opportunities to meet new people facing similar challenges, to establish friendships, and to gain a voice at the annual conventions. Without membership, the aforementioned programs would not exist since they have been established by members and developed with their needs in mind. A blinded veteran can join as either an annual or a life member. During fy 2016 the new membership database imis continued to enhance membership management. All life membership dues are deposited into a life membership fund, which is managed by a life membership board of trustees appointed by the national president. The dues are invested and the annual earnings (interest and dividends) are apportioned to the regional group based on the number of life members in each group. Bva national headquarters does not benefit financially at all from the life membership dues but only manages, or administers, the fund with the assistance of the board of trustees and an external portfolio manager. It is a board-designated fund. E) scholarship program bva's kathern f. Gruber scholarship program completed its 32nd year. The scholarships are open to a dependent child, grandchild, or spouse of a blinded veteran or an active-duty blinded service member of the u.s. Armed forces. The blindness may be either service-connected or nonservice-connected. For the academic year 2015-16, there were six scholarships of $2,000 each. The thomas h. Miller scholarship has completed its 4th year, annually awarding one scholarship of $1,000. The guidelines are the same as those established for the kathern f. Gruber scholarship but with additional consideration toward music and fine arts students when possible and applicable.”

“Building maintanance: program service expenses 1,409. Management and general expenses 5,187. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 6,596. Bulletin: program service expenses 55,935. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 55,935. Printing: program service expenses 59,578. Management and general expenses 13,679. Fundraising expenses 42,096. Total expenses 115,353. Professional fees: program service expenses 33,571. Management and general expenses 5,239. Fundraising expenses 4,963. Total expenses 43,773. Public relations: program service expenses 25,196. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 25,196. Web design: program service expenses 910. Management and general expenses 13,603. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 14,513. Direct mail data processing: program service expenses 105,221. Management and general expenses 1,701. Fundraising expenses 67,508. Total expenses 174,430. Direct mail donor processing: program service expenses 28,617. Management and general expenses 463. Fundraising expenses 18,360. Total expenses 47,440. Direct mail list rental: program service expenses 31,492. Management and general expenses 509. Fundraising expenses 20,204. Total expenses 52,205. Direct mail package and shipping: program service expenses 278,968. Management and general expenses 4,510. Fundraising expenses 178,980. Total expenses 462,458. Direct mail production cost: program service expenses 18,591. Management and general expenses 301. Fundraising expenses 11,928. Total expenses 30,820. Education data processing: program service expenses 11,806. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 11,806. Education creative: program service expenses 5,875. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 5,875. Md data processing: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 6,499. Total expenses 6,499. Md creative: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 5,320. Total expenses 5,320. Pg data processing: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 2,544. Total expenses 2,544. Pg creative: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 2,300. Total expenses 2,300.”

“The review process has not changed from previous years.”