|
|
We help blind
and visually impaired individuals
stay in their homes
and out of institutions.
|
Like
most non-profit organizations Sierra Services for the Blind is managed by
a Board of Directors. It differs in that there is a voting membership,
which has the power of approval over the actions of that Board of
Directors. Structured similar to stockholders, there is in the by-laws a
provision which requires an Annual Meeting of the Membership. At this
meeting the Board of Directors must place before the membership any
changes they recommend for the by-laws. The Membership then votes if he
change is acceptable to them, or not. Should the Board of Directors
mismanage the organization, the Membership has the fright to vote out the
Board of Directors entirely or in part. It can then replace them with an
election at the meeting. This system, and the fact that most members are
also clients, assures the agency remains committed to the original
purpose, to serve the needs of the blind and visually impaired of our
service area. The Board meets monthly on the
second Tuesday. Like all boards of directors they are responsible for
setting policy and directing fund raising activities. They set the budget,
accept and oversee accounting and other management functions, and manage
personnel issues. Presently over half are also
clients. The Executive Director is
responsible for the daily management of the organization, staff and all
programs. He is also the manager for fund raising event promotion and
development. He is also responsible for the development and management of
grants, and the development of the budget and oversees all expenditures.
The present Executive Director has been with the agency for over 18
years. Working under the Executive
Director is a staff who has proven their dedication to the individual for
over 22 years. The Program/Counseling/Transportation Coordinator has been
with the agency for 17 years. As the most critical ability the blind lose
is the ability to drive, and thus access not only the community and
critical medical needs, but the program itself, the transportation side of
her job is the most critical to the rest of the program. Trips to
counseling and other agency programs, medical appointments, and vision
related medical appointments out of town are the backbone of her day. She
also serves as a one-on-one counselor, and works with the Program
Specialist to develop a program most suitable to the individual
client. The Program Specialist is primarily
the peer counselor. The position requires the individual to be blind or
visually impaired. They are also responsible for the development of the
program for the individual, including individual counseling, placement in
peer and other groups or programs, and work with the family to develop
understanding for the unique needs of the
client. The Office Coordinator holds the
responsibility for the management of the office and all client records.
This person is responsible for developing reporting information for
grants, file management on each client, and correspondence for tax
deductible donations, newsletters, and the original intake and recording
of all incoming funds. Particularly in the case of
transportation, but also in the fund raising area, volunteers make the
difference between success and failure of the program. This requires
volunteers, who often find the return for service on a human level far
exceeds mileage paid by the organization.
|