During the first Low Vision Committee phone conference of the new year, we took some time to review what we had accomplished in 2009 and discussed our main goals for 2010. Our main project for the previous year was putting together a Low Vision Expo, which was held at last year's Pennsylvania Council of the Blind State Convention in Tannersville. One important goal we have established for this year is looking to implement strategies for reaching out to chapters who would like to conduct a Low Vision Expo of their own, as the Golden Triangle Council of the Blind did on October 17th. of last year in Pittsburgh.

There are several factors to be taken into consideration when making plans for presenting a Low Vision program for which we do not have space here on which to elaborate. However, in brief, here are the major areas you will need to take into account:

1. Begin by setting up a Low Vision Program Committee.
2. Determine what topics are to be covered.
3. Establish a date and secure a location for your program.
4. Decide who the presenters will be and what components of the subjects each presenter will cover.
5. Plan by what means you will publicize your event and decide what materials you will need to prepare to distribute as handouts.

If your chapter can put into action these areas of consideration, you will be well on your way toward holding a successful Low Vision program in your community. You will not only have contributed valuable information and awareness of low vision issues in your local area, but you will have also gained positive publicity for your chapter. We encourage any chapter of the PCB who is interested in holding a low vision program to contact the Low Vision Committee if you would like help in getting started.

The members of the Low Vision Committee are: Co-chairs--Sarita Holliday and Ed Facemyer; Edward Hersh, Lynne Maleeff, Elida Gares, Debbie Rozear and Jerry Weinger. We look forward to hearing from you.