FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

VA - 195 - Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee - Agency Authority

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of Veterans Affairs
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	195
Original Establishment Date	5/17/1946	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date	3/1/2025	Committee URL	https://www.va.gov/advisory/voluntary.asp
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	Unlimited
Terminated This FY	Yes	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Director, VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Dr.
Current Charter Date	9/16/2025	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Matthew
Date Of Renewal Charter	9/16/2027	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Eitutis
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(785) 925-0605
Establishment Authority*	Agency Authority	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	(202) 495-6208
Specific Establishment Authority*	VA Circular No. 117, Sect. I	Designated Federal Officer Email*	matthew.eitutis@va.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	5/17/1946
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Non Scientific Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Committee’s activities align to the VA Strategic Goals as follows: GOAL 1: VA consistently communicates with its customers and partners to assess and maximize performance, evaluate needs and build long-term relationships and trust. The Committee’s priorities are in identifying and mobilizing volunteers, donors and strategic partners to enhance Veteran experience and improve engagement with VA which aids in building long-term relationships and trust. The Committee’s members are the primary base of volunteers, represent many of the key partnerships, and serve as the voice of Veterans to measure the impact of the Committee’s activities. Volunteers, donations, and strategic partners support human and fiscal resources that address access challenges, increase choices for care and services, and make information more readily available for Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. Communication with Committee members is relayed to the membership of the organizations represented on the Committee which assists in building long-term relationships and trust among VA customers and partners. GOAL 2: VA delivers timely, accessible, high-quality benefits, care and services to meet the unique needs of Veterans and all those we serve. The Committee’s recommendations targeting improvement of the VA volunteer program assists in providing a without compensation support team that supplements care and service providers in providing timely and integrated care and support. Volunteer programming in support of transportation of Veterans, caregivers and family members aids in the delivery of timely, accessible care. Additionally, volunteer and donor support of Whole Health modalities, Arts and Humanities, and programming which promotes Veteran independence aids VA in meeting the unique needs of Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. Outreach with the Committee supported efforts to educate the Veteran community about The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act and related deadlines during a period when communication was paramount. GOAL 3. VA builds and maintains trust with Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors—as well as our employees and partners—through proven stewardship, transparency and accountability. The Committee’s membership is made up of members of key Veterans service, civic, fraternal, faith-based and other strategic partner organizations which are part of the fabric of the community served by VA. Communication from the Committee to their respective organizations serves to build and maintain the trust Veterans have in VA as Veterans know and trust these organizations to which they belong. Additionally, the Committee’s open meetings and transparent operations serve to help build Veteran trust in VA. This Committee continues work to improve and streamline business processes, to incorporate virtual information sharing meetings, when appropriate, electronic registration for annual meetings, and online nominations for the submission of awards and recognition. Additionally, the Committee continues to build on practices emphasizing more robust accounting of funds associated with activities, operationalizing the non-monetary and in-kind donation recording in the field, and increased accountability for VA Central Office funding (donated and appropriated) directed to the field. GOAL 4. VA strives toward excellence in all business operations—including governance, systems, data and management—to improve experiences, satisfaction rates, accountability and security for Veterans. The Committee’s volunteers have assisted in promoting volunteer assignments targeting improved experiences, satisfaction, accountability and security. The volunteers that are facilitated by this Committee’s actions are increasingly engaged in assignments supporting management best practices. Additionally, the committee’s continued efforts to support the modernization of the electronic system used in tracking volunteers, donations, and strategic partnerships provides enhanced capabilities for employees and aids to ensure systems and data are used to improve service to Veterans.
How is membership balanced?*	The Committee is comprised of 55 national service, Veterans, civic, and volunteer oriented organizations. Its membership is a diverse representation of Veterans Service Organizations and community partners. The Committee continually seeks the opportunity to bring on new organizations, including Post-911 Veterans organizations, corporate entities, and other agencies/organizations interested in philanthropic engagement opportunities within VA.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Committee meets once a year. This Committee represents the voice of the community to VA and its leadership. The volunteer and monetary resources that are the ultimate outcomes from these partnerships enhance care and services for Veterans. In FY 2024, the Committee met May 14-16, 2024 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	VA has no other resource to replace the functions of this Committee. Its purposes of promoting and coordinating volunteer activities and strategic partnership within VA facilities, in the community; and to advise on matters related to volunteerism and charitable giving are not addressed by any other mechanism or system. Since 1946, the Committee has been the method by which VA volunteerism and philanthropic activities has been implemented and managed.
Why close or partially close meetings?	There are no closed meetings.
Recommendation Remarks

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	The outcomes generated from this committee result in the strategic utilization of community resources for the benefit of enhanced care and services for Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	The programs and services provided through this Committee's efforts result in a significant cost avoidance for VA.	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	73	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	This is the total of recommendations through FY 2024.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	90.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	There were two recommendations approved in FY 2024 being submitted for action in FY 2025.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	3.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	CDCE is collaborating and has work groups tracking partially implemented recommendations.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	Committee minutes are published on the web at https://www.va.gov/advisory/voluntary.asp and sent electronically to each committee member.
Agency Feedback Comment*	Whenever the Committee submits a report/recommendations, the Department will submit a formal response to each Committee recommendation; and then Department officials brief the Committee on actions taken to implement recommendations. All approved Annual Reports are published and can be, found online: https://www.va.gov/advisory/voluntary.asp	Narrative Description*	Volunteers assist Veterans by augmenting staff in settings such as inpatient hospital units, outpatient clinics, Community Living Centers, volunteer respite programs, volunteer transportation programs, community-based volunteer programs, end-of-life care programs, foster care, and Veterans outreach centers. The Committee encourages strategic partnerships and volunteer support to better serve Veterans. They encourage their members and others to contribute time, talent and resources to VA to improve Veteran access and experience; decrease homelessness among Veterans; share VA national and local messages to Veterans through their social media and websites; market the Veterans Crisis Line and initiatives such as whole health to better serve our Nation's Veterans. The VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the Department of Veterans Affairs provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, through the Under Secretary for Health, on the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities, and on other matters relating to volunteerism. It keeps the officers and members of participating organizations informed of volunteer needs and accomplishments. The Committee actively supports the strategic plan of the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement and the overall VA mission and strategic plan.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/19/2025 9:23 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Health Aging Health Care Hospitals Safety Treatment Veterans Veterans and Veterans' Medical Care

Custom Links

Committee Level Reports