VisionServe Alliance Members Receive Exclusive Benefits
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Join a Network of Leaders
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Access Information & Resources in the Member Portal
Join forces with hundreds of leaders and organizations in the field, access exclusive members-only events, and receive tremendous member benefits to strengthen your organization, cultivate leadership, and reduce costs.
Explore Member Benefits for You and Your Organization
VisionServe Alliance is a consortium of US and Canadian organizations and their leaders working collectively to advance the field dedicated to serving people of all ages with blindness and low vision. VisionServe Alliance members receive access to exclusive industry data, leadership conferences, members-only meetings, workshops, webinars, and reports, plus significant cost savings. See the complete list of benefits below.
Join a Dynamic Collective of Leaders
A VisionServe Alliance membership provides the latest information and most effective tools industry leaders need to strengthen member organizations. Membership also creates unique opportunities to collaborate with industry peers and share best practices to elevate networking to the highest level. Our coalition addresses the strategic issues that most affect our industry, influences national policy, enhances management systems, advances best practices, increases awareness of vital services, and fosters industry innovation on a national, state, and local level.
Access our Powerful Network
The VisionServe Alliance member network supports more than 150,000 blind and visually impaired people nationally, with an annual economic contribution of nearly $300,000,000 in the US alone. Hear what Members say about VisionServe Alliance.
For Chief Executives of non-profits and charitable organizations recognized under the laws of the United States and Canada whose primary mission is the provision of services, products, and/or support to people who are blind or have low vision and/or the organizations serving them and support the goals and values of the Alliance. Dues are based on annual operating expenses according to line 18 of your organization’s latest IRS form 990.
Associate Organizations
For Chief Executives of for-profit organizations involved in the provision of services, products and/or support to people who are blind or have low vision and/or the organizations serving them; and for non-profit organizations whose missions include the provision of services, products, and/or support to people who are blind or have low vision and/or the organizations serving them but may not be primary or exclusive. Examples include but are not limited to, eye banks, assistive technology product and training companies serving people of all disabilities, aging and healthcare organizations, Centers for Independent Living, academic institutions, and research entities. The key difference in benefits between Associates and regular VSA Members is that Associates do not have a vote in organizational business. Dues are based on annual operating expenses.
Grant-Making Organizations
This membership is for Chief Executives of organizations that provide grants to nonprofit organizations in the blindness and low vision field. Dues are $500 for all Grant-Making Organizations.
Cultivating Leadership Collaboration We provide networking opportunities for new and seasoned leaders alike. We connect innovative thinkers in nonprofit services to people with vision loss to invent new solutions, share information, and inspire creativity.
Developing Leadership Skills Our annual conferences provide the training, information, and insights that help CEOs and Executive Directors meet day-to-day challenges, perform better, and achieve greater success.
Mentors and Peer Consultants Program Whether you are a new CEO juggling myriad demands of executive leadership, a mid-career leader who feels stalled in terms of expansion ability, or a seasoned CEO looking towards retirement and concerned about a succession plan, draw from the collective expertise and experience of VSA members.
Interested in serving as a mentor or being matched with a mentor? Let us know.
Expanded Members-Only Access for 10 TeamMembers Chief Executives of member organizations can register up to 10 team members to receive access to the Member Portal, newsletters, webinars, and other exclusive Members-Only benefits.
Access to Discounted VisionServe Consulting Services VisionServe Consulting empowers, emboldens, and equips leaders and their teams to build healthy organizations that share a common vision to fulfill their missions. Successful organizations thrive on clear, consistent, comprehensive operating systems and healthy leadership cultures. Commit by the end of the year to implement the System & Soul operating system in 2023 to get a free Kolbe Analysis for you and four team members. Value = $500
To learn more, contact Lee Nasehi at leen@visionservealliance.org. Lee is an experienced implementor of System & Soul, The Leadership Challenge, the Kolbe Index, and can also structure custom consulting, including board retreats and strategic planning.
Referrals Through VisionRefer and VSA Website VisionServe Alliance members get referrals from our website and through VisionRefer, an electronic referral website created for eye care and other medical professionals that connects clients across the country to local service providers. Click here for current participating members listed in the Member Directory.
Advocacy in Action We coordinate public policy efforts throughout the field, working in partnership with other national organizations in our field to advance issues of concern to people of all ages with blindness and vision loss, and organizations – like yours – who provide services to them. Our laser-focused approach creates a collective voice that amplifies our impact. Visit our Public Policy and Advocacy webpage to learn about the issues we are addressing. In addition, the VSA member eNewsletter regularly contains advocacy and policy updates.
Networking Opportunities for You and Your Staff Our annual conference provides invaluable networking opportunities and professional development for you and your staff.
Free Access to Webinars and Affinity Groups You and your staff can connect online, discuss issues, and share solutions through our webinars and within affinity groups, including the CEO Affinity Group, and Small Organization Affinity Group. View the Upcoming Events calendar to see what’s happening next and check your eNews for registration links.
Access to the VSA Member Portal Knowledge Base The Member Portal Knowledge Base is a searchable database filled with videos of previous VSA conference speakers, their literature and an archive of useful documents on topics, including Public Policy/Advocacy, Board Management/Governance, Data and Research, Organizational Development, Aging and Vision Loss, Human Resources, Leadership, DEI, Program Services, Marketing & Public Awareness, COVID-19, and Accessibility.
Members-Only Marketing Benefits, including a Vision Rehabilitation Educational Blog, Assistance in Applying for a Google Ads Grant or Support to Optimize an Existing Google Ads Grant. Learn more.
Bimonthly e-Newsletters Our staff monitors a vast array of list servers, newsletters, blogs, and websites, so you don’t have to. The result is a content-rich semi-monthly newsletter covering issues, including best practices in services, nonprofit management, funding opportunities, legislative issues, and medical news. Value = Priceless
Waived Fees for Mutual of America’s Retirement program You and your employees may be eligible for a substantial discount on retirement fund management fees through our partner, Mutual of America. This opportunity allows small agencies unable to afford the high cost of a 403(b) to create one at no charge and provides significant savings to medium and large organizations. Contact Mutual America VP of National Accounts Renee Shew for a price quote. Value = $10,000 and up
Discounted Conference Fees and Access to Scholarships When you become a member, you get a discounted conference registration fee. You can apply for an annual conference scholarship (for member organizations whose annual budgets are $1.5 million or less) to attend a VisionServe Alliance conference at no cost. This scholarship covers hotel and/or conference registration. Value = Up to $1,500
Society for Nonprofit Organizations Complimentary Membership The SNPO provides the leaders, staff, volunteers, board members, and consultants of small to mid-sized nonprofits with a single source of educational materials and funding sources to meet many of their most significant needs, including an annual subscription to their online magazine and library with more than 1,500 articles, annual subscription to Funding Alert – their online funding newsletter, free access to all live webinars, and more than 50 hours of recorded webinars (opt-in required). Value = $129
GrantStation Free Access Free access for one designated staff to the GrantStation.com database of 5,000+ current grant opportunities, plus tools for successful granting (opt-in required). Value = $699
Discounted Unemployment Insurance & Cybersecurity Insurance Through First Nonprofit First Nonprofit offers VisionServe Alliance members two safe alternative unemployment insurance programs: The Unemployment Savings Program and the Bonded Service Program. Log in to the Member portal to download the application or contact us at (314) 961-8235 to learn more.First Nonprofit also offers Cyber Protection to secure organizations with a comprehensive cyber protection solution, integrating cutting-edge cybersecurity software with competitively priced insurance coverage from top-rated carriers. Enjoy coverage for extortion losses due to ransomware, data restoration in case of compromised or stolen data, and seamless hardware replacement in the aftermath of cyberattacks. Members receive a discount on the annual cybersecurity premium through First Nonprofit’s subsidiary, Elpha Secure. Value = $10,000 and up
Group Buying Discounts VisionServe Alliance members receive discounts and new product placements from Cleanlogic, OrCam, HumanWare, Vispero (Freedom Scientific and Optalec), and more. Discounted office supplies are also available from Alphapointe. Contact us at (314) 961-8235 to learn more.
Complimentary Compensation and Benefits Study We have created the first-ever professional and comprehensive compensation and benefits survey for executive-level positions, vision rehabilitation therapists, teachers of the visually impaired, and occupational therapists. The study is completed in the spring of even calendar years. *Free for survey participants, $300 for other VSA members, and $600 for non-members. Value = $600
Membership is restricted to the Executive Director/CEO of non-profits or charitable organizations (recognized under the laws of the United States and Canada) whose primary mission is to serve people who are blind or visually impaired and who support the goals and values of VisionServe Alliance. Dues based on annual operating expenses, can be determined based on your organization’s latest IRS form 990, line 18.
“I am a strong believer in the value of partnerships and collaborations. Attending the VSA conferences has been a great way to find partners and collaborators, learn new information to be a better administrator and steal good ideas from colleagues around the country. Bring along your executive team for even greater impact!”
Nancy D. Miller, Executive Director/CEO VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
“VSA’s conferences are must attend events for me. The sessions and the relationships formed are extremely valuable for any professional in this industry.”
Jason Frazier, President and CEO MindsEye
“I’m a member of VisionServe Alliance for the ability to connect with my peers from around the country to continue my ongoing growth in this field, to build relationships because I know that we’re stronger together when we can have a united voice in this field, and to know that I have friends and colleagues around the country who are working so hard to create the dignity and independence for people who are blind and visually impaired.”
