Q&A
Discussion on the relationship between DVS and VAB
0:23:46
ยท
83 sec
Commissioner Hendon and Council Member Holden discuss the relationship between the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB), focusing on the board's autonomy and the challenges of managing attendance.
- Commissioner Hendon emphasizes the importance of respecting the VAB's autonomy while acknowledging the work of volunteer board members.
- Council Member Holden raises concerns about board members who haven't attended meetings for extended periods.
- The discussion touches on the need for standards regarding board member attendance and participation.
- Hendon points out that board members serve at the pleasure of the speaker or mayor, depending on who appointed them.
James Hendon
0:23:46
Mister chair, I want I wanna just, be clear.
0:23:48
Like, we'll come back to this issue of the board and versus DBS who has what, you know, responsibilities.
0:23:54
I gotta acknowledge we got people who are doing this as volunteers.
0:23:57
Yeah.
0:23:57
And we appreciate that.
0:23:58
Yeah.
0:23:58
And so we wanna I wanna you know, because I don't wanna in any way be seen as us throwing these folks on the bus who are doing excellent work.
0:24:03
I wanna say that
Robert Holden
0:24:04
as far as our board.
0:24:05
So their pieces of work What we were saying is that if somebody hasn't shown up in 3 years, they've they've shown that they are they're not interested.
0:24:12
But yet, they still have the seat on the board.
0:24:14
That's what we need Mhmm.
0:24:15
The codify, like, are there going to be standards rather than and and your, you know, your comment on, you know, in your testimony about the vacancies not being filled is another problem, and that that comes from the council.
0:24:28
So that's up to to it's my job to make sure that we see, you know, we fill every seat because we are you know, they are volunteers.
0:24:37
And you really need you know, with 13 members, you really need most people there, to to actually contribute because they do have a lot to offer.
0:24:45
So I just don't want somebody taking up, you know, space on the board for 3 years and not and and just not showing up.
0:24:53
So, that I guess the the board will make that decision.
0:24:58
Right?
0:24:58
I mean
James Hendon
0:24:59
Well, I think it's it's really about folks serving at the pleasure
Robert Holden
0:25:02
of the speaker.
0:25:02
Of the mayor.
James Hendon
0:25:03
Serving at the pleasure of the speaker.
0:25:04
So it's them as appointees, and then that could be something else that deals with the internal board governance as far
Robert Holden
0:25:09
as possible.