[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 34302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15350]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Advisory
Committee on Women Veterans
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations
of qualified candidates to be considered for membership on the Advisory
Committee on Women Veterans (``the Committee'') for the 2018 membership
cycle.
DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by
August 15, 2018, no later than 4:00 p.m., eastern standard time.
Packages received after this time will not be considered for the
current membership cycle.
ADDRESSES: All nomination packages should be sent to the Advisory
Committee Management Office by email (recommended) or mail. Please see
contact information below.
Advisory Committee Management Office (00AC), Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20420,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In carrying out the duties set forth, the
Committee responsibilities include, but are not limited to provides a
Congressionally-mandated report to the Secretary each even-numbered
year, which includes:
(1) An assessment of the needs of women Veterans with respect to
compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits
and programs administered by VA;
(2) A review of the programs and activities of VA designed to meet
such needs; and
(3) Proposing recommendation (including recommendations for
administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers
appropriate. The Committee reports to the Secretary, through the
Director of the Center for Women Veterans.
Authority: The Committee is authorized by 38 U.S.C. Sec. 542,
to provide advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary)
on: The administration of VA's benefits and services (health care,
rehabilitation benefits, compensation, outreach, and other relevant
programs) for women Veterans; reports and studies pertaining to
women Veterans; and the needs of women Veterans. In accordance with
the Statute and the Committee's current charter, the majority of the
membership shall consist of non-Federal employees appointed by the
Secretary from the general public, serving as special government
employees.
The Secretary appoints Committee members, and determines the length
of terms in which Committee members serve. A term of service for any
member may not exceed 3 years. However, the Secretary can reappoint
members for additional terms. Each year, there are several vacancies on
the Committee, as members' terms expire.
Membership Criteria: The Committee is currently comprised of 12
members. By statute, the Committee consists of members appointed by the
Secretary from the general public, including: representatives of women
Veterans; individuals who are recognized authorities in fields
pertinent to the needs of women Veterans, including the gender specific
health-care needs of women; representatives of both female and male
Veterans with service-connected disabilities, including at least one
female Veteran with a service-connected disability and at least one
male Veteran with a service-connected disability; and women Veterans
who are recently separated from service in the Armed Forces.
The Committee meets at least two times annually, which may include
a site visit to a VA field location. In accordance with Federal Travel
Regulation, VA will cover travel expenses--to include per diem--for all
members of the Committee, for any travel associated with official
Committee duties. A copy of the Committee's most recent charter and a
list of the current membership can be found at www.va.gov/ADVISORY/ or
www.va.gov/womenvet/. Self-nominations are acceptable. Any letters of
nomination from organizations or other individuals should accompany the
package when it is submitted. Non-Veterans are also eligible for
nomination.
In accordance with recently revised guidance regarding the ban on
lobbyists serving as members of advisory boards and commissions,
Federally-registered lobbyists are prohibited from serving on Federal
advisory committees in an individual capacity. Additional information
regarding this issue can be found at www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/revised-guidance-on-appointment-of-lobbyists-to-federal-advisory-committees-boards-and-commissions.
Requirements for Nomination Submission
Nomination packages must be typed (12 point font) and include: (1)
A cover letter from the nominee, and (2) a current resume that is no
more than four pages in length. The cover letter must summarize: the
nominees' interest in serving on the committee and contributions she/he
can make to the work of the committee; any relevant Veterans service
activities she/he is currently engaged in; the military branch
affiliation and timeframe of military service (if applicable). To
promote inclusion and demographic balance of membership, please include
as much information related to your race, national origin, disability
status, or any other factors that may give you a diverse perspective on
women Veterans matters. Finally, please include in the cover letter the
nominee's complete contact information (name, address, email address,
and phone number); and a statement confirming that she/he is not a
Federally-registered lobbyist. The resume should show professional work
experience, and Veterans service involvement, especially service that
involves women Veterans' issues.
The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of
its advisory committees is fairly balanced, in terms of points of view
represented. In the review process, consideration is given to nominees'
potential to address the Committee's demographic needs (regional
representation, race/ethnicity representation, professional expertise,
war era service, gender, former enlisted or officer status, branch of
service, etc.). Other considerations to promote a balanced membership
include longevity of military service, significant deployment
experience, ability to handle complex issues, experience running large
organizations, and ability to contribute to the gender-specific health
care and benefits needs of women Veterans.
Dated: July 13, 2018.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-15350 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
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