after our Roll call, we get started.
Paul Mimms is the president of the blinded veterans Association. A member for 38 years. He is currently retired after a career as a counselor serving blinded veterans in the VA system. He briefly talks about the transparency he brings to his leadership at the BVA. He also lists a few of the areas where he provides guidance for the chair people who oversee them, including sports, spiritual outreach, service dogs and more.
The convention that is planned for later in the year is described. It will run in conjunction with this year’s ACB convention. Events and awards that are anticipated are talked about. There will be a hospitality room hosted by the Florida regional BVA chapter.
Ray Morales asked Paul to share about his recent presentation on the floor of Congress on March 6, 2024. He mentions a few of the people he was fortunate enough to meet as he waited for his turn to speak. He expressed his desire to have equal access for blinded veterans at VA facilities. He advocated for determining and establishing services for women veterans, the fastest-growing segment of veterans.
He also described the frustrations and hindrances of comfort dogs compared the service dogs for the blind. The main problem is the inequality of training. Paul shares an instance where a Pitbull that was a comfort dog had attacked the service animal for blinded that. The result is that the guy dog ended up dying from the attack.
Paul also brings up the lack of quality mental health care for veterans. One constant ordeal that veterans confront is depression over their disability, PTSD or anxiety conditions. Paul also is advocating for better pay for disabled vets who are retired. He also expresses the ways how the VIST coordinators are overworked, and not able to provide veterans with services they need.
Ray opens the floor for the veteran participants to ask questions. Questions include:
The matter of having a vacancy for the BVA chaplain. The vacancy is only at the main office. Local chapters still have their chaplains, and chapters me recommend someone for the vacancy.
In addition to the transparency practices Paul mentioned, a question about finances and job openings is raised the concern is related, in part to the upcoming budget for the convention. Paul outlines the organizational structure of the board and staff. In doing so, he lays out how the authorities of the positions work, and who has to hiring authority. Paul describes how the system of checks and balances works within the BVA.
A matter of programs to get veterans active, and now the other houses is raised. Paul talks about various recreational activities, some of which are not sponsored by the BVA but outside organizations.
Another question arises over the role of the person in charge, and who holds authority to hire and fire.
David King wraps up the discussion with a word of thanks for having Paul Mimms be our presenter for the evening. The topic for next month is announced, as well as ways to contact our organization.
Paul promotes Blind Vet Tech, a support group of the BVA. To sign up for email alerts for the next meeting, send an email to: bva@bva.org
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