Chapter Governance & Guide

OUR CHAPTER MISSION: As Volunteers, fund-raising efforts are our combined GOAL, and together we are working to benefit Guide Dogs of America - our sole MISSION toward this effort. The Connecticut, Rhode Island & Western Massachusetts Chapter joins Guide Dogs of America which is dedicated to its mission to provide guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada so that they may continue to pursue their goals with increased mobility and independence.

ADOPTING THE GDA VISION: Like most successful organizations, Guide Dogs of America depends on the talents and aspirations of many dedicated individuals. In this case, these individuals include the GDA board of directors, staff, puppy raisers, volunteers, donors and the visually impaired men and women that are served. But to assure its success, GDA must also include the dozens of remarkable puppies they breed and raise with the purpose of becoming guide dogs.

While many of us know the pleasure of canine companionship and loyalty from our family pet, we cannot appreciate the complexity of the relationship that develops between a visually impaired person and his or her guide dog. Because GDA understands so well the critical interdependence between the user and the dog, its staff is especially adept at grasping and appreciating the unique personalities and attributes of each dog and each visually impaired person to make a good match. GDA are expert at incorporating the circumstances surrounding the lifestyle of each visually impaired person when developing its training programs.

It is this Chapter’s intent to enjoy our voluntary work and take satisfaction and be grateful for the generous and thoughtful support we will receive from the Chapter’s fund-raising endeavors that make it possible for us to help GDA to change the lives of so many visually impaired men and women.

       Oversight and Direction

All voluntary efforts and actions of said Chapter has been granted the coordinated oversight and direction of the IAMAW, AFL/CIO Eastern Territory Vice President and or his/her designee, who will serve as Chapter Coordinator, and who will, from time to time, determine the necessity for any amendments, modifications, or changes to the current written Governance and Guide. Any proposed actions of this document by the Steering Committee must be voted in favor of, by the majority of said Committee, and submitted in writing to the Chapter Coordinator, who may take said matter up with the Vice President, who will decide any need for change(s) to the existing document. All activity of said Chapter shall conform to all standards and practices established by Guide Dogs of America.

As the startup year for the newly reformulated chapter, 2004 served this voluntary effort with many challenges and opportunities to ‘GROW’ and ‘EXPAND’ the fund raising efforts of this newly formed Chapter.

Here in Connecticut volunteers have, in past years, been engaged in successful fund raising and have developed a ‘seasoned’ knowledge of this worthy cause. With such continued assistance this new Chapter has taken on the task of setting new Goals and determining how to establish and expand its combined energies throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Western Massachusetts.

Steering Committee meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at 1 pm, at the District Lodge 26 offices, 365 New Britain Road, Kensington, Ct. 06037.

As key members of the Chapter Steering Committee, committee members are working to engage in future fund raising efforts, establish Chapter standards and to determine and prioritize the direction of the Chapter. Toward this effort Guide Dogs of America President Jay Bormann attended our January 2004 meeting and lent his wise counsel toward the coming challenges. And, as Jay reflects: ‘… No doubt about it, the miracles of the puppy births, the training of GDA intelligent dogs, and the pairing of these guides with blind men and women who want to live more independently would come to a halt without each and every volunteer.’

We here in this Chapter join in an overall effort to work toward enhancing the funding base of this worthy charity.