Blinded Veterans Association
66th National Convention

August 16–20, 2011
Las Vegas, NV

Blinded Vets Converge on Las Vegas
BVA national conventions have long been an important family tradition for Larry Martinez, Jr., Field Service Representative for the Association since 1978. Pictured at convention registration on August 16 are, front row, daughter Renee Johnson, great-granddaughter Sierra Hann, and wife Elena Martinez. Left of Larry, daughter Valarie Nibert.

Blinded Vets Converge on Las Vegas
Welcoming smiles from BVA volunteers at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino greeted the first arrivals to the Association's 66th National Convention on August 14. Pictured above, Las Vegas resident Ressi Esguerra.

Hotel:
Golden Nugget
129 East Fremont
Las Vegas, Nevada

Exhibitor Information: email Christina Hitchcock

Attendee information:

Registration Form [PDF document] [WORD] (added 5/11/11)
Registration package [PDF] [WORD] (added 5/11/11)
Draft Schedule of events [WORD] (added 5/11/11)
Las Vegas NV – guide [WORD] (added 5/11/11)
Free And Minimal Charge Activities [WORD] (added 5/11/11)
Golden Nugget Room upgrade Descriptions [WORD] (added 5/11/11)

Exhibitor Information & Sponsorship Opportunities: email Christina Hitchcock
Exhibit Hall Dates : August 16th – 17th

Hotel Pre-Registration deadline: June 14th
Convention Pre-Registration: June 14th

Hotel Registration deadline: July 15th
Convention Registration: July 15th

Due to the anticipated popularity of this convention we encourage early registration, space is limited and registrations will only be accepted on space available.

Reservation Phone Number:
800-634-3454 call to make your registration today.

Room rate:
$42 standard room Single/Double occupancy Monday through Thursday
$79 standard room Single/Double occupancy Friday and Saturday
Upgraded rooms are available for $10 and $25 per night
+Tax 13% lodging tax


Additional Activities: Pre registration required, for all activities.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Blinded Veterans Association
65th National Convention

Commemorating 65 years of Blinded Veterans helping Blinded Veterans
August 24–28, 2010
Washington, DC

Blinded veterans attending BVA's historic 65th National Convention in Arlington, Virginia, August 24-28 were reminded of their fallen comrades at various events throughout the week. Pictured with their guide dogs at the renowned Vietnam Veterans Memorial are, left to right, Jerry Hogan of BVA's South Texas Regional Group and Junior Farley of the Tennessee Regional Group.

Honoring both the founders of their beloved BVA and World War II veterans universally, blinded veterans attending the organization’s 65th National Convention in Washington, DC presented a ceremonial wreath at the World War II Memorial on August 26. Left to right, National Chaplain Neftali Sanchez, World War II veteran Paul Guzman, National Treasurer Steven Beres, and World War II veteran Ted Noddin.

BVA National President Dr. Roy Kekahuna and his wife, Laurel, greeted dozens of Association members, guests, and presenters during the first two days of its historic 65th National Convention in Arlington, Virginia. The gathering, featured a host of formal events and informal opportunities to renew old friendships and offer assistance to veterans who have recently experienced vision loss.

BVA kicked off its historic 65th National Convention August 24 with an Exhibit Hall filled with more than 45 displays of the latest in technology and other aids for the blind and visually impaired. Jim Lystlund, left, and Doug Sprei of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) described their organization’s services to dozens of blinded veterans and their families.

Delegate’s Report
65th BVA National Convention
Arlington, Virginia
24 – 28 August 2010

 
The following is a personal account and report by attendee Tom Cahill, President and 2010 Delegate, South Texas Regional Group BVA.
 
The purpose of this report is to provide the chronology of and a commentary on the subject convention.  I attended the last three conventions and each was better than the previous.  While the BVA is one of the smallest of the veteran service organizations, its impact and the respect with which it is regarded is evident by the speakers and guests attracted to the conventions.  Please consider attending the 2011 convention planned for the Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, NV, 16 – 20 August. 
 
Tuesday, August 24

10:30 am-7:00 pm  Exhibits Hall.  I checked-in Tuesday and dedicated free time on Wednesday to visit the exhibits.  Over forty companies and organizations were present, profit and non-profit, service and technology.

7:00 pm-9:00 pm  President’s Reception.  National President Dr. Roy Kekahuna, Executive Director Tom Miller, and Co-Host Mid-Atlantic Regional Group Member Pete Davis welcomed the attendees.  Beverage tickets were passed out and a hearty buffet took care of dinner.  The reception was the first opportunity for South Texas attendees, Jerry Hogan and Gary Robledo, and regulars from the nationwide Blinded Veterans and Friends web chat room to meet in person.

9:30 pm-Close  Hospitality Suite.  Open each night of the convention, it provided an informal opportunity to meet, mingle, and catch-up with old friends and acquaintances.

Wednesday, August 25

8:15 am-9:45 am  BVA Opening Ceremony.  Prior to the ceremony, I spoke with the keynote speaker, General James Amos, USMC, nominated to be the next Commandant of the Marine Corps and Colonel Don Gagliano, USA, Director of the DoD/VA Vision Center of Excellence.  Superb martial music was played by the Army Brass Quintet.  The Armed Forces Color Guard crisply paraded the colors.  The National Anthem was sung by country music singer Barry Michaels.  Barry later sang an outstanding patriotic original composition.  Welcoming remarks were made by blind attorney Mr. Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to President Obama for Disability Policy.  Very mindful of veteran issues, he expressed President Obama’s commitment to disabled veterans through initiatives such as no co-pays for catastrophically disabled veterans and advanced annual VA appropriations so that veterans do not experience delays in support and treatment from one fiscal year to the next.  General Amos was introduced next.  If confirmed by the Senate, he will be the first Commandant that is a Naval Aviator, not an Infantry Officer.  He warmed the audience up with self-deprecating humor about his upbringing in Idaho.  Then the General focused on the issue at hand -  60 to 80% of battlefield casualties are from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI).   Present day Afghanistan is experiencing the same rate.  The audience was absolutely silent as the General told the stories of two Marines, Mike Jernigan and Matt Bradford and their awe-inspiring struggles with healing and rehabilitation.  General Amos could have talked forever and we would not have budged.  A thunderous applause arose from your fellow BVA members at the conclusion of the speech.  Then we learned from BVA executive director Tom Miller that both Mike and Matt were alumni of the BVA’s Operation Peer Support program where BVA veterans mentor the recently blinded heroes.  Your BVA is making a difference in which you can be proud.  Greetings from the convention host group presented by, Pete Davis, were followed by BVA Auxiliary President Hazel Powell’s remarks and the reading of two congratulatory letters from VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and U. S. Senator Mark Warner, Democrat-Virginia.   

10:00 am-12:00 pm  BVA Business Meeting.  Necessary formalities followed.  All Delegates are required to attend, but it is not required for non-delegates.  You could have skipped this meeting in favor of spending time in the Exhibits Hall.  Peter McKenna, Chairman of the Rules Committee, recommended that the rules remain unchanged from last year’s convention.  The recommendation was accepted by the members and BVA Administrative Director Brigitte Jones read the rules.  Jack Shapiro, Chairman of the Credentials Committee, reported that submitted credentials were in order and Brigitte Jones conducted a roll call of the regional groups.  Florida Regional Group was the largest with almost 1500 active members.  A few groups weighed in with around fifty members.  We then voted to accept the minutes that had been promulgated of last year’s convention.  Next, we listened to the Chief Financial Officer’s report.  The highlights of Kathy Ruais presentation included:  BVA assets equal approximately $8 million.  BVA annual operating budget is approximately $2 million.  The General Fund barely broke even.  Investments were up over last year but still low compared to previous years due to the national trend of no corporate dividend pay outs.  Impact to our regional group is that we stand to receive less dues apportionment income than last year.  Chaplain Neftali Sanchez led us in prayer in remembrance of the 291 BVA members who passed in the last 12 months.  By the way, Neftali led us in prayer before and after the main gatherings at the convention.  The final action at this meeting was to nominate candidates for the national elected offices.  There was only one nomination for each of the four positions and in each case it was the incumbent.  Subject to a final vote of the convention on Saturday, the four incumbents would be elected to serve a second, final term limited, one year term.

10:30 am-7:00 pm  Exhibits Hall.  New this year was live presentations by convention exhibitors every 30 minutes.  I attended the ABiSEE presentation, makers of the EyePal Solo LV which I have demonstrated at several of our San Antonio luncheons.  Next, I attended the HumanWare presentation.  Many of you use their Victor Reader Stream and Trekker Breeze GPS products.  I received some advanced tips on how to use their products.  Of note was a new offering by the American Printing House for the Blind, a competitor to the Victor Reader Stream, the smaller but capable Book Port Plus.  Spent time with Sendero, makers of PDA and GPS devices, guide dog organizations, and so on.  Many of the booths were manned by low-vision and blind employees, so it was easy to learn what one needed to know.

3:00 pm-5:00 pm  By-laws and Resolutions Meeting.  Delegates at this meeting had to decide what resolutions and by-law changes to forward to the general convention for consideration.  Resolutions are actions that the BVA advocates before Congress and/or the Administration/VA.  Resolutions require a simple majority vote.  A by-law change requires a two-thirds majority vote.  The BVA Board of Directors represented by Dr. George Stocking of Florida, presented the case for the changes.  First, it was reported that 10 standing resolutions had been resolved so it was moved to remove them.  Seventeen standing resolutions had not been resolved, so it was moved that they remain in effect.  Two new resolutions were proposed:  #18 To make the Chapter 31 VR&E rehab program equal to the new Post 9/11 GI Bill as had been the case with previous GI bills;  #19 To urge the VA to quickly fill National Program Consultant (NPC) billets, vacant soon due to retirement.    VIST coordinator and BROS staffing falls under the NPC and the BVA does not want to see staffing gaps.  The Committee voted to forward all of the resolution actions to the convention.  Five new, related by-law changes were presented by the Board of Directors:  #1 allows the Board of Directors to appoint an Executive Director from either the membership or associate membership, not just the membership; #2 allows the Board of Directors to set the annual dues instead of BVA members via by-law change; #3 allows the Board of Directors to set the life membership dues instead of BVA members via by-law change; #4 allows Life Membership funds to be distributed 80% to the regional groups and 20% to BVA national instead of 100% to the regional groups as it was done a few years ago; #5 is new authority for the Board of Directors to occasionally hold special promotions such as reduced dues for a set period to encourage a surge in membership applications.  The committee voted to forward all five by-law changes to the convention floor for a vote but changes #3 and #4 were controversial.

6:00 pm-8:30 pm  National Library Services Reception.  We boarded buses and headed to the NLS headquarters for a reception.  The NLS President greeted us and numerous staff members were on-hand to chat with BVA members about Talking Books Program impressions.  We learned that many of the readers are professional actors, favored for their control of the language.  I spoke to Spanish language readers and learned about materials I ought to check out.  I chatted with the NLS Chief Engineer, a friendly Australian who invented the new digital audio book machine which most of us have.  What I enjoyed the most was a long chat with OPS Participant / Specialist Gonzales, who received IED wounds in Iraq in 2004, eight years into his Army service.

Thursday, August 26

Today was an open day for members to sightsee or otherwise relax.  No meetings were scheduled.  Two different tours of Washington, DC sights were available and a trip to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA was also organized.  Removing this free day from the agenda next year, shortening the convention, is under discussion because of the venue and as a cost-saver to traveling members.  Thursday might, the nationwide members of the web chat room Blinded Veterans and Friends http://www.blindedvetsandfriends.org/ gathered for a photograph followed by dinner at a place known for ribs.  Tom Zampieri, BVA Director of Government Relations, joined us and a great time was had by 11 blinded vets and five spouses, one blind.

Friday, August 27

8:15 am-12:00 pm  BVA Forum and Presentations.
1.  New Approaches for Preserving Vision by Dr. Randy Kardon, MD PhD, Professor and Director of Neuro-ophthalmology, VA Iowa City, IA and the University of Iowa.  Notable developments include a home eye camera connected to the internet that facilitates screening and follow-up; orange tint, “blue blocker” lenses that reduce light sensitivity; and research that points to low blood pressure as a contributor to glaucoma – do not take high blood pressure medicine before going to sleep and treat sleep apnea, says Dr. Kardon.

2.   National Eye Institute (NEI) Research Programs for the Augmentation and Restoration of Sight by Dr. Lore Anne McNicol, NEI Director of the Extramural Research Program.  Google or search on YouTube “Brainport”, “2-Sight”, “retina chip”, and “talkinglights” to see technologies discussed.  Dr.  McNicol offered that therapy trials such as the drops used to treat glaucoma, took 30 years to go from research to market.  Adaptive technology appears on the seen much faster.  Also discussed was research on the Zebra fish, whose reproductive retina cells are under study for stem cell research applicability.  Check http://clinicaltrials.gov/ to find and apply for clinical trial participation.

3.  Mike May, Sendero Group founder, described his upbringing and adult life as a blind person.  Mike May pioneered new products and business development since 1980.  In 1999, he founded the Sendero Group to make location information accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.  Mike also benefited from early stem cell research and his vision was partially restored.  Challenges his company is tackling include navigating “the last 50 feet” to the destination and interior navigation based on technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, laser, and dead reckoning.

4.  Audio Description Project by Joel Snyder, President, Audio Description Associates.  Attendees experienced how Audio Description makes visual images accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.  Using words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative, describers convey the visual image that is not fully accessible.  Learn more at http://www.acb.org/adp/.

12:30 pm-2:30 pm  Father Carroll Luncheon.  Keynote Speaker was blind British Army veteran Raymond Hazan, Director of St. Dunstan, the British charitable organization for the care and training of blind ex-servicemen.  Ray lost his sight and right hand to an IRA parcel bomb while on duty in Northern Ireland in 1973.  St. Dunstan was founded in 1915 as World War I wounded started returning to England.  The building that is the home of St. Dunstan was donated by an American citizen and Ray expressed on behalf of his countrymen their appreciation for all that America has done to rescue his country from tyranny.  St. Dunstan’s motto is Accept, Adjust, Achieve.  Ray speech was warm and inspiring.  Five awards were handed out at the luncheon and our own Alison Long received a Letter of Appreciation.  Congratulate her the next time you call into the VIST.

2:30 pm-4:45 pm  District Caucuses.  The candidates for national office, the incumbents, cycled through each of the 6 Caucuses to let us get to know them and to ask questions. 

7:00 pm-10:00 pm  Marine Corps Barracks Evening Parade.  We boarded buses and arrived at the Marine Barracks Washington where we were escorted to special seating to watch the final parade of the summer season.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Conway, presided along with the evening’s honoree, PBS News Hour anchor and former Marine, Jim Lehrer.  The Marine Band, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon, and two rifle companies put on a fantastic parade.  My pocket telescope helped a little.

Saturday, August 28

8:30 am-1:00 pm  BVA Closing Business Meeting.  By-laws and Resolutions were up first.  All of the Resolutions previously discussed were approved by a voice vote.  By-law changes 1, 2, and 5 were approved and changes 3 and 4 were narrowly defeated, 64% and 65% in favor respectively but short of the two-thirds vote required.  Next, elections were held.  President Roy Kekahuna of Nevada, Vice President Sam Huhn of Pennsylvania, our own Secretary Mark Cornell, and Treasurer Steve Beres of Michigan ran unopposed and were re-elected for one final one-year term.  Read their bios at http://www.bva.org/bod.  Finally, Christina Hitchcock, BVA Manager of Conventions and Operation Peer Support, provided a convention update and reported on planning underway.   357 individuals registered for the convention, 147 of whom were BVA members.  For 2011, Las Vegas will be the convention site, 16 – 20 August and the Golden Nugget is the planned hotel.  Room rate is tentatively $49 a night, extra nights will be at the weekend rate of $79.  Elimination of the day for sightseeing trips is under discussion as is moving the start date from Tuesday to Monday.  For 2012, numerous sites are being reviewed.  2012 site options will be discussed and final vote will take place at the 2011 convention.

1:15pm-1:45 pm  Legislative Update – Dr. Tom Zampieri.  Tom discussed accomplishments, future objectives, the current environment, and behind the scenes activities.  Details are too numerous but can be followed at http://www.bva.org/news.

2:00 pm-4:00 pm  Regional Group Leadership Forum.  National Vice President Sam Huhn announced he was working on an update to the Regional Group handbook.  Fundraising and IRS reporting and convention bid preparation will be emphasized.

6:00 pm-10:00 pm  Awards Reception & Banquet.  Final event of the convention.  Dinner was impressive: large cut of Filet Mignon and a large slice of light lemon cake with whipped cream and berry syrup.  The Gold Gavel award for most new members went to the Florida Regional Group.  The Silver Gavel for highest percentage membership gain went to the Cape Cod - Island Regional Group.  The Maas award for professional achievement was awarded to Gene Apple of North Carolina.  The Schnair Volunteer Service award went to Robert Keller of San Diego, CA.  The Diener Award for outstanding service to his regional group was awarded to Dennis O’Connell of the New York Regional Group.  The oath of office was administered to the newly elected BVA and BVAA National Officers.  BVA executive director Tom Miller introduced and thanked the BVA staff and the volunteers who serve daily but particularly made the 2010 convention a success.  After a standing ovation, Chaplain Sanchez led us in prayer and the convention was adjourned.