Blinded Veterans Association

“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 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 copyis 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 executive director and administrative director ensure 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 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 in 1945 in avon, connecticut, by a small group of combat-blinded world war ii veterans. In 1947 the association became incorporated followed by congressional charter in 1958. The organization's primary purpose includes locating blinded veterans who need services, guiding them through the rehabilitation process, ensuring high quality blind rehabilitation, and serve as advocates for them and their families in the private, public and government sectors, including the u.s. Congress and the department of veterans affairs (va). Bva serves as the role model to demonstrate how to overcome the challenges of substantial vision loss. The association serves as a communication medium regarding issues affecting blinded veterans, supports vocational and recreational programs that foster rehabilitation, and fosters encouragement and emotional support. Va estimates that 130,000 american veterans are currently legally blind, with more than half remaining unaware of their eligibility for special services and benefits. Thousands of additional veterans become blind or visually impaired every year either during service or after due to age or disease. Bva programs help all of these veterans and their families meet the challenges of substantial vision loss at no charge or membership prerequisite. Funding for the association results from generous contributions from supporters. The organization is governed by 11 voting members of the national board of directors elected from the bva membership. They are assisted by two honorary board members including the audit committee chair. All 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 sergeant-at-arms and the national chaplain. Board member travel includes two semi-annual board meetings, one at the annual convention and the other at bva national headquarters. Board members conduct regular business through email and monthly teleconferences during the fiscal year. The bva board promotes the welfare of, advocation for and assistance of blinded veterans and their families. This fiscal year the board donated more than 9,400 total hours of work and more than $3,300 in reimbursable expenses that were not requested for payment. The national board of directors appoints committees to oversee and advise it. All of the committees consist of primarily of bva members and some are board members while all are volunteers. Some committees include non-member citizens volunteering to assist the organization. During the past fiscal year, committee members who are not on the board donated over 100 hours of volunteer time. Bva has 52 regional groups in the united states and puerto rico who offer peer 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 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.”

“Veteran service and volunteer veteran service programs the bva veteran service program consists of eleven veteran service officers and volunteer service officers, including five who are legally blind veterans themselves providing services throughout the united states and puerto rico. Four veteran service officers are located at the national field service resource center in alexandria, va. Bva also has cross-accredited 153 service officers through memorandums of understanding with state department of veterans services in the states of alabama, colorado, florida, louisiana, minnesota, oklahoma, oregon, pennsylvania, south dakota, tennessee, and wisconsin. Serving as role models, veteran service officers assist blinded veterans with the first steps in adjusting to blindness. They link blinded veterans with local services, assure the newly blinded take advantage of va blind rehabilitation services and assist them with the va benefit claims process. They help veterans bring focus and direction to their lives, provide inspiration and encouragement. Bva veteran service officers are trained experts in navigating the va benefit claims process for veterans suffering from visual impairments and use a host of resources to assist the veterans that need the most support in this process. During fy 2018, the bva veteran service program was responsible for 275 claims granted for compensation, pension, and specialized grants to veterans assisted by the program. The program was responsible for more than $7,051,451.30 in total retroactive payments. The veteran service program continues to conduct the comprehensive veterans care review with the va blind rehabilitation services, centers and outpatient rehabilitation clinics. Bva's blind rehabilitation quality assurance coordinator meets with va medical center staff and veterans to create a comprehensive picture of the current status of each brc or visor clinic. This allows bva to share best practices from one brc to another and increase collaboration with blind rehabilitation services to continue improving services to blind veterans at all brc facilities. The blind rehabilitation quality assurance coordinator was able to reach and assist veterans of whom bva had not previously been aware. This veteran service officer conducts educational sessions and one-on-one meetings for all veterans at the brcs visited. Bva's veteran service officers also support volunteer offices in va medical centers, regional offices, and outpatient clinics nationwide. Volunteer veteran service officers are blinded veterans serving as peer counselors and provide another way for blinded veterans to help and serve one another. They foster group idea sharing, provide information on programs and services, encourage blinded veterans to enter rehabilitation programs, and demonstrate equipment and aids used by the blind. They reinforce the work of the veteran service officers by lifting fellow veterans from the discouragement and frustration they often face. Bva volunteers are active in their communities and good sources of information about local programs and services. In fiscal year 2018 the bva had 31 representatives and 12 deputy representatives and 103 volunteers donating over 13,031 hours in 54 va medical facilities. Operation peer support program bva established the operation peer support (ops) program in fy 2006 to bring war blinded iraq and afghanistan era veterans to the annual conventions to generate peer support within this generation and previous generations of bva members. Ops then expanded to connect newly blinded post desert storm-gulf war i era veterans with other blinded veterans from all eras. Today, the ops program serves blinded veterans of all eras. During fy 2018, this program conducted 12 events planned and executed by the ops committee, thereby increasing a sense of purpose and healing for over 44 individual blinded veterans and many more family members, supporters, and volunteers. To increase local members”

“Public education and communication the bva bulletin sits at the heart of all bva national communications and public relations efforts. This is a bi-monthly periodical sent to all bva members, their families, libraries, health care institutions, veteran service organizations and va blind rehabilitation service providers for whom the association has updated contact information. The bulletin educates on past and present issues and events relating specifically to blinded veterans. It covers general topics about veterans as well as general topics about blindness (i.e., technology, social issues, etc.). Average circulation of the bulletin in fy 2018 was approximately 6,400 for large print, ;209 in compact disc for members; and approximately 1,600 via email or pdf. Bva uses one major tri-fold brochure to share its message to the organization's stakeholders. In fy 2018 bva produced the new multi-purpose color brochure in large print. The bva website received 48,000 unique visitors and 116,200 pageviews during 2018 compared to 39,000 visits and 110,000 views in 2017. Most visits originated through the google search engine and 90% of all users were new compared to 88% in 2017. The bva site is a constant work in progress to increase accessibility for everyone in order to help the organization fulfill its mission in the 21st century. A new and improved website is now in development for launch in early 2019 bva maintains social media accounts on major sites such as facebook, twitter, linkedin, and youtube. Over the past years, bva has attracted a large following and currently commands a social media audience of more than 10,000 followers, a 2 percent increase from fy 2017. Bva uses social media to educate and advocate to its followers about the association's activities, recent legislative news, and issues facing blinded veterans. Social media also fosters collaboration with partner organizations and educates bva followers about the helpful resources available. Bva's monthly e-newsletter campaign informs 3,475 supporters, donors, and members of recent bva doings and provides a digest of monthly news shared on social media. This is an increase from fy2017 in average readership of 20% monthly. Bva allocates a portion of its direct marketing expenses to public education, and management and general according to aicpa statement of position 98-2 (sop 98-2), accounting for costs of activities of not-for-profit organizations and state and local governmental entities that include fundraising, now codified in fasb accounting standards codification 958-720, not-for-profit entities-other expenses (asc 958-720). Bva undertakes a preliminary analysis of its activities to determine if the purpose, audience, and content criteria are met, and, if so, applies a systematic, rational joint cost allocation methodology. Bva makes its financial information available to the general public and watchdog agencies. Bva adheres to the requirements set forth by the combined federal campaign (#10513), the better business bureau wise giving alliance, and guidestar.org. Bva is proud to display its seal awarded by the better business bureau (bbb) as an accredited charity. The bva hosts an annual convention each august in conjunction with the department of veterans affairs blind rehabilitation services annual conference. This allows direct interaction between leaders and members of both organizations, exposure to the latest rehabilitation technology, policies, research and fosters collaboration on behalf of all blinded and visually impaired veterans. During each annual convention, bva presents awards to honor outstanding achievements. A blinded veteran with proven outstanding employment performance and adjustment to daily living receives the major general melvin j. Maas achievement award. A volunteer receives the david l. Schnair award for outstanding contribution to the bva volunteer program. A bva member who provides the most outstanding contribution to the growth and deve”

“Advocacy the 1958 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 headquarters staff present annual testimony before the house and senate committees on veterans affairs to share information and concerns on specialized programs and services offered by the 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 provided by va that assist blinded veterans in the acceptance of and adjustment to vision loss while helping them acquire the adaptive skills necessary to successfully reintegrate into their families and communities. Bva continually educates federal agency staffers and legislators and had a significant impact during the past year. Following resolutions adopted by the assembled members at bva's national convention in august, bva sent letters to the house and senate committees on veterans' affairs, the white house, to the secretary of veterans' affairs and key leaders throughout the department setting forth the priority concerns of blinded veterans discussions of these concerns continued throughout the year with the va deputy secretary, under secretaries and congressional committee staffers to keep these concerns highlighted.. Association leaders worked top veteran concerns with other veteran's service organizations, disability advocacy associations, and representatives from va and dod. Bva's national vice president presented annual testimony in march before a joint session of the house and senate veterans' affairs committees. Bva followed with written testimony on legislation related to use of va funds to provide service dogs to veterans who have ptsd. In september, bva's director of government relations testified at a house va subcommittee hearing on health to examine legislation aimed at improving the accessibility of va websites. Bva staff attended meetings with congressional offices 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. Bva national headquarters provided several legislative updates throughout the year to bva board members, staff, regional groups officers and other bva members and friends. Bva monitored dod's implementation of the vision center of excellence (vce) and defense veterans eye injury vision registry (dveivr). Vce staff attended the bva national convention and provided updates to the bva board and general assembly. Bva raised 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. Bva worked with the national alliance for eye and vision research (naevr), key congressional committee members and key budget staff to increase funding for the congressionally directed medical research program for vision. Bva continued advocacy for defense traumatic brain injury (tbi) vision research programs, saw an increase from the funding level of $15 million to $20 million in fy 2019 defense appropriations for vtrp. Bva monitors the waiting times, length of stay, and staffing for the 13 existing va blind rehabilitation centers and 9 visual impairment services outpatient rehabilitation (visor) centers to ensure veterans have adequate opportunities to obtain the rehabilitation training they need. Bva serves in the va prosthetics & sensory aids service (psas) to develop recommendations for improving the distribution and delivery of prosthetic appliances to blinded veterans”

“Membership bva serves as a membership-driven organization. Membership in bva constitutes membership in the national organization as well as in a local regional group. Any blinded veterans can benefit from the services bva provides regardless of membership status. Bva offers digital or print version of the quarterly bva bulletin to any blinded veteran. The bva bulletin is a valuable resource for blinded veterans to keep abreast of relevant information. Bva provides local advocacy and support through the 52 regional groups. These local groups foster bva members the opportunities to meet new people facing similar challenges, to establish friendships, and to gain a voice at the annual conventions. Life membership dues are deposited into a life membership fund, which is managed by a 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. Bva includes an affiliate membership category where veterans with sight, first responders, health care researchers, vist, bros, va rehabilitation staff, optometrists and ophthalmologists among others can join as members on the bva web site. Scholarship programs for 34 years the bva has awarded scholarships to dependent children, spouses or grandchildren of blinded veterans or actively serving blinded u.s. Military members with either service connected or non-service connected vision loss. In 2018, the kathern f. Gruber scholarship awarded six $2,000 scholarships. In 2018 the thomas h. Miller scholarship awarded one $1,000 scholarship using the same criteria as above for music and fine arts students.”

“ND”

“Explanation: describe changes in committee oversight of the financial statement audit - no changes from prior year.”