[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 9731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3729]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public 
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the annual meeting of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) National 
Advisory Committee (NAC) will be held March 14-16, 2012, at the 
Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, South 
Carolina. On March 14, the meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 
11:30 a.m. On March 15-16, the meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end 
at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
    The Committee, comprised of fifty-five national voluntary 
organizations, advises the Secretary, through the Under Secretary for 
Health, on the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities 
within VA facilities. The purposes of this meeting are to provide for 
Committee review of volunteer policies and procedures; to accommodate 
full and open communications between organization representatives and 
the Voluntary Service Office and field staff; to provide educational 
opportunities geared towards improving volunteer programs with special 
emphasis on methods to recruit, retain, place, motivate, and recognize 
volunteers; and to provide Committee recommendations.
    The March 14 session will include a National Executive Committee 
Meeting; Health Fair; and VAVS Representative and Deputy Representative 
training. In the evening, the James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship 
recipient will be honored at the Parke Awards Dinner (requires 
prepayment).
    The March 15 business session will include remarks from local 
officials; the Voluntary Service Report; Veterans Health Administration 
Update; and remarks by VA officials on the National Cemetery 
Administration, VA National Sports Programs and Special Events; and 
insight from a former chief of voluntary service who is now a facility 
director. Educational workshops will be held in the afternoon and focus 
on Veterans family advisor program, concierge service, skill-based 
volunteer managed therapeutic activities, and ICARE customer service.
    On March 16, the morning business session will include subcommittee 
reports; remarks on women Veterans health care; a panel discussion on 
Veterans transportation; and an update from the Director of the 
Veterans Canteen Service. The educational workshops will be repeated in 
the afternoon. The meeting will conclude with a Closing Awards Dinner 
(requires prepayment) recognizing the recipients of the American Spirit 
Awards, VAVS Award for Excellence, and the NAC male and female 
Volunteer of the Year awards.
    No time will be allocated at this meeting for receiving oral 
presentations from the public. However, the public may submit written 
statements for the Committee's review to Ms. Laura Balun, Designated 
Federal Officer, Voluntary Service Office (10B2A), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, or by 
email at [email protected]. Any member of the public wishing to attend 
the meeting or seeking additional information should contact Ms. Balun 
at (202) 461-7300.

    By Direction of the Secretary.

    Dated: February 13, 2012.
Vivian Drake,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-3729 Filed 2-16-12; 8:45 am]
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