As we approach the end of 2024, I am honored to wish our BVA members, their family members, and our loyal friends a joyful holiday season. My hope is for you to experience an outpouring of the best this special time of year has to offer.

I also wish to share some of my own reflections on the progress of the Blinded Veterans Association during the calendar year 2024. Many things have occurred that, in my opinion, constitute improvements to the organization and prepare us for the future. Here are a few of the most significant changes in 2024:

• Joining BVA is now free of charge to blind and low vision veterans, based on positive proof of the concept via a pilot program begun in 2023. The result of the free membership is more than 300 new members in 2024.
• The majority of BVA regional groups are operating according to bylaws, which in turn conform with the national bylaws as revised in 2022.
• The regional groups have completed the necessary filings to comply with Internal Revenue Source and state requirements that qualify them as not-for-profit corporations.
• Increased transparency by the Board of Directors, an example being the posting of Board meeting minutes on the BVA website.
• Increased efforts to enhance communication among the different levels of the organization, i.e. National Board of Directors, National Headquarters Staff, and BVA Members.
• Effective congressional advocacy on Capitol Hill, resulting in the passage of legislation and other successes relating to the establishment and promotion of rights, benefits, and services for blind and low vision veterans and their families.

As 2025 begins appearing on our calendars, we will take off running! Please don’t forget to join us for our first virtual Board Town Hall and Educational Session of the year at 3:00pm Eastern Time on Thursday, January 2, 2025. We will announce during the Town Hall the new BVA digital membership and identification cards. For a Zoom link to the meeting, please refer to the Upcoming Events section of this edition of BVA Happenings or visit the BVA online calendar.

Behind the scenes and at the outset of the year, we will develop the details for the new election system. Because this year brings the elections of all National Officers and two of the four District Directors, we will be able to put the details into action almost immediately.

Last but certainly not least, be on the lookout for information about our BVA 80th National Convention in Dallas, Texas, in early July. Those details will be available soon.