The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is a private, non-for-profit agency. Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of the people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public. WCB&VI is funded through an annual drive, private grants and bequests.
Incorporated under laws of the State of Wisconsin in October 1952, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind (now known as The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired) is comprised of nineteen volunteer delegates. Eleven are appointed by five organizations representing people who are blind and eight are delegates-at-large, elected by people who are blind throughout the state. The Council is a strong voice for people who are blind or visually impaired in Wisconsin, representing their interests to the legislature. Many laws benefiting blind persons exist because the Council promoted their passage.
Our latest Annual Report is available for downloading (PDF format 2MB file size) at this link.
You can watch a video about The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired here:
The council consists of the following members:
- Kathleen Brockman, Milwaukee
- Mark Carris, Fond du Lac
- Neil M. Ford, Lodi
- Nona Graves, Milwaukee
- Karen Heesen, Janesville
- Steve Heesen, West Allis
- Kathy Kent, Milwaukee
- Kathleen Lueders, Milwaukee
- Kay Malmquist, Janesville
- Jenny Massey, Madison
- Bruce Parkinson, Two Rivers
- Dan Sippl, Eau Claire
- Rhonda Staats, La Crosse
- Gary M. Traynor, Eau Claire
- Arnold Tucker, Park Falls
- Ed Weiss, Waukesha
- Becky Williams, Milwaukee
- Patty Zallar, Madson
- Chris Zenchenko, Evansville
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of the following council members:
- Chris Zenchenko, President
- Rhonda Staats, Vice-President
- Arnold Tucker, Treasurer
- Nona Graves, Secretary
- Bruce Parkinson
- Kathy Lueders
Committees
Much of the business of the Council is conducted by committees. The Council is organized into the following committees:
Awards Committee
Members of the Awards Committee choose recipients, as well as presenters, and plan a special Awards banquet. They assist in choosing a location and menu, and, in cooperation with the Scholarship Committee, plan the evening’s program.
Although the Awards Committee may choose to present special awards, two awards are almost always given.
- An Employer of the Year award given to organizations who encourage employment of people who are blind or visually impaired.
- The Louis Seidita Distinguished Service Award which is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Current members of the Awards Committee are: Ed Weiss (Chair), Kathy Kent, Neil Ford, Scott Hegle, Karen Majkrzak, Kathi Koegle, Kathy Lueders, Steve Heesen
Community Education and Awareness Committee
Current members of the Community Education and Awareness Committee are: Nona Graves (Chair), Kathy Brockman, Neil Ford, Kathi Koegle, Karen Majkrzak, Bruce Parkinson, Dan Sippl, Gary Traynor, Arnold Tucker, Patty Zallar, Becky Williams, Jenny Massey.
Finance/Development Committee
Current members of the Finance and Development Committee are: Arnold Tucker (Chair), Karen Majkrzak, Deda Oatsvall, Chris Zenchenko, Kathy Brockman, Neil Ford.
Legislative Committee
Legislative advocacy has been a cornerstone of the Council’s mission since its founding in 1952. The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired Legislative Committee advocates for Wisconsin citizens who are blind/visually impaired on issues involving local, state and federal rules, regulations, initiatives, policies and legislative proposals. Through its Legislative Committee, WCB&VI is a strong proponent of legislative initiatives whose purpose is to promote the dignity and independence of Wisconsin citizens who are blind/visually impaired. Membership in this committee is open to current and former Council members, as well as friends of the Council interested in furthering our legislative goals. The Committee takes the leadership role in the organization of WCB&VI’s Annual Legislative Day, and its members participate in building relationships with key legislative personnel, attend meetings, testify at public hearings, and whatever else needs to be done to promote issues important to our legislative agenda.
Current members of the Legislative Committee are: Rhonda Staats (Chair) Neil Ford, Karen Heesen, Richard Johnson, Katherine Schneider, Dan Sippl, Gary Traynor, Ed Weiss, Patty Zallar, Bruce Parkinson, Kathleen Lueders, Vic Evenson and Gary Goyke (Legislative Liaison).
Newsletter Committee
The Newsletter Committee creates and edits the Council Courier which is published three times a year. At its planning meetings, the committee discusses ideas for articles and identifies potential writers. The committee selects topics that will inform readers of Council programs, events, advocacy efforts, and activities as well as offer information about vision health. The Courier is available in braille, large-print, CD and e-mail formats. There is no charge for this publication.
Newsletter Committee members: Becky Williams (Chair), Nona Graves, Kathy Brockman (Proofreader), Kathi Koegle, Bruce Parkinson, Karen Perzentka (Proofreader), Rhonda Staats, Chris Zenchenko, Kathy Lueders, Ed Weiss.
Personnel Committee
Current members of the Personnel Committee are: Chris Zenchenko (Chair), Kathy Brockman, Arnold Tucker
Recreation Committee
Current members of the Recreation Committee are: Gary Traynor (Chair), Judith Rasmussen, Kathy Hudziak, Chris Zenchenko, Rhonda Staats, Kay Malmquist, Patty Zallar.
Scholarship Committee
Current members of the Scholarship Committee are: Kay Malmquist (Chair), Becky Williams, Karen Heesen, Ed Weiss, Karen Majkrzak, Ray Cubberly.
Sharper Vision Store Committee
Current members of the Sharper Vision Store Committee are: Steve Heesen (Chair), Brent Perzentka, Betsy Gruba, Dan Sippl, Gary Traynor, Arnold Tucker, Neil Ford.