Executive View
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Don McKenzie, Chair
This year has seen many long-awaited changes come to fruition, with the final steps to self-governance being taken. As with all endings, a new beginning emerges. The challenge now is to continue building a Foundation that equips blind and vision-impaired people to take charge of their own lives.
The new board has met four times and begun to coalesce as a team. When meeting in Wellington to finalise the draft of the Strategic Plan for 2004-2007, we attended an Association of Blind Citizens' conference. Called "Celebrating the Foundation of the Blind" it was a wonderful opportunity for us all to hear more about the Foundation's 113-year history. We cannot build a sound future without looking to the past - its lessons, its achievements and failures. There are many possible futures that the Foundation could create for itself. It's up to each and every member to participate in that ongoing creation.
We were delighted to receive 63 submissions from individuals and organisations on the Strategic Issues paper. Each and every one of these submissions was independently assessed.
A summary was presented to the board at the Wellington meeting in early October. The opinions and desires expressed were as diverse as the respondents but an overwhelming number felt that the Foundation's most important mission is to promote participation of blind and vision-impaired people in all aspects of life.
The final Strategic Plan for 2004-2007 is about to be adopted and should be available in January 2004. The consultation process has been both a learning curve and a success, which we are determined to build on in the coming years. Next year board meetings will take place in February in Christchurch, April in Auckland and then Dunedin in June. Please come along and observe.
The board has also begun the process of appointing a chief executive. Paula Daye, acting CEO, has been tireless and dedicated throughout this momentous year. I heartily thank her, and all those who have participated in the new governance processes. Have a safe and joyful festive season.
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Paula Daye, Acting CEO
Historians visiting the Foundation's archives in years to come will certainly identify 2003 as a time of dynamic and exciting change for us! During October and November, I attended 32 meetings around the country to hear views on the draft Strategic Plan, the General Meeting of Members and the Consumer Consortium in Auckland. The opportunity to meet face-to-face with so many members generated open debate and discussion. I also appreciated the attendance of board members at these local meetings. I am delighted that the Strategic Plan for the next three years is almost finalised. There are a great many inspiring projects to be developed within this guiding framework. They include the Children's Service, digital talking books, the cost of blindness study and increased access to information through adaptive technology and TIS. We head into 2004 in good shape, with a small financial surplus. Given the deficits of the past two financial years this result is pleasing and congratulations must go to the Fundraising division for their excellent efforts.
Guide Dog Services had much to celebrate this year also, with its 30th anniversary. The service it offers to blind New Zealanders, and internationally, is unique and a source of great pride. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors, without whom the service would not exist.
Concerns have been expressed about the length of waiting lists for some of our services. They concern us too. Generally speaking, waiting lists are a result of staff vacancies. Many of the services we offer are extremely specialised and we often have to recruit from overseas, or train cadets, which is limited by supervision requirements. We are endeavouring to replace staff as quickly as possible. Finally, I would like to thank the community committees who have volunteered time to support our members in their local communities. We are looking forward to developing these committees in the future. The strengthening of partnerships with our consumer organisations is also of importance. I am personally committed to working effectively together on issues of mutual concern. May we all share in a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.