2018-15333. Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board (herein-after referred in this section to as “the Board”) for the VA West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, CA (“Campus”). The Board is established to coordinate locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify the goals of the community and Veteran partnership; provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary to improve services and outcomes for Veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and the families of such Veterans and members; and provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of the Draft Master Plan approved by the Secretary on January 28, 2016, and on the creation and implementation of any other successor master plans.

DATES:

Nominations for membership on the Board must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on August 10, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations should be mailed to the Veterans Experience Office,

Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, (30), Washington, DC 20420; or sent electronically to the Advisory Committee Management Office mailbox at [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Eugene W. Skinner, Jr., Designated Federal Officer, Veterans Experience Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW (30), Washington, DC 20420, telephone [phone] or via email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In carrying out the duties set forth in the West LA Leasing Act, the Board shall:

(1) Provide the community with opportunities to collaborate and communicate by conducting public forums; and

(2) Focus on local issues regarding the Department that are identified by the community with respect to health care, implementation of the Master Plan, and any subsequent plans, benefits, and memorial services at the Campus. Information on the Master Plan can be found at https://www.losangeles.va.gov/​masterplan/​.

Authority: The Board is a statutory committee established as required by Section 2(i) of the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, Public Law 114-226 (the West LA Leasing Act). The Board operates in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

Membership Criteria and Qualifications: VA is seeking nominations for Board membership. The Board is composed of thirteen members and several ex-officio members. The Board meets up to four times annually; and it is important that Board members attend meetings to achieve a quorum so that Board can effectively carry out its duties. The members of the Board are appointed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from the general public, from various sectors and organizations, and shall meet the following qualifications, as set forth in the West LA Leasing Act:

(1) Not less than 50% of members shall be Veterans; and

(2) Non-Veteran members shall be:

a. Family members of Veterans,

b. Veteran advocates,

c. Service providers,

d. Real estate professionals familiar with housing development projects, or

e. Stakeholders.

In addition, the Board members may also serve as Subcommittee members.

In accordance with the Board Charter, the Secretary shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of Board members, except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed two years. The Secretary may reappoint any Board member for additional terms of service.

To the extent possible, the Secretary seeks members who have diverse professional and personal qualifications including but not limited to subject matter experts in the areas described above. We ask that nominations include any relevant experience and information so that VA can ensure diverse Board membership.

Requirements for Nomination Submission: Nominations should be typed written (one nomination per nominator). Nomination package should include:

(1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e. specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this capacity), and a statement from the nominee indicating a willingness to serve as a member of the Board;

(2) The nominee's contact information, including name, mailing address, telephone numbers, and email address;

(3) The nominee's curriculum vitae, not to exceed three pages and a one page cover letter; and

(4) A summary of the nominee's experience and qualifications relative to the membership criteria and professional qualifications criteria listed above.

The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of VA Federal advisory committees is diverse in terms of points of view represented and the committee's capabilities. Appointments to this Board shall be made without discrimination because of a person's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the Board and appears to have no conflict of interest that would preclude membership. An ethics review is conducted for each selected nominee.

Dated: July 13, 2018.

Jelessa M. Burney,

Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.