Accessible Prescription Labeling (APL):
Malaina VanderWal, Chair
Email: mvanderwal78@gmail.com
Phone: 616-308-9644
This committee exists to educate those who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, and their families about available options to safely identify prescriptions. We strive to empower individuals and family members to become self-advocates with pharmacies that already provide audio, large print, or braille labels, and with those that do not.
Bylaws:
Rebecca Kooistra, Chair
Email: rkoois169@gmail.com
Phone: 616-897-3077
The purpose of this committee is to review and/or change the Bylaws as mandated, or deemed necessary.
Convention:
Kristen Kelling, Chair
Email: kkelling92@gmail.com
Phone: 616-340-8762
This committee plans annual state conventions, which includes such tasks as determining site, theme, program, exhibits, and other related arrangements.
Fundraising:
Joe Todd, Chair
Email: joet1226@gmail.com
Phone: 616-951-2142
The Fundraising Committee’s fundamental purpose is to acquire revenue for the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI). To this end, the committee explores different projects that will increase MCBVI funds which can be used to meet expenses and to fund ventures to forward our goals to support persons who are blind or visually impaired to pursue independent and fulfilling lives. Some of the projects we have pursued in the past are the MCBVI auction, gathering of sponsorships for our annual state convention, and sponsors for the MCBVI website. The committee welcomes all suggestions to help meet these goals.
Legislative:
Lindsey LaVere, Chair
Email: Lindsey.LaVere@gmail.com
Phone: 810-488-9795
This committee coordinates the legislative activities of the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI). It is our goal to educate, inform, and advocate regarding programs and legislation that will affect the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.
Membership
Kristen Kelling, Chair
Email: kkelling92@gmail.com
Phone: 616-340-8762
The mission of the Membership Committee is to recruit, retain, and renew relationships.
This is accomplished through communications, resources, education, advocacy, outreach, continued resolutions, and community events.
Nominations
Deb Robinson, Chair
Email: drobinson5271@gmail.com
Phone (Home): 616-235-8189
Phone (Cell): 616-915-5520
The goal of the Nominations Committee is to work hard to get people interested in serving, and becoming involved in our organization.
Publications:
Malaina VanderWal, Co-editor
Email: mvanderwal78@gmail.com
Phone: 616-308-9644
The co-editors work on editing and formatting newsletter submissions to get ready for publication. Currently the MCBVI News is available by email and via the NFB Newsline service.
Resolutions:
Merisa Musemic, Chair
Email: Merisa.musemic@gmail.com
Phone (Cell): 586-899-8428
Members of the MCBVI Resolutions Committee work together to brainstorm and compose resolutions. These resolutions are then presented to the MCBVI membership for approval during the annual state convention.
The purpose of the resolutions is twofold. First, resolutions may be written to express gratitude to various entities for providing assistance, as well as services to MCBVI and its members. Secondly, resolutions may also be written in order to advocate for the rights of individuals who are blind and visually impaired.
Technology:
Jackie Boomstra, Chair
Email: jackieboomstra@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 616-455-6069
The MCBVI Technology Committee exists to share ideas and information about technology with MCBVI members, emphasizing access technology. The committee offers workshops and training on topics of interest to members. Training can be done on an individual basis, in person at State conventions, or via conferencing and Zoom platforms.