[Federal Register: April 18, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 74)]
[Notices]               
[Page 19925-19926]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18ap06-116]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

 
Voluntary Services National Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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 on May 3-6, 2006, at the John 
Ascuga's Nugget, 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, Nevada. The meeting 
sessions are scheduled from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on May 3; from 8:30 
a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on May 4, 5 and 6, with a closing program at 6 
p.m. on May 6. The meeting is open to the public.
    The Committee advises the Secretary, through the Under Secretary 
for Health, on the coordination and promotion of volunteer activities 
within VA health care facilities.
    The purposes of this meeting are to provide for Committee review of 
volunteer policies and procedures; to accommodate full and open 
communications between the participating organizations, representatives 
and the VA Voluntary Service Office; to provide educational 
opportunities for improving volunteer programs, with special emphasis 
on recruitment, retention and recognition of volunteers; and to approve 
Committee recommendations. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 
creation of the VA Voluntary Service.
    The May 3 session will feature award presentations involving the 
member organizations. Remarks will be presented by several VA and local 
officials.
    The May 4 session will feature remarks by the Under Secretary for 
Health who will also present an updated Voluntary Service report. The 
Director of the Voluntary Service Office will officially recognize 
recipients of the VAVS American Spirit Award, VAVS Award for 
Excellence, and NAC Volunteers of the Year. After the session, there 
will be educational workshops entitled Fisher House, Mentoring Youth 
Volunteers, Recruitment Tips for Baby Boomers, and Family Volunteering.
    On May 5, the business session will include subcommittee reports 
and presentations on the Veterans Canteen Service and National Cemetery 
Administration. The James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship Luncheon will 
be held to honor an outstanding youth volunteer. This session will be 
followed

[[Page 19926]]

by educational workshops entitled VAVS History, VAVS Recommendations, 
Cemetery Service, and Partnering with DoD/Family Support.
    The May 6 session will include a presentation on Echo Taps, 
planning for next year's meeting and closing remarks by the Chairman. 
The evening will conclude with a 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 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 (202) 273-8952.

    Dated: April 7, 2006.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-3649 Filed 4-17-06; 8:45 am]

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