2019 – Issue 1

LINKSLearning • Innovation • Networking • Knowledge • Sharing

VisionRefer! Pilot Program Launched in , and services,” notes Roxann Mayros, outgoing President of VisionServe Alliance who came up with the idea of VisionRefer! “I am excited to see the pilot project already generating referrals, just like we knew it would.” Florida ASB and 17 other Florida VisionServe member agencies received funding support for the pilot project from Florida Division of Blind Services to create marketing materials such as a tear-off flyer, and print ads. Additional marketing support is being provided by the Florida Society of Ophthalmologists and their partner, Eschenbach Optics, who will begin traveling statewide introducing VisionRefer! to ophthalmologists. “We hope that this pilot project will share the benefits of vision rehabilitation services to patients and their practices and dispel myths about our professions and fears that patients will Florida Agencies Serving the Blind (Florida ASB) be diverted from their care,” says Dr. Elly du Pre, has taken the lead in organizing and funding a Executive Director of Florida ASB. “Our goal is twelve-month pilot program of VisionRefer! – to make adoption of VisionRefer! easy by helping VisionServe’s web-based patient referral system— them put VisionRefer! on their desktops and to introduce VisionRefer! to ophthalmologists in provide handouts to give to their patients.” Florida. Referrals are already successfully being received, beginning with an initial referral made The VisionRefer! pilot project will also launch by an ophthalmologist and sent to the Manasota in March at NewView Oklahoma and Future In Lighthouse on 11, 2019. Sight in New Hampshire to test the efficacy and impact of state-wide single provider systems. It is “VisionRefer! is a 21st-century solution that projected that a nation-wide roll out will begin in will allow physicians to easily and quickly refer late summer. patients of all ages for vision rehabilitation

1 Chairman’s Message CEO Corner John Mitchell, President & CEO, Cincinnati Roxann Mayros, VisionServe Alliance, St. Louis, MO Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired I hope each of you are enjoying Twenty-five years ago, I the New Year with the optimism, spent my work day designing hope and renewal it brings marketing information systems to each of us. I look forward for Fortune 500 companies to serving you as your new in the U.S. and Fortune 100 VisionServe Alliance Board in Europe. Each day I wished Chair and continue the positive that my work made a real progress and growth that was difference. Helen Keller said, achieved in 2018. Needless “Many persons have a wrong to say, I am honored to serve idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not in this capacity and will do everything I can to lead attained through self-gratification but through VSA, with my fellow Board members, to embrace the fidelity to a worthy purpose.” great opportunities that we have available to us. In 1993 I received a call asking me to “take This is a very exciting time for VisionServe with a look” at a small agency serving the blind. Roxann Mayros retiring and transitioning her role Their Board was considering closing it due to of 13 years as President and CEO to Lee Nasehi on mismanagement and a that had destroyed March 1. Roxann has been diligent in ensuring a everything but the shell of the building. I jumped smooth transition and passing of the baton to Lee. at the chance even though I knew nothing about 2019 will also be a year of growing our partnership nonprofits and even less about blindness. with Prevent Blindness to improve and expand Now that I am retiring 26 years later, I have had VisionServe’s public awareness, our presence on the most fulfilling of careers. I have met amazing Capitol Hill and work in the Public Policy arena. All people, seen extraordinary generosity, watched of these efforts are in line with of our Mission of inexperienced leaders become national leaders, “Engaging leaders in building a better world through made lifelong friends, and been a part of growing services for people with vision loss.” We are looking VisionServe into a national collaborative network like forward to continuing our work to bring value and none other inside or outside of our field. support to the important work and missions of each of your organizations. I thank each of you for your professional and personal friendship, for providing your support, Please feel free to reach out to me if you have teaching me everything I know, and for allowing questions or ideas. My email address is john.mitchell@ me to have “the best job in the field!” Please cincyblind.org. I look forward to seeing all of you in stay in touch – [email protected] or Nashville, at our CEO Summit, May 5-8th. 727-505-5801.

2019 Board of Directors Chair: John Mitchell, Cincinnati Association for the Blind Lee Nasehi, VisionServe Alliance and Visually Impaired David Morgan, Future In Sight Vice Chair: Bernadette Kappen, Institute for Libby Murphy, Association for the Blind Special Education Thomas Panek, Guiding Eyes for the Blind Secretary: Mike McGowan, NOAH Erika Petach, Blind and Vision Rehab Services of Pittsburgh Treasurer: Lauren Branch, NewView Oklahoma Shari Roeseler, Society for the Blind-Sacramento Immediate Past Chair: Miki Jordan, Wayfinder Family Dennis Steiner, VisionCorps Services Renee Vidrine, Lighthouse Louisiana Joe Bogart, Blinded Veterans Association Ken Warkentin, Valley Center for the Blind

Welcome to our new Board Members Joe Bogart, Many thanks to outgoing Board Members Mark Libby Murphy and Ken Warkentin. 2 Ackermann, Mike Bina, & Steve Pouliot APH and Lighthouse Team Up On New Program We love to see two of our members collaborating! While in Orlando to launch a new product at ATIA, APH (Craig Meador) partnered with Lighthouse The Tech Grants from the Inspiration Foundation Central are life savers to our members who often struggle Florida to afford updating their technology. We truly (Lee appreciate your support. Nasehi now Kyle Johnson) VisionServe Academic to field test their Scholarship Awarded to David new device Sterne of Visually Impaired called “Code Preschool Services Jumper” David Stern, the lead Blind/Low Vision Specialist with students enrolled in Lighthouse’s after school at VIPS in has been awarded a $1,500 program. Code Jumper is a powerful equalizer that academic scholarship from VisionServe Alliance teaches blind and low vision kids how to “code.” to go towards Great for school-age and transition programs. Want his Blindness to learn more? Check out www.codejumper.com and Low Vision and sign up for the waiting list! Certification. We are especially $5,000 in Tech Grants happy to Awarded to Member Agencies support David’s commitment to The following member agencies were awarded our littlest ones Tech Grants through the Inspiration Foundation to with vision loss. support technical development: Congratulations, • The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and and thank you Blind in New Richey (FL) was awarded again for choosing this field for your $1,500 to fund the purchase of a tablet and Diane Nelson, Executive life’s passion. It software (JAWS & Zoom text). Director and David Sterne, is our pleasure to • New Vision for Independence in Leesburg (FL) support the future was awarded $1,500 to fund the purchase of a of our field. desktop, laptop and software (JAWS, Zoom text and VictorReader Trek) • VisionServe Alliance, $1,500 for a new laptop.

3 2018 Impact Report – Year in Highlights

VisionRefer! Pilot Program begun in by Florida ASB & 17 Florida agencies

Record number of conference attendees, including 4 scholarship recipients. “I so greatly appreciate that you selected me to receive a scholarship for the conference, as our agency would not have National policy work in D.C. been able to support my attendance without it. members met with Senator Casey’s staff to discuss a The opportunity for education and connection comprehensive vision bill. building at VisionServe is invaluable and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.” – Shellena Heber, Strong partnerships scholarship recipient and friendships. “Thank you so much What an incredible year. VisionServe Alliance’s first for the amazingly professional leader, Roxann Mayros, announced wonderful conference! her retirement when the year began, and by year- I think it’s the best I end, Lee Nasehi had been chosen as our second can remember in 20+ professional leader. years of attending them.” – Pam Brandin And in between, we continued our daily to support and inform member organizations, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Prevent Blindness that will create new opportunities and national awareness of our field, produced two Lee Nasehi hired as highly attended and rated national meetings, and Roxann retires. “There launched a new web-based patient referral system is tremendous need called VisionRefer!. across this country We firmly believe the impact of our organization and I know that comes not from what we accomplish, but from the together we are going to make a difference.” passion of the people who believe in our mission— – Lee Nasehi our members and supporters. Thank you for believing in VisionServe Alliance!

44 Thank you to our donors and supporters—your generosity in 2018 allowed us to strengthen our programs and better support our members. Thank you for supporting the mission of VisionServe Alliance. Personal Donors - General Fund Louisiana Association for the Blind Mutual of America $12,125 MAB Community Services Barbara Niedland McCarthy Mark Ackermann Metrolina Association for the Blind Anat Nulman Lauren Branch NY Institute for Special Education Lynne Zaveda O’Brien Pam Brandin St. Louis Society for the Blind Karen Ross Jeff Brasie The Blind & Visually Impaired Center- Debbie Sloan Ronald Cole Monterey Mary Junnila The Carroll Center for the Blind CORPORATE SPONSORS Bernadette Kappen U.S. Association for Blind Athletes CEO Summit Roxann Mayros Association for the Blind ACVREP Mike McGowan VISIONS/Services for the Blind Aira Gerald & Nancy Miller Vista Center for the Blind & V.I. Blindfold Games Thomas H. Miller Bookshare John & Kathy Mitchell Power of R Campaign - $5,950 Lewis Direct David Morgan ABVI - Grand Rapids Lighthouse Guild Lee Nasehi Blind & Vision Rehab Srvs of Pittsburgh NIB Erika Petach Bosma Industries f/t Blind OrCam Steve Pouliot & Fiomena Rego Pam Brandin Robert Brinckerhoff/Morgan Stanley Shari Roeseler Florida ASB U.S. Trust Kenneth Rosenthal Bernadette Kappen Vanda Pharmaceuticals Dennis Steiner Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis Lauren Mayros Executive Leadership Conference 30/300/3000 Campaign Donors Toni Mayros Barkdoll Aira $11,447 Mike McGowan AFB Mark Ackermann Lee Nasehi APH Envision Inc. Erika Petach Blind & Vison Rehab Srvs of Pittsburgh Billy Henry Prevent Blindness Bosma Industries f/t Blind Denise Jess LH First Nonprofit Group Miki Jordan Society f/t Blind Sacramento Lewis Direct Lighthouse Guild Tampa LH f/t Blind Lighthouse Guild Dan Needham Lou Tutt Mutual of America Diane Nelson VIPS NIB NewView Oklahoma Brenda Wendling NewView Oklahoma Savannah Center for B & L.V. Optelec Vermont Assoc. f/t Blind & V.I. Conference Scholarship - $1,380 OrCam ABVI - Goodwill Robert Brinckerhoff/Morgan Stanley Sustaining Donors - $21,180 Anonymous San Antonio Lighthouse ABVI - Goodwill Braille Institute of America The Generational Institute ABVI - Grand Rapids, MI Jeff Brasie US Trust Blind & Vision Rehab Srvs of Pittsburgh James Dismas Vanda Pharmaceuticals Braille Institute of America Earle Baum Center for the Blind Wayfinder Family Services Center f/t Visually Impaired - Renee Fleury Harris Earle Baum Center for the Blind Billy Henry In-Kind Contributions Ensight Skills Center Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis Lewis Direct Future In Sight Mark Lucas Northwest Assoc. for Blind Athletes Lighthouse for the Blind – St. Louis MAB Community Services St. Louis Society f/t Blind & V.I. Lighthouse Guild Jim and Cheryl Mayros Lighthouse Louisiana Metrolina Association for the Blind By the Numbers Financials 600000 116 Members 2018 8 New Members 500000 2017 98% Retention of members 400000 21 Sponsors 20 Strategic goals accomplished 300000 181 Conference attendees 200000 7 National conferences Attended 100000 0 Assets Liabilities Total Net Assets Donor Restricted $32,078 $22,573 5 VISIONSERVE ALLIANCE 4TH ANNUAL CEO SUMMIT May 5 – 8, Nashville, Tennessee VisionServe Alliance hosts our 4th Annual CEO Summit, “Growing Impact,” this May at the Cambria Downtown in Nashville, TN Attendance is open to CEOs/EDs of our member organizations and is your chance to take a deep dive into two timely topics with nationally-known speakers: Day 1: Back by popular demand is Lily Trager with Morgan Stanley on Impact Investing for Nonprofits. Day 2: Contracts and Compensation--All You Need to Know with Tom MacMurray of Mutual of America and Jason Taylor Lily Trager Tom MacMurray of the Krizner Group. Just added! Pre- conference presentation Sunday on Board Engagement with Diane Chipps Bailey, Managing Director & National Practice Executive with US Trust. You’ll also meet VisionServe’s new leader, Lee Nasehi, for a “CEO Chat,” an opportunity to share with her your desires for VisionServe’s future.

Each afternoon will feature facilitated Diane Chipps Bailey Jason Taylor networking activities which will provide opportunities for you to connect one-on- one with leaders from across the country. The Summit ends with our ever-popular Spiel and Steal session, where you can share a winning strategy, pose your biggest challenge, and learn from your peers. Hope to see you there! Last date to register at the standard rate is: Thursday, 4th!

6 Kelly Harris, President/CEO of Conklin Center for the Blind in Daytona Beach, Florida www.conklincenter.org What is your best guilty pleasure? Going out to restaurants with good company for a What is your best nice meal, red wine, and childhood memory? laughter! I’d be out to Learning to ride horses dinner every night if style – hat, I could! cowboy boots and all! I ended up going to “Camp Lonestar” As a new leader, in LaGrange and came what are you most to love barrel racing! impressed by at your agency?

What are you I was struck by the number reading, watching and/or of staff who have made listening to right now? working at the Conklin Center their life-long I listen to music to escape career. Many have worked and read to learn. I’m upward to 25 years. currently reading “Social Value Investing” by Howard Buffett, providing a management Tell us what you value framework for developing about your membership and measuring in VisionServe? partnerships. Because of my congenital Tell us about glaucoma diagnosed at 5 months one item on your old, I’ve had some experience in bucket list. the blindness community but not professionally. Attending my first That’s easy – and it’s VisionServe conference just 30 right here in my back days into the job allowed me door. I want to go to to make new friendships that the – What do you do in offered practical guidance “when in Rome!” your down time? and a network of professionals and services that My church community has I on daily. always been prominent. I also attend concerts by my son who is a talented classical musician. He’s currently in Europe studying, so now I have to seek out my own source of entertainment!

7 2019 CEO Summit, Nashville, TN | May 5 - 8

Photo credit Nashville CVC

2019 Fall Executive Leadership Conference Atlanta, GA | November 3 - 6

©2013, James Duckworth, Courtesy of ACVB & AtlantaPhotos.com

MISSION:  To engage leaders in building a better world through services for people with vision loss. VISION: To be a leader and a unified voice in the field of services for people with vision loss for advocacy, education, ethical management, professional growth, and enhanced services. PURPOSE: To build and nurture a diverse core of future and current leaders within a healthy and vibrant network of private nonprofit organizations throughout the and whose commitment is to enrich the lives of those living with vision loss and to remove the barriers to the pursuit of opportunities. 8760 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, MO 63144 (314) 961-8235 • www.visionservealliance.org

PRINTING AND MAILING DONATED8 BY LEWIS DIRECT