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Month: December 2021
Big Data Project Phase One Will Shed New Light on Aging and Vision Loss in America
The Big Data Project VisionServe Alliance (VSA) and the Ohio State University College of Optometry have partnered, embarking on a project to analyze standardized statewide data and national reports of people who are blind or have low vision. “The Big…
Employers of Individuals with Low Vision
Employer outreach
At the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired our mission is to equip all Alaskans for success in all avenues of life. The following information should be a great tool for employers as it explains the truths about individuals with vision loss.
Do’s and Don’ts for Meeting Minutes
With many things in life and business, less is more. In the nonprofit world, this is especially true for meeting minutes.
Minutes are an official record of actions the board or committee took at a meeting, not a record of everything that was said. They serve a historical purpose, but just as important, they serve a legal purpose, documenting the group’s adherence to the proper procedures and the nonprofit’s bylaws. And minutes and recordings made during a meeting are discoverable in litigation, so it is imperative to be prudent about what you include.
The Board’s Role In Reviewing 990’s
All tax-exempt organizations must report annually to the IRS on their financial and other activities — including
their governance activities. They do this by filing a Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.
Patient-Centered Outcomes in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
A Report Based on National Summit Convened in Boston, MA,October 2017 by the Angiogenesis Foundation
Evidence Based Practices Pilot Project
Goals of the Project Develop a vehicle for VSA members to gather basic outcome data Determine whether vision rehabilitation instruction made a difference Produce national data that can be used in promoting the value of vision rehabilitation services
Vision Loss Resources Governance Policies
GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES AND BOARD CULTURE
- The Board of Directors, in cooperation with staff, works to ensure the mission of the organization is relevant, current and consistent with the needs of the organization’s constituency.
- The board speaks with one voice. Diverse perspectives are critical to the board’s ability to govern effectively; however, the power of the board resides in the board as a whole. After a decision is made, each board member is expected to support the majority decision of the board, regardless of how the individual board member voted or his or her personal view of the board’s decision.
The Power of Board Advocacy
Whether it’s ending homelessness or increasing access to opera, providing at-risk youth with the opportunity to receive a strong education, or protecting global human rights. Each of us is driven by a purpose. We do what we do because we…
Six Signs It’s Time To Access Your Boards Performance
Performance assessments often raise anxiety and even fear. Many people associate them with judgment, bias,
and the need to defend one’s actions. However, without appropriate monitoring and feedback, it is difficult to
evaluate whether your board is meeting goals and embracing recommended practices. This is where a board self-
assessment becomes an important tool. In fact, BoardSource recommends that your board should be engaging in a comprehensive governance self-assessment every two to three years.
Here are six signs indicating that it may be time for your board to assess its performance (and there are more!)
Board Manual
SAMPLE BOARD MANUAL CONTENT
Organization
- Brief written history and/or fact sheet
- Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
- IRS determination letter
Election Accessibility Toolkit
The REV UP Campaign, launched by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in 2016, is a nonpartisan initiative that coordinates with national, state, and local disability organizations to increase the political power of the disability community while also engaging candidates and the media on disability issues. The Campaign focuses on voter registration, education, access, and engagement. REV UP stands for Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!
Going Beyond Advocacy
Note: This has been adapted from an article written/published on 1/17/17 by Thomas R. Rosenfield and Joel D. Kassiday.
VisionServe Alliance members can play an important role in influencing policy and legislation through their advocacy efforts, especially when they take their government relations work beyond traditional lobbying. Remaining proactive, rather than reactive, is crucial.
3 Ways To Maximize Your Productivity In 2022
This workshop focused on having the right goals and messages to reduce overwhelm and connect better with your donors and beneficiaries. Speaker: Rachel Bearbower Rachel is the founder of The Productive Executive Director, a community of small shop Executive Directors…
Ready For Anything © How To Master Change And The Way We Respond To Change
Bob Kodzis
APH Connect Center – Better Together
Your Most Important Role As CEO: Protecting The Mission By Replacing Yourself
Your Brand. Your Culture. Your Bottom Line.
Presented by Mark Freid at the VSAELC 2021 Conference
The Prevalence of Vision Impairment & Eye Diseases Among Nursing Home Residents
The Deleware Study
Seizing the Moment: Strategic Investment to Advance a More Inclusive Society
VSA Lunch-and-Learn, presented in partnership with Morgan Stanley October 26 @ 1pm EDT Speaker: Glen Macdonald, Senior Vice President – Institutional Consultant with Morgan Stanley Description: Join us for our October Lunch-and-Learn on strategic investing for your nonprofit. This webinar…