Communities Model

Last Updated: August 25, 2015

Community Playbook

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What is a MyVA Community?MyVA Communities are a collaborative network of Veterans, advocates, resources, and other stakeholders who organize through community Veteran engagement boards to improve outcomes for Veterans, Service members (SM), and their communities.

The MyVA Communities model provides a framework for VA leaders to begin having conversations with local community leaders about collaborating with existing community engagements or creating community collaborative networks where they don’t exist.

VA will look to community leaders to establish these across the country

VA may be the catalyst

for community

movements, but each

community owns and leads the

effort.

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Local SM/

Veteran

Medical Treatment Facilities

Homelessness Services

Chairs & Members

Non-Profit Organizations

Local VA Leaders

State and Local Government

Colleges and Universities

Job Training/ Employment

Services

VSOs

What Does a MyVA Community Do?A MyVA Community drives a shared understanding among stakeholders of the complex challenges that Veterans and transitioning Service Members face and leverages its collective strengths to improve the Veteran experience.

MyVA Community

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• Improve Veteran/SM outcomes by connecting public and private resources and capabilities

• Create forums where public and private efforts can learn about each other and work together to enhance their effectiveness and improve Veteran/SM outcomes

• Enable Veterans/SMs to easily identify and reach all of the resources available to them, voice their opinions, and provide valuable input

• Create direct and open lines of communication within the community to serve as an early warning system and enable local responsiveness to issues

Why are MyVA Communities Important?MyVA Communities provide a forum for local collaboration among public and private resources, services, and advocates. United around common goals, objectives, and actions, these communities will…

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MyVA Community FrameworkThe MyVA Community Framework delivers an overall structure for how Communities operate and succeed.

Community Driven

• Led by community veterans engagement boards that shape the broader community efforts

• Chaired by two respected community leaders and includes identified local stakeholders

• Local VA leaders serve on the board but do not form a majority of the board’s membership

Inclusive

• Inclusive of all local Veteran-focused resources and open to all Veterans, Service members, stakeholders, resources, advocates and existing community engagements/efforts

• Establish a collaborative network within the community and provide the opportunity for education and networking

Accessible

• Public forums are held regularly throughout the year

• Forums are held in geographically diverse public venues to encourage broader participation

• Forums are actively promoted to involve the public on local Veteran issues

Flexible

• Charters define term appointments for board members to allow for flexibility

• Customized to reflect the unique characteristics of the community

• Community demographics inform geographic boundaries

Integrated

• Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA) leaders participate and actively engage in meetings and public forums

• Promotes and leverages local capabilities and resources for Veterans

• Local and District VA leaders network across communities to share best practices

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What is FACA? The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) is a Federal statute that governs the establishment, termination and management of Federal advisory committees (FAC). FACA was enacted to promote openness and transparency and to regulate the number and duration of FACs.

When does FACA apply? FACA applies to all groups with at least one individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time Federal employee established or utilized by an agency to obtain advice or recommendations, unless an exception applies.

What Can VA do?• VA may participate in MyVA Communities without

triggering FACA so long as VA does not utilize the group to solicit advice or recommendations

• VA may seek facts/ information from MyVA Communities      

FACA ConsiderationsMyVA Communities are community-driven. VA participates in MyVA Communities by providing representation on the MyVA Communities boards. MyVA Communities are not advisory committees.

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Co-Chairs

Respected leaders in the local Veteran community

willing and capable of leading a board of local

community representatives and VA leaders

1

Board members

Existing community Veterans groups

representatives and local VA leaders

2

Promotion

Inform and promote MyVA Community to the public

and encourage collaboration and

participation in Community forums

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3Charter

Working document that outlines MyVA

Community goals and structure

5Public Forums

Public forums are inclusive of all interested Veterans, SMs, Veteran

supporters, and the public

6Collaboration

Ideas, information, knowledge, and issues are shared among community

stakeholders;

7Action

Test and measure solutions, escalate issues

as needed, and share results

Standup BoardOngoing

OperationsBuild MyVA Community

Establishing a MyVA CommunityMyVA Communities are locally-operated but share a common mission. The process (below) guides the establishment of a MyVA Community, with opportunity for local customization in each step.

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Co-Chairs

Identify current community group Co-chairs or leads to discuss collaboration

and adoption of the MyVA Community model

framework

1

Board members

Ensure VA Directors from each of the three VA

administrations are on the board

2

Promotion

Promote the existing community group as using

the MyVA Community model to the public and

encourage collaboration and participation in public

forums

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3Charter

Modify any existing charter or document to adopt MyVA Community model. Examine

the need for community name change if needed

5Public Forums

Public forums are inclusive of all interested Veterans, SMs, Veteran

supporters, and the public

6Collaboration

Ideas, information, knowledge, and issues are shared among community

stakeholders;

7Action

Test and measure solutions, escalate issues

as needed, and share results

Standup BoardOngoing

OperationsBuild MyVA Community

Leveraging an existing Community groupVA leaders may become aware of existing Veterans advocacy initiatives and engagements that operate similarly to the framework of the MyVA Communities model. In these instances, VA leaders should look to engage with these entities where possible and/or seek to identify collaborative opportunities for those groups to adopt the MyVA Community model.

“Satellite board concept” - Existing groups open to collaboration should discuss the possibility of creating a “satellite” board that would be Co-Chaired by a member of the existing group and an individual not associated in the existing group.

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IMPORTANT!

Per the Office of General Council, should a VA employee seek to become a member of MyVA Community board which would result in his or her having a fiduciary duty because the MyVA Community is organized as a non-profit corporation, the employee should notify his or her chain-of-command that s/he would be assuming a fiduciary duty. 

Should the employee be appointed to such board the procedures in the Chief of Staff’s February 12, 2014 memorandum on VA Employee Official Service as a Nonprofit Officer, Director, or Trustee must be followed.

Board Considerations When Collaborating with Non-Profit OrganizationsMyVA Communities are community-driven and independent of VA. VA participates in MyVA Communities by providing representation on the MyVA Communities boards.

1. Standup Activities

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Demonstrated leader

Knowledgeable about local Veteran community

Solution-oriented

Results-driven Veteran or

Veteran advocate

Qualifications

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify community geography and community name

• Select founding members

• Lead board meetings and community forums on a recurring basis

• Coordinate and facilitate public forums

• Evaluate outcomes

• Bring thought leadership

Toolkit Items:Operating framework and suggested

co-chair/board roles and responsibilitiesSample project plan

1. Co-ChairsEach MyVA Community has local external community Co-Chairs who serve as founding leaders. These leaders are responsible for the development of the community movement, framing the issues that the Community will address, and leading efforts to empower local solutions. Co-Chairs are not VA employees and for continuity of leadership, preferably not political appointees or elected officials.

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Mental health counselors

Housing advocate groups

Employment service providers

Financial Advising

Veterans treatment courts

Homelessness services

Social work organizations

Veteran service organizations

Local National Guard or military base

Tribal representatives

Banks or loan providers Domestic violence shelters

State and local government

Colleges and universities

Student Veteran organizations

Job training services

Local and regional VA

Hospitals and medical treatment facilities

MyVA Community

Non-profits and foundations

Military Service Organizations (MSO)

Faith community

2. Board MembershipBoard membership selection and makeup is up to each MyVA Community and should reflect community interests and priorities.

Toolkit Items:List of Potential Members

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Improved Veterans

Outcomes

Chairs & Board members

Community Example Guiding Principles:

• Action-oriented

• Informative

• Highly visible

• Accountable

• Inclusive

• Transparent

3. CharterThe MyVA Community sample charter includes how the community will be structured and how it will meet the needs of the local Veteran community. MyVA Community Co-Chairs and board members are responsible for drafting and finalizing a charter.

Toolkit Items: Sample charter

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4. PromotionCo-chairs and Board members will determine how to engage with the Veteran stakeholder community to actively promote the MyVA Community through a variety of channels. The VA seal and flag may not be used by external organizations, individuals, or community groups to promote use of the MyVA Community model, however the “MyVA” logo may be used by the Co-Chairs and board members in the promotion of the community effort in sharing that the MyVA Community model framework is being used.

Toolkit Items:One page overview of MyVA Communities

(promotional)FAQsSample press release

Tools to Connect:

• Social media

• VSO member e-mails

• Flyers in public places

• Announcements at local events or meetings

• Community list-serves

• Road shows

2. Build MyVA Community

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5a. Board MeetingsThe community veteran engagement board meetings bring together members to conduct MyVA Community business. These meetings are not intended to be open to the general public or the press to ensure that conversations are candid and members can focus on finding practical solutions.

Toolkit Items: Environmental Snapshot

Develop common

agenda for action

Identify / compare trends in issues

Disseminate information

/ gain shared

awareness of root cause

Generate connections

and leverage

networks

Components of a successful meeting :

• Agenda / specific topics

• Experts available to discuss specific topics

• Coordinators to take meeting minutes and action items

• Documented meeting outcomes to share with the public

Sample Board Meeting Objectives

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Networking & SharingInformational Presentations Services Kiosks

50% 80%

Key elements of the forum might include:

5b. MyVA Public ForumsPublic forums are an important tool to bring together the community, connect Veterans and their supporters with resources, and allow stakeholders to ask questions or raise concerns. Public forums will supplement VA’s Integrated Town Hall meetings.

Toolkit Items: Public Forum Planning Guide

MyVA Community Model Public Forum Framework

Public forums are organized by community boards and create opportunities for Veterans, Service members, families, stakeholders, and service providers to openly communicate and bring solutions to improve outcomes for Veterans.

Veterans, Service

members and the public

Private sector

companies/ non-profits

State and local

government

Veteran/ Military Service

Orgs.

VHA/ NCA/ VBA

Benefits Services

Veteran Community Co-Chairs/

Board

Public forums should be customized to meet the needs of each unique community. Boards can leverage experts and volunteers from the Veteran stakeholder community to provide programming activities such as: networking events, key note presentations, employment resource fairs, educational seminars, service kiosks/ booths, service referral networks, expert presentations, and/or Q&A panels.

ACTIVITY

PLANNING

Potential Public Forum Participants

Inclusive of all community resources and services

Other Community Resources

VA

Media

MyVA Community Model Public Forum Framework

Sample Public Forum Elements:

Generally, run about 2 hours, but can vary

May include, but not limited to:

Planned Program

Resource presentations

Panel discussions with SMEs

Q&A

Special guests and speakers

Multimedia

Open forum discussion

50%

80%

Public Forum Checklist Tool:

Open to everyone (e.g. Veterans, service providers, private sector companies)

Key stakeholders (state/ local government officials, state VA, MSO/VSO leaders) are invited

Promoted widely through use of press releases and media alerts

Held in accessible public venue (e.g. university, public library)

Community-led

Not used for fundraising or political purposes

3. Ongoing Operations

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6. CollaborationMeetings and forums are intended to provide the opportunity for collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, identify root cause challenges, and engage in holistic problem solving that can enhance effectiveness. Outcomes may be shared with community stakeholders and other MyVA Communities.

Other MyVA Communities

MyVA Community

Local Community

VAVA

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District VEO

Local Stakeholders

MyVA Community Co-chairs and board members

MyVA Advisory Board

Veterans

7. ActionMyVA Communities promote opportunities to enhance service and address issues at the local level. Should a community encounter issues that require resolution at higher levels, Co-Chairs are empowered to consult with District VEOs or MyVA Advisory Board members upon request.

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ContactsQuestions? Questions can be directed to Andi Martinez via email Andrea.martinez2@va.gov

Organization mailbox: myvacommunities@va.gov

Website: http://www.va.gov/icbc/myVA.asp (toolkit items can be accessed here)