EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

In publishing another annual report, we are reminded that in order to look to the future, we must take stock of where we have been in the past, where we are now, and where we hope to go. With this in mind, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind will develop a strategic long-range plan in 2004. This plan will provide us with the opportunity to review those things we have accomplished over the years, the ones that never quite happened, and most importantly, establish the direction the Council will take over the next 3 to 5 years.

We are fully aware that growth does not happen by itself. Positive and productive growth comes with the investment of time, energy, and the willingness and ability to make needed changes. We are very proud of the programs and services of the Council, and look forward to serving in increased ways during the coming years.

History, mission, and vision are the themes of this years report, but they reflect much more than just a catchy title on the cover. We believe that the history of our organization reflects the efforts and dedication of hundreds of individuals who have served not only as Council members, but those who have willingly assisted with their time and financial contributions. The mission of the WCB remains clear and strong as we seek to promote the dignity and independence of individuals in our state who are blind or visually impaired.

Finally, any organization must have a vision that allows it not only to look toward the future, but also recognize both the positive elements that will help it continue to function, as well as those areas that may serve as a barrier to service. Unstable economic climates certainly affect many of us who serve in the not for profit arena. With a vision toward the future, we can prepare ourselves, to the fullest extent possible, to face these challenges.

To all of you who have given your support to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind over the years, we offer our heartfelt thanks. To those of you who are new to the Council, we thank you for showing an interest in our programs. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

Sincerely, Dick Pomo, Executive Director Madison, Wisconsin

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Here, at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind, creating the future is a joint pursuit involving customers, clients, staff, administrators, Council members and our loyal friends and supporters statewide. In this 2003 Annual Report on programs and services you will see how our dreams are fullfilled. A team effort helps us to make advances and improvements in public understanding, technology changes, assistive devices and advocacy.

The WCB will continue to work with everyone to capitalize on our strength and momentum to create an even more vibrant agenda of public service and programs.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

There is within the Council a renewed commitment to the important goal of improving the public’s knowledge and acceptance of vision loss, vision impairment and blindness. Providing the most relevant materials and information to schools, libraries, church groups, businesses, eye care specialists, the media, health fairs, low vision support groups, transportation agencies, and service clubs is a regular part of our daily activities. We listen carefully to the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. We take their ideas and insert them into our strategic planning. We welcome all suggestions to improve, update and expand our educational messages.

Four long-term information goals have been our priority for 2003: increased information about and for people who are blind or visually impaired, technology training, new employment opportunities, and improved public transportation. The demand for information grows each year and we always evaluate our message to ensure that we meet the needs of those we serve.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Since 1952, legislative advocacy has been one of the primary missions of the WCB. We continue to participate in the legislative process. We take part in legislative hearings, budget deliberations, drafting bills, special committee studies, advisory committees and public forums. During 2003 the Council has taken special interest in the state budget and policies of the following Wisconsin agencies: Department of Public Instruction, Department of Workforce Development, Department of Transportation and Department of Health and Family Services. These are lead agencies in providing a myriad of services to citizens who are blind or visually impaired.

While state agencies administer the policies adopted by law, we also maintain contact with legislators who create the laws. In 2003 we emphasized these legislative initiatives. We are introducing legislation to update the laws that relate to the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors Program. We will be working with the leaders and members of various dog guide user organizations to create a series of new laws to protect and clarify the rights and safety of dog guides and their users. The regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped may yet face additional budget shortfalls. We will be there to help maintain this important service.

The WCB has hosted successful legislative days in which individuals who are blind and visually impaired meet directly with legislators and agency administrators. This ensures that legislators understand the issues, needs and desires of our statewide community.

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

This year WCB has taken great pride in providing over $210,000.00 worth of assistive to the people of Wisconsin who request and purchase them. We are happy to say that we sell these items slightly below program cost. Our staff solves programs and answers questions a customer may have. Our new building and showroom allow us ample space to display the latest advances in technology, as well as practical everyday items. We are creative in seeking from around the world the very best in simple household devices, and advances in communication, which we know can level the playing field for people who are blind or visually impaired. In 2003 we added new items for purchase as well as expanded our store hours. This remains the single largest service we provide.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2003 WCB PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

• 1,125 white canes provided to state residents at no charge
• 68 volunteers provided thousands of volunteers service hours
• 415 people directly served by rehabilitation, braille, technology, mobility and orientation programs
• 71,800 miles logged on Wisconsin roads by WCB staff, Council members and volunteers
• 161 presentations at schools, hospitals, independent living centers, civic groups, clubs, symposiums and corporations
• 400 people served at WCB seminars in Wisconsin
• $210,000 of assistive devices provided to Wisconsin residents at cost
• $1,000 scholarships provided to 7 college or techinical school students
• 32,000 information and referral calls received
• 79 related unaffiliated groups collaborated with us to ensure quaility services to blind individuals
• 40 radio, newspaper, and TV interviews on the subject of vision loss, blindness and coping with those conditions

LEGACY CIRCLE

How we fund our programs and services

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind has established a Legacy Circle to recognize people who are planning gifts that will provide significant financial benefits to blind and visually impaired people in the future. The Legacy Circle also recognizes the 234 people who believed in what we do by giving us beneficiary gifts from their wills. It was created to help organize, recognize and increase gifts to the WCB. Membership in the Legacy Circle is open to any individual who has or will list the WCB as a beneficiary in their will. Since November 10, 2000, we have received over $1,130,000.00 from friends of the Council. Thank you.

Every gift to the Council makes a difference. Every donor becomes a cherished friend. To become a member of our Legacy Circle call the Council’s development office. No individual dollar amounts are made public.

“The proceeds of our George Card Endowment Fund are the mainstay of our program and service support”.

Arnold Tucker, Co-chair WCB Capacity Campaign, Park Falls, WI

“We are focused on creatively managing our existing resources and finding new ones to build a fiscally sound foundation for our missions’ fulfillment”.

Robert Hueller, Chair, Public Relations & Development Committee, Sheboygan, WI

Invest in the future of WCB— Become a member of the Legacy Circle

2003 WISCONSIN WHITE CANE REPORT

Our History, our Mission, our Vision. For 51 years we have assisted blind or visually impaired persons to achieve dignity and independence. The annual White Cane Fund plays a crucial role in funding the services that help us reach this goal. These services include adaptive equipment, public education, rehabilitation teaching, mobility and orientation programs, technology training, scholarships and of course the free white canes that give our fund drive its name. In 2003 we added several successful campaigns to raise awareness of the Wisconsin White Cane Law. Many individuals, support groups, Lions Clubs and local committees helped us bring a keener awareness to improved pedestrian safety.
The White Cane Law in Wisconsin states

“An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching closer than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red and which is held in an extended or raised position or who is using a dog guide and shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the pedestrian.”

WCB WHITE CANE FUND

Allocations for 2003

• Badger Association Guide Dog Users
• Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
• Barron County Library
• Blindskills, Inc.
• Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
• Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc.
• Hadley Correspondence School for the Blind
• Lions Eye Bank
• Midwest Associaition for the Blind
• Newsreel
• Prevent Blindness of Wisconsin
• St. William's Janesville Boy Scouts
• Vision World Wide, Inc.
• Volunteer Braillists & Tapists, Inc.
• Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped
• Wisconsin Blind Bowling Association
• Council Allocations
• Council White Cane Fund
• Council Rehabilitation Teaching
• Council Low Vision Program
• State Rehabilitation Teachers
• WCB Contingency Building Fund
• White Cane Safety Brochure for New Drivers

Your generosity makes a difference and we look forward in 2004 to sharing the exciting news of what we accomplished together. Thank you to every single person who has helped in this effort. We believe it is good business to let you know where and how your donations are used.

FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT

Wisconsin Council of the Blind - September 30, 2003

Assets

Cash                                           $728,311
Investments                               5,354,201
Loans Receivable, Net                 332,184
Other Assets                                151,490
Property and Equipment, Net    1,747,351
Pledge Receivables                        21,000
Total Assets                             $8,334,537

Liabilities

Accounts Payable                    $8,334,537
Accrued Expenses                          23,329
Total Liabilites                               $26,693

New Assets

Unrestricted                                 $8,334,537
Permanently Restricted                      50,322
Total Net Assets                            8,334,537
Total Liabilites and Net Assets     $8,334,537

Source of Operating Fund

Special Grants and Individual Gifts                                  $610,398
General Contributions and White Cane Fund                      83,797
Legacy Circle Bequests                                                     316,171
Endowment Interest and Dividends                                   162,230
Total                                                                             $1,172,593

Operating Fund Utilization

General Operations and Administration                           $146,404
Pubilc Education, Development                                            72,699
Capacity Campaign and Philanthropy
     Programs and Services                                                 676,278
Total                                                                                 $885,378

Sources of Operating Fund

General Contributions and White Cane Fund                           8%
Endowment Interest and Dividends                                         19%
Legacy Circle Bequests                                                           37%
Special Grants and Individual Gifts                                          36%

Operating Fund Utilization

Public Education, Development, Capital
Campaign and Philanthropy                                                       8%
General Operations and Administration                                   13%
Programs and Services                                                            79%

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is strongly committed to improve and delivering programs and services to people living with vision loss or blindness. The careful management of our gifts and donations enable us to follow an accurate business plan to help us achieve our mission.

March 1, 1958. The George Card endowment fund is established by formal resolution of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind. This picture is of Mr. George Card holding the tribute document signed by Mr. Alton Davis and Mr. Phil Dumbleton.

WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND 2003

These men and women contribute countless volunteer hours in service to the programs of the WCB. Their dedication is greatly appreciated.

Janis Atkins, Janesville; Jerry Bever, Madison; Kathleen Brockman, Milwaukee, (not pictured); Dot Coakley, Menasha; Virginia DeBlaey, Milwaukee; Nona Graves, West Allis; Scott Hegle, Waukesha; Kathleen Hudziak, Janesville; Bob Hueller, Sheboygan; Richard Johnson, Janesville; Bruce Parkinson, Two Rivers; Paul Schroeder, Milwaukee; Patty Slaby, River Falls; Rhonda Staats, LaCrosse; Arnold Tucker, Park Falls; Richard Waldburger, Beaver Dam; Rebecca Williams, Milwaukee; Dean Winger, Madison; Chris Zenchenko, Evansville. Also pictured is Dick Pomo, Executive Director, WCB.

2003 CAPACITY CAMPAIGN

History. Mission. Vision. Nowhere do these three words have more significance than our report to you on the campaign to expand the capacity of our programs and services. As we start on the 51st year of service, we enter the third of a five-year campaign to raise money to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Our history teaches us that good programs and services are very effective in improving individual lives. Our mission strongly underscores this history, and our vision is to raise $3 million in this effort. We have a long road to travel in meeting this goal.

One of our goals is to assist blind and visually impaired residents of Wisconsin to obtain independence and self-sufficiency through the following nine program areas.

1. Assistive Devices
2. Adjustment Skills
3. Technology Center and Related Programs
4. Wisconsin Braille Education and Preservation Project
5. WCB Resource Center and Historical Archives
6. Information and Referral Services
7. Volunteers in Action
8. Education, Advocacy and Outreach Programs
9. Public Affairs and Philanthropy

For additional information about any or all of these programs please contact the Council office.

To date we have received over $300,000 in gifts and pledges. These gifts are helping us in so many ways to reach out and continue to provide quality services and programs. Your personal help and support will be greatly appreciated. We are looking for volunteers to help us in our gift seeking effort. We have many events and projects planned for 2004. Please take a few moments to consider how you can participate and give us a call. We know you share and believe in our mission.

HISTORY MISSION VISION

Dedication and Service

THE WISCONSIN LIONS CLUBS

Thank you! From Beloit to Superior, from Eau Claire to Kenosha, Wisconsin Lions have responded to our assistive devices partnership program. The generosity of Wisconsin Lions has made 2003 a record year for contributions to this program. Their gifts, combined with funds from our endowment fund, enable us to continue to present our assistive devices and technology program to Wisconsin residents who are blind or visually impaired.

We dedicate this page of the Annual Report in appreciation of all the Lions and Lionesses in our great state.

BUILDING ON THE COMMUNITY'S ASSETS

2003 Lions Clubs participating in our Assistive Devices Partnership program:

• Brillion Lions Club
• Beloit Noon Lions
• Eau Claire/Seymour Lions Club
• Eldorado Lions Club
• Francis Creek Lions Club
• Grand Chute Lions Club
• Hancock Lions Club
• Lomira Lions Club
• McCaslin Lioness Club
• McFarland Lions Club
• New Glarus Lions Club
• Newton Lions Club
• Northwoods Lions Club
• Oconto Lions Club
• Oregon Lioness Club
• Packwaukee Lions Club
• Portage Lions Club
• Richland Center Lions Club
• Ripon Lions Club
• Sheboygan Noon Lions Club
• Sun Prairie Lions Club
• Verona Lions Club
• Waukesha Evening Lions Club
• West Bend Lioness Club
• West Grant Lioness Club
• Wild Rose Lions Club

Thank you.

A heartfelt thank you to every contributor

Without the private funds contributed from individuals, businesses and foundations, more than 5,000 blind or visually impaired people would have gone without basic information or assistance in some form from the Wisconsin Council of the Blind.
A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer.

Without the countless volunteer hours of so many friends and supporters, our program delivery and public information messages would not be as effective.

Thank you for thinking of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and caring about the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired.
WCB Staff:

Richard Pomo, Executive Director
David Ballmann
Susan Barker
Marshall Flax
Gary R. Goyke
Betsy Gruba
Jeff Levake
Deda Oatsvall
Brent Perzentka
Ann Schroeder

Auditors
Suby Von Haden & Associates SC

Investments
M&I Trust & Investment

Legal Counsel
Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field SC
Voss, Erbach & Voss SC

Wisconsin Council of the Blind
754 Williamson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
608-255-1166
800-783-5213
Fax/TDD 608-255-3301
www.wcblind.org

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.This annual report is also available in braille and on audiotape.