[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26240-26241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11635]


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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 2017 membership cycle. The Committee is 
authorized by 38 U.S.C. 542 (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; 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 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. However, the Secretary can reappoint 
members for additional terms. Each year, there are several vacancies on 
the Committee, as members' terms expire.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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/.
    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

[[Page 26241]]

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 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.
    Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by 
June 30, 2017, 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].

    Dated: June 1, 2017.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-11635 Filed 6-5-17; 8:45 am]
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