VISIONS Board of Directors
- 3 year staggered terms of office
- expectation to attend five Board meetings annually on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm in September, November, January, March and May
- The Board meets in midtown Manhattan hosted by a member of the Board.
Duties of Directors
- Fiduciary oversight
- Legal oversight
- Risk Management Oversight
- Lend Professional Expertise
- Give or get financial contributions ($1000 per year or more)
- Assist with public relations and promoting VISIONS
- Membership in at least one Committee
Officers
Board Committees
President
Vice Presidents (up to two)
Secretary
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
Executive
Audit
Benefits/Human Resources
Development
Finance
Fund for the Blind Trustees (4)
Legal
Nominating
Real Estate
Oversight
Program
Special Events
Strategic Planning
VCB VRC construction and start up (2017-2018)
Duties of Board Committees
Oversee specific area of responsibility
Develop and recommend policies to the Board
Advise and serve as a resource to the Board and Executive Director/CEO or designee
Evaluate progress towards agency goals and strategic plan in their area covered by the committee
Provide specialized knowledge
Responsibilities of Committee Chairperson
Provide group leadership in planning, executing and assigning the work of the committee
Report to the Board on the work of the committee and recommend Board action when necessary
Duties of Committee Members
Commit sufficient time to complete committee responsibilities including attending meetings
Utilize contacts in furtherance of the goals of the committee
Provide expertise in the area of committee work
Responsibilities of Specific Committees
Executive Committee
- Members are the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer
- Granted authority to act on behalf of the Board between meetings
- President of the Board is the Chair and determines when meetings are necessary
Audit Committee
- Oversees integrity of the agency’s financial statements
- Reviews independent auditor’s qualifications and independence Reviews performance of the independent auditors
- Provides an open avenue of communication among the independent auditors, financial and senior management and the Board
- Encourages continuous improvement of, and fosters adherence to, the organization’s accounting and financial reporting policies, procedures and practices in compliance with laws and accounting standards
Benefits/Human Resources Committee
- Review employee benefits and employee matters
Development Committee
- Promotes awareness of VISIONS by establishing branding and marketing policies
- Reviews annual report and donor appeals
- Organizes and provides leadership for new fundraising ideas
- Works with the Finance Committee to reach revenue goals
- Leads Capital Campaign by attracting major gifts with Executive Director/CEO or designee
Finance Committee
- Develops and recommends an annual operating budget
- Monitors portfolio, selects investment managers
- Reviews capital expenditures
- Monitors income, expenditures and variances
- Liaises with The Fund for the Blind
- Reviews and approves insurance coverage
- Reviews executive compensation
- Adheres to rules of NYPMIFA
Fund for the Blind Trustees
- Manages all investment activities for the VISIONS Fund for the Blind endowment and chooses the investment managers for the FFB
Legal Committee
- Determines when retaining outside Counsel is warranted
- Provides professional expertise and advice regarding legal and bequest issues
Nominating Committee
- Prepares a slate of nominees when vacancies are to be filled
- Provides an orientation to new Board members
- Leads on-going Board recruitment effort
- Establishes plans to meet Board membership needs
Real Estate Committee
- Oversees VISIONS participation in 500 Greenwich Street Condo Association activities
- Advises the Executive Director/CEO in her role as a member of the Condo Association Board
Oversight Committee
- Administers the agency’s conflict of interest policy and whistleblower policy
- Investigates and resolves all complaints and other matters arising under the VISIONS conflict of interest and whistleblower policies
- Encourages continuous improvement of, and fosters adherence to, the organization’s compliance policies, procedures and practices
Program Committee
- To ensure fiscal sustainability monitors all program contracts
- Develops awareness of VISIONS programs and services
- Meets periodically with staff
- Review compliance with all program contracts
- Assists with recruiting volunteers
- Responds to the special interest needs of the Lions Clubs
- Reviews potential program risks and advises how to best manage them
Special Events Committee (including golf)
- Recommends fundraising events to the Board
- Designs publicity plans for events and solicits support
- Enters into agreements needed to operate Board events
Strategic Planning Committee
- Formulates long-range five-year plan
- Analyzes the need for services, the external environment and the financial and programmatic capability
- Defines, approves and sets the goals and policies to achieve the plan
VCB VRC Committee
- Oversees all activities related to the construction and start-up of the Vocational Rehabilitation Center
Contact
For more information about joining VISIONS Board of Directors, please contact VISIONS Executive Director/CEO
Nancy D. Miller
Executive Director/CEO
VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
500 Greenwich Street Suite 302
New York, New York 10013
