by Board of Directors
[Editor's Note: From President Jeff Thom:
Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or a small nonprofit like CCB, without a rudder to guide the ship, you are at great risk of floundering and running
a-ground. That is why the CCB Board of Directors, under the leadership of President Pomerantz, has adopted a strategic plan that contains specific goals
and objectives that, if we can achieve them, will enable us, over the next few years, to expand our financial resources, increase membership, improve the
way we run our organization, and, in general, become better able to improve the lives of Californians who are blind or have low vision. Achievement of
these goals and objectives will take commitment and effort from all of us. Taskforces are being established to spearhead the implementation of each goal
in the strategic plan. Thus, I urge you to take a close look at the elements of the strategic plan and determine in what ways you can help in its implementation.
The last issue contained Goal 1; this issue contains the balance of the Strategic Plan with Goals 2, 3 and 4. ]
MISSION
After some discussion about the Mission of CCB, the Mission Statement was modified to read as follows: The Mission of the California Council of the Blind
(CCB) is to gain full independence and equality of opportunity for all blind and low vision Californians. This revised Mission Statement should be approved
by the Board and substituted for the present Mission in all documents and on the website.
GOAL #2
Review organizational structures and functions to implement efficiencies and enhance the provision of services.
Objective #1: Hire an Executive Director
(Covered under Goal#1 Objective 3) Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Could be combo executive director/ development director. Actual
details to be developed. Work with Personnel Committee. January 1-2017
Objective #2: Hire a Grant Writer on a contract basis. Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Determine what aspects of CCB are most fundable
with grants Task Force Estimated $10K/grant with grant writer July 1, 2015 B. When hired, need great specificity in contract agreement - what deliverables
and when Task Force January 1, 2016- no limitation on what category Volunteer super-vision C. Capacity building grant may be most appropriate to begin
with Task Force makes the case for such a grant - e.g. the Strategic Plan, now one Convention-Conference, re-energized Board, policies in place, etc October
1, 2016 Estimated $10K/
grant with grant writer
Objective #3: Better efficiency in information collection & retrieval Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Membership database completed
& up to date ACB data base big help December 1, 2014-ongoing- process largely completed AA's salary B. Conference registration, processing of payments
automated online Administra-tive Assistant & volunteers February 1, 2015 AA's salary & his role in supervis-ing effort C. Explore getting an iPhone app
and using PayPal Task Force February 1, 2015 None
Objective #4: Total review of office technology Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Explore the possibility of Cisco Systems donating a
phone system for longer voice message boxes, ability to have Blind Californian read on one of the boxes. Task Force and AA to specify what is needed in
phone system and make an approach to Cisco Systems October, 2014- com-plete initial inquiry Minimal installation costs B. Examine the state of office
computers and upgrade/replace as needed Task Force and AA Novem-ber 2014-on-going Perhaps $5K C. Vet stacks of old paper records and put relevant ones
on computers.
Need processes which don't generate paper Task Force Ongoing
January 2018 com-pletion Perhaps none if techie volunteer is found - perhaps intern from local college or even high school
Objective #5: Board issues - Structures and Board Development Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Complete & Implement Board Expectations
document Task Force & Board adoption of document to use in Board recruitment Document completed October 2013 None B. Examine present committee structures
and recommend changes re: number and nature of committees & use of Task Forces Task Force & Board adoption & necessary changes to Constitution & Bylaws
needed Completion convention 2016 None C. Establish a method of informing the membership of skills the Board needs, construct a new Board Orientation
& ongoing development Task Force constructs approach and Board modifies and adopts. Ensures succession planning. Completion Convention 2016-may need Constitution
changes None
Objective # 6: The Blind Californian Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Coordinate with the active overall review of the Blind Californian
Task Force (committee gives recommend-ations to board by convention 2015) Ongoing from present None
GOAL #3
Increase membership and strengthen local Chapters and Affiliates.
Chair: Leena Dawes. Members: Linda Porelle, David Jackson & Eric Smiley. (The consultant recommends that the task force enlist the help of 2 or 3 members
to assist with this Task Force. Recommendations of persons must be cleared first with the Board Chair.)
Objective #1: Orchestrating a mentoring program throughout CCB Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Create a mentoring Task Force This
Task Force Begins August 1, 2014 None B. Charge this Task Force with setting up a "buddy system" for new Board, Committee & Affiliates members. (At least
one phone call per week.) Mentoring Task Force January, 2015 None C. Extend mentoring to members new to CCB by asking those not much involved with CCB
to be these mentors This Task Force in conjunction with Mentoring Task Force (December, 2014) Convention None D. Ensure that present and future leaders
have a mentor This Task Force August 1, 2014- make sure this chore distributed among a number of people None
Objective #2: Chapter Development Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Strongly encourage chapters to have one regional event per year,
rotating amongst counties. A CCB Board Member should attend each if possible. August 1, 2015 $1000 for travel to regional meetings B. Assisting Chapters
in matters of transportation for Chapter and regional meetings This Task Force, perhaps engaging local Lions Club members Collect resources for chapters/
members to tap- February 1, 2015 None C. Hold periodic CCB membership calls made by Board Members to exchange information both ways This Task Force establishes
the plan for the calls and enlists Board Members to make calls Starting October 1, 2014- five office hours calls year- president/ officer and board member
on call None D. Implement a master calendar for various events such as fundraisers, speakers, meetings, etc. Administrative Assistant hosts the calendar,
this Task Force designs and implements the practice Decembe
r 1, 2014-ongoing None E. Investigate the efficacy of each Chapter & Affiliate having a listserv Each should have two monitors
This Task Force October 1, 2014 None F. Find ways for committees to work together more This Task Force stimulating the Board to take leadership here ongoing-
bring suggestions to next convention board meeting None
Objective #3: Recruitment Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Those on scholarship lists and recent winners are specifically invited to
Convention This task force prepares invitation and has board chair sign it March 1, 2015- invitation to convention and other events- ongoing contact Postage
and time B. To get more college students, we might go to classes and present various topics. Develop or revise present brochure Task Force can design
a program to be presented, make contact with colleges & recruit speakers (This task can be assigned to another committee) December 1, 2014 $500 for bro-chures
C. Over the year, speak to every TVI class in the state & DOR counselors Task Force drafts message, makes contacts with colleges and recruits December
1, 2015 None D. Post resources and CCB literature in ophthalmology & geriatric offices Task Force works through Chapter offices, identifies sites and
asks Chapter personnel to distribute materials CCB provides Novembe
r, 2014-ongoing Approxi-mately $500 for bro-chures & mailing E. Explore forming a special interest affiliate for blind parents Task force explores as
best they can the market for such an affiliate & proceeds from the results of that search convention 2015 None F. Launch an effort to reach sighted children
of blind parents Task force, like above, explores potential market and proceeds from the results of that search convention, 2015- explore family track
None G. Visit the veterans blind center in Palo Alto to recruit veterans & help them get veterans benefits A member of the Task Force visits the center
and discusses how CCB might help February, 2015 None H. Engage diabetes educators in the marketing of CCB Task Force identifies the educators and makes
initial contact June, 2015 None I. Make crystal clear "What do I get by being a part of CCB?" Whereas this is last, it has a due date very early. This
is a critical piece of all of the above September 1, 2014 None
GOAL #4
Discern the implications of going to one Conference/Convention and construct strategies to address them.
Chair: Robert Wendt. Members: Artis Bazyn, Gabe Griffith, & Roger Peterson. (The consultant recommends that the task force enlist the help of 2 or 3 Members
to assist with this Task Force. Recommendations of persons must be cleared first with the Board Chair.)
Objective #1: Board Meeting schedule Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Have an in-person meeting in the fall Task Force recommendation
to the Board Annually Have suggestions for budget committee in August 1, 2014- have proposal for convention board meeting 2015 None other than travel for
some A.1 Have President's meeting with Board Meeting Task Force recommendation to the Board Periodically None other than travel for some A.2 Hold a legislative
seminar at the same time Task Force recommendation to the Board Periodically None other than travel for some A.3 Hold a membership seminar at the same
time Task Force recommendation to the Board Periodically None other than travel for some A.4 Hold committee meetings or joint committee meetings at the
same time Task Force recommendation to the Board Periodically None other than travel for some
Objective #2: The Resolution Process Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Resolutions must be in before the convention Task Force recommendation
to the Board Annually None A.1 Move the deadline to one day earlier Task Force recommendation to the Board Annually None A.1 Move the deadline to one
day earlier Task Force recommendation to the Board Annually None A.2 Committees must be thinking of resolution in a more timely manner Task Force recommendation
to the Board Annually None
Objective #3: Getting more delegates to convention Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Offer a limited number of stipends to small chapters
- particularly those at other end of the state Task Force recommendation to the Board annually August 2014- budget committee recommendation Estimat-ed
$3K/yr
A.1 Get greater buy-in from moneyed chapters who do have funds but don't send delegates Task Force design a plan to accomplish this annually October,
2014- ongoing None
Objective #4: Board Meetings revisited Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Have two in-person Board Meetings (April/May & October) and two
open conference call meetings December/January & July/August Task Force recommendation to the Board when also considering Objective A1 Annually
August 2014 budget relevant Travel costs greater than Objective A1 B. Ensure that Board Members document money spent for affiliate activities not reimbursed
& submit to Admin. Assistant Task Force proposes action to Board October, 2014 for proposal
Annually
October 2014 ongoing None
Objective #5: Fostering greater communication Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Have a voice mail box for public comments re: CCB with
a person monitoring it Task Force divides monitoring duties and recruits volunteers to assist Set up constructive input September 2014 ongoing Minimal
B. Require Chapters & Affiliates to post an annual report of activities in the Fall Blind Californian & on website Task Force orchestrates the initiative
and gets buy-in from Chapters and Affiliates Begins January, 2014 with results in fall 2015 Publications committee could present idea
January 2015 ongoing None C. Establish an ethos of sharing ideas, successes and failures Task Force champions this idea and moves it forward Beginning
January 2015 None
Objective # 6: Additional ideas to consider Activities Responsible Party Time Frame Costs A. Increase Board Members and Committee Chairs travel to chapters
August, 2014- Budget Committee consideration August, 2014 A.1 Chapters might invite persons they want for their expertise A.2 Chapters might offer
housing & meals to save costs Task Force presents plan for this to the Board and informs Chapters of this initiative Some travel assistance to Board Members
Estimate at $3K/ annum B. Strengthening special interest affiliates See below None B.1 Encourage members to go to local chapters to speak about their
affiliate Task Force shares this idea with affiliate Chairs October 2014 B. 2 Affiliates hold teleconference meetings for members & interested people
Task Force shares this idea with affiliate Chairs October 2014 None C. Hold a free standing Capital Day when convention not in Sacramento Task Force coordinates
this Day with government-al affairs Every other year
February 1, 2015 ongoing-coordinates with Governmental Affairs committee None Consultant Notes
Task Force Chairs oversee their GOAL and initiate actions as indicated.
Perhaps the first task re: the DRAFT is for each Task Force to review the time frames suggested and modify them as appropriate.
Task Force Chairs report biweekly to Board Chair via email or phone progress on their GOAL.
Task Force Chairs briefly report on their progress at each and every Board meeting.
Additions to each Task Force must first be cleared by the Board Chair. These additions may include persons who are not CCB members but have needed skills.
Constant monitoring of this process is critical. Keeping momentum going makes the job both easy and successful.
I wish you God speed in this work.
Respectfully,
Don Wells, donwellsconsulting@yahoo.com
July 2013
