Blinded Veterans Association

“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 organization 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.”

“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 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 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 organization 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.”

“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 130,000 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 11 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 sergeant-at-arms and the 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. This fiscal year alone, board member donations exceeded 10,447 hours of in-kind work and over $516 in reimbursable expense waived. The national board of directors appoints standing advisory committees comprised of an all-volunteer group of bva members, caregivers and non-member 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 80 hours of in-kind volunteer service. Bva oversees 52 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.”

“Veteran service and volunteer veteran service programs the bva veteran service program consists of 13 veteran service officers and volunteer service officers including five legally blind veterans providing services throughout the united states and puerto rico. Four veteran service officers are located at the national veteran service resource center in alexandria, va. Bva has developed a national network comprised of 181 cross-accredited service officers located throughout various state and county departments of veterans services offering free services to blinded veterans and their families. Veteran service officers assist blinded veterans and their families throughout the entire life-cycle of blindness. They provide critical services such as expert assistance and representation within the veterans benefits administration (vba) claims processes, assistance and oversight during the veterans health administration (vha) blind rehabilitation services processes, and provide resources and assistance in obtaining community-based services. They help blinded veterans bring focus and direction to their lives, providing inspiration and encouragement. This fiscal year alone, the bva veteran service program was responsible for 181 claim approvals totaling $4,559,144 in vba administered compensation, pension, and specialized grant benefits to clients. In addition, the bva veteran service program conducts annual comprehensive veterans care review assessments of the va's blind rehabilitation services. Bva's blind rehabilitation quality assurance coordinator meets with va medical center staff and veterans creating a comprehensive picture of the current status of each blind rehabilitation center (brc) or vision impairment services in outpatient services (visor) program. This unique partnership allows bva to share best practices across va stations and increases collaboration with va's blind rehabilitation services. The bva blind rehabilitation quality assurance coordinator is uniquely positioned as an organizational outreach ambassador offering educational sessions and one-on-one benefits analysis for newly blinded veterans and their families. Bva's veteran service officers also support volunteer offices in vha medical centers, community based outpatient clinics, and vba regional offices nationwide. Volunteer veteran service officers are blinded veterans serving as peer counselors providing opportunities for blinded veterans to help and serve one another. They provide information on programs and services, encourage blinded veterans to enter rehabilitation programs, provide camaraderie and serve as mentors demonstrating 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. This fiscal year alone, bva had 13 representatives and deputy representatives and 87 volunteers donating over 15,919 hours in 56 va facilities. Operation peer support program bva established the operation peer support (ops) program in 2006 as an effort to bridge the gap between iraq and afghanistan era blinded veterans and previous generations. The program continued to evolve and encompass increasing era specific groups of blinded veterans, until ultimately serving all blinded veterans regardless of era. During this fiscal year alone, the program conducted 12 events focused on empowering hundreds of blinded veterans, their family members, supporters, and volunteers. In an effort to increase membership involvement at the national level, the ops program began offering travel and accommodation scholarships for newly identified blinded veterans and their family members to attend bva's national convention. To date, this pilot program has successfully inspired dozens to return to the annual convention and participate at their own expense, now serving”

“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 organization 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.). Additionally, bva uses one major tri-fold brochure to share its message to the organization's stakeholders. Average circulation of these communications resources, in all requisite formats, for this fiscal year alone, exceeded tens of thousands produced and distributed. The bva website received 93,228 unique visitors and 222,424 page views during this fiscal year, as compared to 48,000 visits and 116,200 views during the preceding timeframe. Most visits originated through the google search engine and 93% of all users were new compared to 90% during the preceding timeframe. The bva website is constantly evolving in an ongoing effort to increase accessibility and assist in fulfilling the organizations mission. Bva maintains social media accounts on major sites such as facebook, twitter, linkedin, instagram, and youtube. Over the prior years, bva has attracted a large following and currently commands a social media audience of over 12,000 followers, a cumulative 1.3 percent increase over the preceding year with instagram growing the most with a 20 percent increase. Bva uses social media in an effort to educate and advocate to its followers about the organization's activities, legislative news, and issues facing blinded veterans and their families. Social media fosters collaboration with partner organizations and educates bva followers about the helpful resources available. Bva's monthly e-newsletter campaign informs thousands of supporters, donors, and members about recent bva activities while providing a digest of monthly news shared on social media. Bva allocates a portion of its direct marketing expenses to public education, and management and general funds 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. 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 development of his/her regional group r”

“Advocacy bva's congressional charter designates it as the organizational advocate for all blinded veterans before the executive and legislative branches of government. Bva's national president, board members, and national staff present annual testimony before the house and senate committees on veterans affairs in an effort 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 collaborates and partners with recognized industry leaders in advocating for continued and expanded research initiatives, educational and awareness campaigns, benefits, enhanced service delivery, and adequate accommodations relevant to its stakeholder community.”

“Membership bva serves as a membership-driven organization. Membership constitutes affiliation 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 provides local advocacy and support through the 52 regional groups. These local groups foster opportunities to meet new people facing similar challenges, to establish friendships, and to gain a voice at the annual convention. Bva 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 from the life membership dues, simply managing and administering 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, government officials, federal agency staff, health care providers, optometrists and ophthalmologists among others can join as members via the bva website. Scholarship programs for 34 years 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. This fiscal year alone, the kathern f. Gruber scholarship awarded six $2,000 scholarships, and the thomas h. Miller scholarship awarded one $1,000 scholarship.”

“ND”

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