07-617. Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

The Department of Veterans Affairs 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 May 2-5, 2007, at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 Penn Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The meeting is open to the public, and the sessions are scheduled as follows:

May 2: 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

May 3 and 4: 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

May 5: 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., with a closing program at 6 p.m.

The Committee, comprised of sixty-three national voluntary organizations, with five membership categories (Service Member, Associate Service Member, Donor Member, Associate Donor Member and Adjunct Member), advises the Secretary, through the Under Secretary for Health, on the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities. The primary 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, motivate and recognize volunteers; and to approve committee recommendations.

The May 2 session will involve opening ceremonies and remarks by several VA and local officials. The May 3 session will feature a Voluntary Service Report, and recognition of the recipients of the VAVS Award for Excellence and NAC Volunteers of the Year. In addition, the James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship Luncheon will be held to honor an outstanding youth volunteer. The following educational workshops are scheduled: Volunteer Assignments in the 21st century, Pet Therapy, and Advanced Clinical Access.

On May 4, the business session will include subcommittee reports. This session will be followed by a repeat of the educational workshops. The May 5 session will include closing remarks from the Chairman, followed that evening by the Volunteer Recognition Dinner.

No time will be allocated at this meeting for receiving oral presentations from the public. However, interested persons may either attend or file statements with the Committee. Written statements may be filed either before the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting and addressed to: Ms. Laura B. Balun, Director, Voluntary Service Office (10C2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to contact Ms. Balun at [phone].

Dated: February 5, 2007.

By Direction of the Secretary

E. Phillip Riggin,

Committee Management Officer.