[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46387-46388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19045]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; 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 nominees to 
be considered for membership on the Advisory Committee on Women 
Veterans (Committee) for the 2015 membership cycle. The Committee is 
authorized by 38 U.S.C. 542 (the statute), 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. 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 Committee provides a 
Congressionally-mandated report to the Secretary each even-numbered 
year, which includes: An assessment of the needs of women Veterans, 
with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, 
and other benefits and programs administered by VA; a review of the 
programs and activities of VA designed to meet such needs; and other 
recommendations (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.
    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. The Secretary can reappoint members for 
additional terms. Each year, there are several vacancies on the 
Committee, as members' terms expire.
    Self-nominations and nominations of non-Veterans are accepted. Any 
letters of nomination from organizations or other individuals should 
accompany the package when it is submitted.
    In accordance with OMB guidance, federally registered lobbyists may 
not serve on Federal advisory committees in their 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee is currently comprised of 12 
members. In accordance with the 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/.
    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.

Nomination Package Requirements

    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 a balanced membership, please provide information about your 
personal and professional qualifications and background that would 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.
    Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by 
August 31, 2015, no later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. 
Packages received after this time will not be considered for the 
current membership cycle. 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].


[[Page 46388]]


    Dated: July 30, 2015.
Jelessa Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-19045 Filed 8-3-15; 8:45 am]
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