Fund for Veterans' Assistance Advisory Committee
Purpose
The purpose of the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Advisory Committee is to evaluate grant applications and provide recommendations to the Commission.
Texas Government Code §434.0101 authorizes the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to establish an advisory committee.
An advisory committee is a collection of individuals who bring unique knowledge and skills which augment the knowledge and skills of the Commission to more effectively guide the organization. The advisory committee does not have formal authority to govern the organization; that is, the advisory committee may not issue directives that must be followed. Rather, the advisory committee serves to make recommendations and/or provide key information and materials to the Commission.
The Texas Veterans Commission has one established Advisory Committee in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code, § 452.2. The committee must comply with the Open Meetings Act.
- Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Advisory Committee
The committee is composed of nine (9) members. Committee members shall serve staggered 4-year terms (beginning January 1, unless appointed to fill a vacant/resigned position). Committee members shall serve only one term on the same committee. Once their term is over, they may apply for another committee.
Committee members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Commission. Each year at the 1st Quarterly Commission Meeting (normally held in November), the Commissioners approve appointments to the TVC advisory committees to fill the positions of those members whose terms are expiring at the end of that calendar year. Learn more about FVAAC Duties.
Qualifications for Membership
Committee members may include representatives from:
- veterans’ organizations;
- non-profit or philanthropic organizations;
- veterans or family members of veterans;
- individuals with the experience and knowledge to assist the committee with achievement of its purpose.
Committee members may not include:
- officers, directors or employees of organizations or entities that have an open Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grant during the member’s tenure or that intend to apply for a Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grant.
Committee members will be required to sign non-disclosure and conflict-of-interest agreements before reviewing grant applications. Committee members found in violation of the nondisclosure agreement will be prohibited from evaluating grant applications and making recommendations to the Commission. Committee members found in violation of the conflict of interest agreement may also be removed from the committee by the Commission.
Meetings
The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Advisory Committee shall meet as needed to make grant recommendations to the Commission.
Meeting Location
Texas Veterans Commission
George H.W. Bush Bldg.
1801 Congress Ave., Board Room 4.300
Austin, TX 78701
Invitation to Comment
The Advisory Committee encourages the public to appear before it to speak on any issue under its jurisdiction and includes a public comment opportunity on the agenda in each of its regular public meetings. Public comments at Advisory Committee Meetings may be limited to a reasonable number, frequency, and length; however, the Advisory Committee does not and will not discriminate among speakers for or against a particular point of view.
Public Comment Procedure
Public comments may be made in-person to the Commission at the designated meeting location listed on the agenda. TVC will also allow virtual comment. However, if there are technical or other unforeseen issues, those comments might not be heard. Therefore, TVC recommends in-person public comment.
Speakers will be given 3 minutes to speak. Virtual speakers must be visible on-camera.
TVC recommends speakers submit a public comment form to TVC Staff at least ten minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. Virtual speakers are recommended to submit a public comment form via email to public-comments@tvc.texas.gov.
If you would like to register to make a public comment, please view our Public Comment Registration Form.