Q&A
Discussion on veterans' participation in community boards
0:21:08
·
168 sec
Council Member Holden inquires about the number of veterans serving on community boards and discusses the importance of including veterans in these roles. The DVS representatives acknowledge they don't have exact numbers but mention that some boards have veteran service committees.
- DVS doesn't have exact numbers of veterans on community boards
- 7 community boards currently have committees serving veterans
- Holden emphasizes the importance of including veterans on community board applications
- Discussion on encouraging more veteran participation in community boards
Robert F. Holden
0:21:08
Do we know how many veterans sit on community boards?
James Hendon
0:21:12
We don't know the exact number about passing Nicole to editing that our ACF community engagement?
Nicole Jordan Jones
0:21:16
No, sir.
0:21:17
We don't do the exact numbers either.
Robert F. Holden
0:21:18
But you do no.
James Hendon
0:21:19
I got it.
Nicole Jordan Jones
0:21:20
We don't have the Got it.
0:21:22
Okay.
0:21:23
We don't have the exact number, but I do know currently there are 7 boards that have veteran service commute that have committees and service veterans.
Robert F. Holden
0:21:30
By the way, we're joined by a councilor of nurse.
0:21:33
That I served on the committee board for 30 years.
0:21:36
And I just wonder, you know, a couple of days ago, I went online to see if I can get a committee board application, to see if veterans were, you know, that whole box was was put on there.
0:21:45
And I couldn't find that many applications.
0:21:49
Only one community board.
0:21:50
In fact, I didn't be a search for hours, but I I didn't search many community boards.
0:21:55
There's no application available even because they open up a period.
0:21:58
I think it should be open all year round.
0:22:01
Community board applications for everyone, and you apply.
0:22:05
So we'll we'll talk to, you know, certainly, if we have to have a local law to do that, you know, we'll do that.
0:22:12
But the the the form that I did get, it didn't say anything.
0:22:17
Nothing no mention of veterans, no if you're a veteran, and so forth.
0:22:21
So the fact that, you know, we could easily get that information about how many veterans serve on the community board by just somebody actually you know, spending a few days in calling or or writing or emailing.
0:22:32
But I know that's an you know, I had asked that we have and it it could take a law, but I I had asked that we have a veterans committee every community board.
0:22:44
But then we we got some pushback saying, well, not that many veterans are sitting on community board.
0:22:48
And I couldn't give them an answer on how many.
0:22:51
So if we can get that and make sure that since the veterans have a lot to to offer, we know that in your testimony, and and certainly what I read, they're probably the biggest population that can offer probably life experience and a lot more than just in their own community, they can offer a world view.
0:23:14
So if we can get that on the form, if we can encourage if your office can encourage community boards to all include that on their forms, I'd appreciate that.
0:23:25
Alright.
James Hendon
0:23:25
In a software, we can bring it up, Mister Scheggers.
0:23:27
We're constantly touching these community boards.
0:23:29
So under Nicole's leadership, we're always making sure we have lines of communication with the CPE.
0:23:33
So we can ask and gently, you know, suggest, and also try to ask how many veterans are you aware of who owns.
Robert F. Holden
0:23:39
Right.
0:23:39
Right.
0:23:39
So I I think it's important because we we have to tap into a population that served us and and try to get them their perspective on it.
0:23:49
And and I I'd like to have at least a few veterans on every community board.
0:23:54
That's possible.
0:23:55
That's our goal.
