Who We Are

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 videos about The Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired here:

The board of directors consists of the following members:

  • Kathleen Brockman, Milwaukee
  • Neil M. Ford, Lodi
  • Nona Graves, Milwaukee
  • Jo Grove, Evansville
  • Steve Heesen, West Allis
  • Tom Jeray, Madison
  • Richard Johnson, Janesville
  • Steve Johnson, La Crosse
  • Kathleen Lueders, Milwaukee
  • Kay Malmquist, Janesville
  • Jenny Massey, Madison
  • Bruce Parkinson, Two Rivers
  • Dan Sippl, Eau Claire
  • Rhonda Staats, La Crosse
  • Arnold Tucker, Park Falls
  • Robert Wiederhold, Baraboo
  • Patty Zallar, Madson
  • Chris Zenchenko, Evansville

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of the following council members:

  • Chris Zenchenko, President
  • Rhonda Staats, Vice-President
  • Arnold Tucker, Treasurer
  • Jenny Massey, Secretary
  • Kathy Lueders
  • Jo Grove
  • Kay Malmquist
  • Nona Graves
  • Loretta Himmelsbach, staff

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: Arnold Tucker (Chair), Kathy Lueders, Neil Ford, Bob Wiederhold and Richard Johnson.

Finance/Development Committee

Current members of the Finance and Development Committee are: Arnold Tucker (Chair),  Chris Zenchenko, Kathy Brockman, Bob Wiederhold, Loretta Himmelsbach, and Deda Oatsvall, staff.

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, Richard Johnson, Dan Sippl, Bob Wiederhold, Patty Zallar, Bruce Parkinson, Kathleen Lueders, Loretta Himmelsbach (staff), 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: Nona Graves (Chair),  Bruce Parkinson, Rhonda Staats,  Kathy Lueders, and Kathi Koegle (staff).

Personnel Committee

Current members of the Personnel Committee are: Chris Zenchenko (Chair), Nona Graves, Arnold Tucker

Recreation Committee

Current members of the Recreation Committee are: Bob Wiederhold, Tom Jeray, Kay Malmquist, Patty Zallar, Dennis Marquardt and Judith Rasmussen (staff).  Committee chair to be determined.

Scholarship Committee

Current members of the Scholarship Committee are: Kay Malmquist (Chair),  Loretta Himmelsbach and Ray Cubberly (staff).

Sharper Vision Store Committee

Current members of the Sharper Vision Store Committee are: Neil Ford (Chair),  Dan Sippl,  Arnold Tucker, Steve Heesen, Bob Wiederhold, Brent Perzentka and Barbara Weiss (staff).