Consumer Advisory Team
Purpose
To provide an organized communications exchange between the Leader Dog (LDB) Team and LDB alumni. To function as a source of alumni continuous improvement feedback on LDB programs, services, and objectives.
Aims and Objectives
- Affirms and supports the mission of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
- Functions as a source of current and emerging needs and expectations of independence in the blind and visually impaired community.
- Provides feedback on LDB programmatic objectives and outcomes.
- Contributes opinions and suggestions on current and emerging LDB programs, services, techniques, equipment, etc.
- Acts as a value-added resource of LDB alumni who are utilizing LDB programs and training as part of their daily activities. Not intended to function as a “decision making” body.
- Assists LDB with product testing.
Relationships
Functions through the Director of Program Services who will serve as the CAT liaison.
CAT Specifications
- The CAT will consist of nine members appointed to three year terms each. These terms will rotate such that three members retire and are replaced annually. No CAT member shall serve two consecutive terms.
- An LDB Alumni may express interest in serving on the CAT by submitting a resume to the LDB Team CAT liaison. The resume shall demonstrate skill/competency in teamwork, communication, task completion, (reference attached CAT Member Description)
- Member selection will be made by the CAT Membership Committee consisting of the Director of Program Services the designated Program Service managers and the three CAT members who are then serving their third year.
- In the event a CAT vacancy occurs resulting in an unexpired term of more than 12 months, the Director of Program Services and the designated Program Service managers shall appoint an appropriately qualified person to complete the unexpired term. If the unexpired term is for less than 12 months, the Director and the designated Program Service managers may, at their sole discretion, appoint an appropriately qualified person to complete the term. A person who completes any unexpired term of more than 18 months shall be considered to have served a full term, and will not be eligible for appointment to the CAT for one year following the conclusion of the appointment.
- The work of the CAT will be accomplished primarily through teleconferencing and email communication. There will be at least one quarterly teleconference of the CAT to be scheduled by the CAT Liaison.
- Assignments to and responses from, the CAT will be coordinated through the CAT liaison.