Veterans Advisory Board Meeting Highlights

VAB Agenda February 9, 2023 (info) I. Call to Order/Pledge/Invocation/Roll Call (action) II. Approval of January 12, 2023 minutes (info) III. Clark County Survey of Needs (info) IV. Board Member Role and Responsibilities (info) V. Women Veterans Village (action) VI. Committee Reports (info) VII. December 2022 Contractor Reports (info) VIII. Veterans Assistance Center update (info) IX. Old and New Business (info) X. Open Forum 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 1

Agenda Item I. Call to Order/Pledge/Invocation/Roll Call 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 2

Agenda Item II. Approval of January 12 minutes Approval of Member at Large: A motion was made by John Lovejoy and seconded by Shannon Roberts to accept Tonya Wark as member at-large. Motion carried. Approval of December 8,2022, meeting minutes: The minutes were approved following a motion by Shannon Roberts that was seconded by John Lovejoy. Committee Reports: Appeals: None. Policies and Procedures: Request to change bylaws section 2.3.3 to state: If a CCVAB organization has more than two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from CCVAB scheduled business meetings, this may be cause for termination from the committee until a new Letter of Intent (LOI) is submitted appointing active member representatives. The organization shall be notified of termination from the CCVAB until the new LOI is received. 2023 committee appointments Policy and Procedures: Kelly Jones as chair, Ron Fryer and Tonya Wark as member, with Steve Slegers as alternate Appeals: Ron Fryer as chair, Tom Philips as co-chair, and Gene Couture as member, with Tamara Elam as alternate Nominations: Bruce Maas is chair, Kelly Jones and Steve Slegers as members November 2022, Contractor & Fund Reports: The fund assisted 57 Veteran households. The Veterans Assistance Center received 450 veteran visits. The Free Clinic served 4 veterans in October. The Fund balance at the end of November was $758,311. Veterans Assistance Center (VAC) Update Served 17 families with 63 children for toys Gave 15 holiday food boxes and served 15 holiday hot meals January 26, Project Homeless Connect at St. Joseph s church and Point-in-Time Count February 1 WDVA town hall at Reserve Center, 9am CCVAC golf tournament June 6 at Tri Mountain golf course Old Business Letter of Intent: most agencies have submitted National Wheelchair games July 4-9. Volunteers needed New Business A draft 2023 work plan was developed to map out intended meeting content throughout the year. Members may suggest changes at any time. There will not be a July meeting, and LOIs will not be required for 2024. Ron will share updates on the Women Veterans Village housing project in June The legislature is considering some mental health bills for veterans Open Forum WDVA director is retiring Portland VA regional office scheduling VSO dates in Vancouver 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 3

Clark County Survey of Needs Rebecca Royce 15-minute survey Anonymous Available online in English, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese Available hard copy in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Chuukese Help us identify the needs of families struggling financially in our community Informs future funding decisions Surveys due by April 14, 2023 Contact Rebecca Royce Rebecca.Royce@clark.wa.gov Scan me to go to survey 564.397.7863 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 4

Agenda Item IV. Role and Responsibilities The Advisory Role Members of advisory boards provide an important link between the public and agencies, and the Clark County Council. The information that members provide about community needs and opinions can have a profound effect on policies and lead to better service. Advisory board members play a very special role in creating recommendations for Veteran services in Clark County. 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 5

Expectations Members of the Veterans Advisory Board are expected to: Interpret and communicate community opinions, attitudes, and needs to Clark County Community Services and the Clark County Council. Study programs and services and analyze issues and needs. Offer proposals and recommend changes in programs, policies, and standards. Provide the public with information on county policies, programs, and budgets. 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 6

Being an Effective Board Member Attend all board meetings. Are well prepared for meetings. Recognize that serving the public interest is the top priority. Recognize that the board must operate in an open and public manner. Are knowledgeable about the issues affecting the board. Examine all available evidence before making a judgment. Communicate well and participate in group discussions. Are aware that authority to act is granted to the board as a whole, not to individual members. Exhibit a willingness to work with the group in making decisions. Recognize that compromise may be necessary to reach consensus. Do not let personal feelings toward other board members or staff interfere with their judgment. 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 7

Restrictions and Requirements Some highlights: Board members must be familiar with and operate within their board s governing statutes and bylaws, as well as state and federal laws. No board member may make unilateral decisions or take action without the consent of the board as a whole. Individual board members must use discretion to avoid the appearance of speaking for the board. Members are restricted from accepting or soliciting anything of economic value as a gift, gratuity or favor if it is given only because the member holds a responsible position with the county. 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 8

Ethics and the Appearance of Fairness As a board member, you are expected to uphold a high ethical standard. It is extremely important that board members avoid conflicts of interest or even the appearance of conflicts of interest. Using a public position for private gain is improper and illegal. Similarly, actions benefiting close relatives are prohibited. There are penalties for violations of state ethics statutes. The following are examples of conflicts of interest: Directing contracts to a business in which you have a financial interest. Using confidential information for private investments. Accepting gifts or favors in exchange for certain regulatory rulings. Accepting gifts or favors in exchange for making certain purchases. Obtaining personal favors from employees. Accepting favors for disclosure of confidential information. Engaging in outside employment which assists non-governmental entities in their quests for business. 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 9

V. Women Veterans Village Ron Fryer Brief update on recent meetings about the Women Veterans Village 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 10

Agenda Item VI. Committee Reports Appeals Ron Fryer Policies and Procedures Kelly Jones Vote on proposed bylaws amendment: Section 2.3 Termination 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 11

Agenda Item VII. December Contractor & Fund Reports CCVAC 64 Veterans served in December, services totaling $48,840 52 men, 11 women Veterans, 1 widow 381 visits to the center for essentials and food; 340 meals served 618.5 Volunteer hours, totaling $15,271 value Free Clinic Five Veterans served in December: Value: $4,157, billed $3,738 WDVA Service Officer Fourth quarter 411 claims, 86% approved, resulting in $417,894 in VA payments. Fund VAF 2022 year-end figures not yet finalized. Will be reported at March meeting. 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 12

Agenda Item VIII. CCVAC updates 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 13

Agenda Items IX X. Old Business New Business Open Forum New WDVA Director Gold Star Scholarship Adjourn Next meeting: March 9, 2023 2/9/2023 Veterans Advisory Board 14