PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joe Bello on Increasing Veteran Civic Engagement
1:19:20
·
5 min
Joe Bello provides testimony on increasing veteran civic engagement in New York City, highlighting the unique perspective veterans bring to civic life and the challenges they face. He discusses the current state of veteran participation in various civic activities and critiques the Department of Veteran Services' efforts in promoting engagement.
- Emphasizes the need for data on veteran civic participation and transparency in DVS programs
- Suggests improvements for the Veterans Advisory Board, including term limits for members
- Calls for a separate oversight hearing for the Veterans Advisory Board
Joe Bello
1:19:20
Chairman Holden, now is at the Veterans Committee.
1:19:22
You for the opportunity to testify today's hearing on increasing veteran civic engagement.
1:19:26
Military veterans and their families bring a unique perspective on how service forces the sense of common purpose.
1:19:32
And civic engagement is one of the impactful ways veterans continue to serve their communities after leaving the uniform.
1:19:38
One reason veterans excel in civic life is because of the diverse environment we experienced in the military.
1:19:43
We have brought together with individuals from various backgrounds, races, and perspectives, and we're expected to work as a team.
1:19:49
This experience forces a strong sense of purpose, camaraderie, and belonging.
1:19:54
Veterans share a lot of the same concerns on issues that many New York City residents do, but we are keenly aware that change requires civic engagement.
1:20:04
As a result, research shows that veterans are more likely to vote volunteer joint civic organizations of donate to charity.
1:20:11
We have to acknowledge that here in New York City, we have an aging veterans population with 72% of our roughly 138,000 veterans over the age of fifty five.
1:20:20
Therefore, it is likely that many of our aging veterans have at some point either served or currently serving on community boards, health and hospital, community advisory boards, or cabs, or even police precinct councils.
1:20:33
Unfortunately, these numbers will likely decrease as they age.
1:20:36
For younger veterans, civic engagement varies.
1:20:39
Some veterans engaged in their schools that we've heard or in internships working with BSOs or participating in civic activities outside of veterans specific organizations, such as volunteering or serving on their child's PTA.
1:20:53
Additionally, some young and older veterans find themselves dealing with challenges that may hinder them from participating in civic service civic engagement.
1:21:01
For others, Civic engagement may be as simple as what Mister McKello testified, voting in New York City's compensatory budgeting initiative or even their local council members, PB, where community members helped decide how funds were spent.
1:21:14
With regards to the community boards.
1:21:16
Before his untimely passing, Paul Malone was meeting with the Burrow boards to encourage community boards to get more veterans to serve on them.
1:21:24
Unfortunately, he had noted to me that DVS did not maintain and the commissioner acknowledged that on how many veterans actively join community boards.
1:21:32
They were simply promoting the opportunity.
1:21:35
Therefore, any discussion on increasing civic participation first requires having some data around how many vets are currently engaged in civic activity in New York City.
1:21:45
According to its webpage, DBS connects veterans to programs and resources that promote social enrichment, including volunteer opportunities.
1:21:53
The site highlights the 3 main areas of social engagement that the commissioner talked about.
1:21:57
Mission vet check, the veteran's voices, and packing hello ready fresh meal kits.
1:22:02
Unfortunately, while there are various issues regarding each of these programs, to access them, you must complete the agency's VetConnect page request which has a response time of 3 to 5 business days according to its website.
1:22:15
Aside from these programs, DBS has fallen short in creating additional civic engagement opportunities, for example.
1:22:21
For example, as the commissioner stated, 2 years ago, the agency was in the process of taking over the Joseph P.
1:22:27
Dwyer, mental health peer to peer program from the health department.
1:22:30
Commission attendance stated at a veteran's advisory board meeting at a committee, which included VAB members, would be formed to review grant and RFP submissions for this funding.
1:22:39
Unfortunately, this committee never materialized while funding has been provided.
1:22:44
Additionally, with regards to the new post 911 veterans memorial in Whitestone, DBS's webpage states that the formation of a memorial advisory committee intended to represent diverse facets of New York City's Veterans Committee.
1:22:57
It also includes a proposed timeline.
1:22:59
Unfortunately, DBS appointed members to this committee without involving, informing, or transparency to anyone, including the VAB of the community.
1:23:08
To date, there has still been no information from Commander Henderson and then regarding the committee's members.
1:23:15
Even though we know at least 2 of them live outside of New York.
1:23:19
The lack of transparency and missed opportunities on both these programs reflects poorly on the agency's efforts to enhance civic engagement within the local veterans community.
1:23:30
Finally, with regards to the VAB, as someone who not only helped draft several pieces of legislation and worked on the annual report and also served on the board, I believe I have some insights into this issue.
1:23:43
I would ask that this committee hold a separate separate oversight hearing for the Veterans Advisory Board as one has not been conducted since February of 2017.
1:23:52
There were several concerns regarding the current state of the Veterans Advisory Board, including the process for appointing members, the way meeting notices are put out to the community and the lack lag of undocumented minutes or videos.
1:24:05
While I deeply respect my form of cab VAB colleagues and the institutional knowledge they bring, I would also like to propose to this body the legislation to limit the number of terms an individual can serve to a maximum of 2 terms, which is 6 years.
1:24:20
This change would open opportunity for other veterans who wish to become more specifically engaged with the community.
1:24:26
We are currently in a time when trust in veterans is high, but negative perceptions also persist due to issues like veteran suicide, homelessness, and the media portrayal of veterans as either extremists or damaged.
1:24:37
Both these narratives cannot be true.
1:24:39
But they highlight the need from what data and a balanced understanding of veterans and how and what we contribute to the society.
1:24:47
To everyone attending today's hearing in person or in line, thank you for sharing your thoughts your insights and concerns about what's happening with our community.
1:24:55
You have participation here in civic engagement at its best and helps to shape and help shape the future of our community.
1:25:02
Thank you, council members for your time.
Robert F. Holden
1:25:03
Thank you, Joe.
