[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29361-29362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11452]


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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 2021 membership 
cycle.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by 
June 30, 2021, 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 at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In carrying out the duties set forth, the 
Committee 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 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.
    Authority: The Committee is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 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 three (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 Veterans; 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. Non-
Veterans are also eligible for nomination.
    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/.
    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 
nominee's 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; and 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, minority Veteran status, or any other factors that may give you 
a diverse perspective on women Veterans matters. Finally, the cover 
letter must include 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 and/or work experience and Veterans' service 
involvement--especially service that involves women Veterans' issues.
    Self-nominations are acceptable. Any letters of nomination from 
organizations or other individuals must accompany the package when it 
is submitted. Letters of nomination submitted without a complete 
nomination package will not be considered. If you are submitting a

[[Page 29362]]

package on behalf of an individual, it must include all of the required 
components and complete contact information. Do not submit a package 
without the nominee's consent or awareness.
    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/minority representation, professional 
expertise, war era service, gender, former enlisted or officer status, 
branch of service, for example). 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: May 26, 2021.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Office.
[FR Doc. 2021-11452 Filed 5-28-21; 8:45 am]
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