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CNIB Programs & Services Committee Report
to CNIB National Board of Directors, September 2008
The Programs & Services Committee (PSC) met by teleconference on September 9, 2008. Committee members reviewed and discussed the following:
Client Relationship Management System (CRMS) - The Committee is pleased to hear that the project is on time and within the Board-approved budget. A $50,000 in-kind donation of laptops has been received which will help with the implementation of this project. When the Electronic Vision Rehabilitation Record (EVRR) software goes live on April 1, 2009, it will transform CNIB’s service delivery model and help us to better understand where we deliver value to clients. Management agreed to provide a preview of what sort of data will be available pre- and post-EVRR at the next Committee meeting.
Consumer Products & Assistive Technology (CPAT) - Last September, consumers were voicing a number of concerns with the new CPAT sales model. Management reports that now there are very few complaints and the webstore is receiving excellent consumer feedback. Sales of consumer products for the first five months of this year are 23 per cent ahead of last year at the same time. A recent market survey of 371 past CPAT purchasers was undertaken during the summer and results are now being analyzed. A final report for the Chief Executive Officer on the implementation of the CPAT model will be available in March 2009, following further consumer research early in 2009.
In the fall, management will begin to explore ways to produce operating/ instruction manuals in alternative formats for certain consumer products.
Major Gift Campaign – The Committee learnt that KCI (formerly Ketchum) has been contracted to test potential donor support for a major gift campaign. In preparation, case statements are being developed in four areas: Library, Children’s Services, Public Education and Research to determine which one, or combination thereof, is most attractive to current and potential donors. There will be wide consultation and input from Board members.
Research - Keith Gordon, Head of Research, presented updates on the cost of vision loss research study. When it is finished, for the first time ever, Canadians will have solid information to present to the public and funders, especially governments, on the cost of blindness in Canada.
Dr. Gordon also reviewed the comprehensive report prepared for the National Board of Directors. It is especially encouraging to see all areas of CNIB - research, communications, marketing, government relations, services - working together to produce evidence-based information to guide management decisions.
CNIB Guidelines to Accessible Materials – This is intended as a reference for staff on preparing alternative materials and will be posted on the Staff Portal. The Board policy on accessible materials passed in 1990 is being updated to reflect current terminology and will be reviewed by the PSC at the next meeting.
White Cane Policy – The Committee approved revisions to the White Cane Policy which were mainly to reflect current practices and terminology.
Vision 2008 Report – Management reviewed a comprehensive report on the Ninth International Conference on Low Vision held in Montreal from July 7 to 11. It was noted that the opportunity to have eighty-eight CNIB delegates, including staff and consumers, attend an international conference is rare, and participants benefitted from the opportunity for staff training and professional development, observing first-hand the importance of research and best practices, and developing new networks and partnerships.
AER International Conference - This conference, geared towards practitioners, was held in Chicago, July 22-27, with an attendance of over 1,200. Twenty-two Canadian delegates were present; eight of whom were CNIB staff. I was pleased to present to a receptive audience on the Canadian Braille Book, and CNIB was profiled through other presentations by Drs. Gordon, Gold and Shaw; and by the Service Development team on the successful CNIB/Hadley partnership agreement.
The Committee also received brief updates on the CNIB Unified English Braille (UEB) Code, the CEO Executive Search, and the Federal Election Strategy which will focus on two messages: Right to Read and Right to Work.
A Committee member raised two issues for discussion. One being CNIB’s role in accessible design support. Management clarified that queries and work regarding accessible design should be directed to the National Coordinator, Accessible Design Service. The second issue related to expanding the concessions and benefits linked to the CNIB national ID card. Mr. Sanders advised that he will establish a small working group to examine CNIB’s role.
This was my last meeting as Chair of the Programs & Services Committee and I want to thank Committee members and management for a most rewarding experience and extend best wishes for the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Myra Rodrigues,
Chair, Programs & Services Committee.