[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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