KABVI NEWS - Volume 47, Spring 2004

REPORT FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, By Nancy Johnson

Recording Secretary/KABVI NEWS Editor

The Board of Directors of the Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (KABVI) met in the Prescott Room of the Salina, Kansas, Public Library. Ten directors and five guests attended. Look elsewhere in KABVI NEWS for detailed information on topics discussed by Directors.

The vehicle donation program has not produced as much income as had been hoped. Several additional organizations have recently entered the competition for vehicle donations. Materials provided by the parent company were presented. They will be further investigated and a marketing strategy developed.

Although office rent has increased, the cost of telephone service has been significantly reduced. Other areas that will be investigated for reduction include liability insurance and the cost of the annual financial review. Several types of annual reviews that can be made were discussed. Consensus was that KABVI must maintain standards to comply with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 501(3c) regulations. An attorney should be consulted or KABVI's treasurer should consult an accountant/tax attorney to determine whether the By-Laws or Articles of Incorporation require a yearly audit, a compilation, or a review to comply with IRS requirements, and whether changing the articles of incorporation or by-laws would make it legal for KABVI to have a less comprehensive and costly accounting procedure done. KABVI would pay up to $200 for such determination to be made. Appropriate language from the bylaws will be reviewed.

Grant applications were discussed. Although KABVI has approximately 280 members, the newsletter reaches over 500 persons each quarter, providing information about blindness and available products and services. It is one of KABVI’s primary educational efforts. It was the consensus of directors that grant funding should be sought to support production of KABVI NEWS so that 165 additional 12 point print issues can be provided to legislators annually. Funds will also be sought to make the large print newsletter available in eye doctors’ offices to increase public awareness of blindness, low vision, and to disseminate pertinent information to others.

Plans for the fifth annual Mary T. Adams Educational seminar were discussed. A joint committee with members from both Kansas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) and KABVI agreed to collaborate for the event, sharing expenses for the seminar. After both groups have heard their committees’ reports, the project will continue with additional joint meetings.

Evaluations from the 2003 Mary T. Adams Seminar were reviewed. They were generally favorable.

House Bill 2388, (the Commission for the Blind Bill) was discussed. Members need to submit comments to their legislators as soon as possible. The other legislative concern was HAVA (Help America Vote Act). The governor and the secretary of state cannot agree on who should show identification at the polls. This conflict could cause Kansas to lose an estimated $27 million for implementation of the act. HAVA is law. The conflict needs to be settled so funding will not be lost. HAVA allows people who have disabilities of various types (including individuals with blindness and low vision) to vote independently, privately, and verifiably.

Consensus was that Salina is a good site for Focus Day, the Board Retreat, and the Board of Directors meeting the week end of April 17-18. Details will be forthcoming.