Veterans' Program Advisory Board

The King County Veterans' Program Advisory Board makes recommendations about the disbursement of funds and assists the King County Veterans' Program in service planning activities. The Board works in conjunction with the Veterans' Program to provide high quality services to veterans and their families in King County.

Board member duties include:

• Reviewing the activities and plans of the Veterans' Program
• Making recommendations to the Veterans' Program Coordinator
• Advising county government on matters of concern to the veterans in King County
• Reviewing guidelines concerning the allocation of benefits to eligible veterans and their families
• Hearing and ruling on any grievances brought to the Veterans' Program.

Board Composition

The Advisory Board is comprised of 17 members (with alternates) who are elected to two-year staggered terms by the voting membership at the Annual Meeting held in February. Nominees are selected by the federally recognized veterans' organizations in King County (e.g. Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans). The Board seeks diversity in age, gender, geographic representation, and ethnic and cultural perspectives, as well as a mix of relevant skills, experiences, and perspectives.

Committees

Budget Committee: Committee reviews the Veterans' Program budget and makes recommendations or requests to the Veterans' Program Coordinator. The committee also reviews the annual budget for the Veterans' Program and reports to the full board each year.

Appeals Committee: Committee reviews complaints or grievances from veterans regarding services provided by the King County Veterans' Program. The committee makes recommendations to the Veterans' Program Coordinator based on evidence heard before the committee.

Programs Committee: Committee members serve as community representatives to various veterans' service organizations and make recommendations to the Veterans' Program Coordinator for enhancing existing programs or designing new programs.

Background

The King County Veterans' Advisory Board was established in 1991 when the Washington State code was revised to mandate a relief fund for honorably discharged indigent veterans and their families (RCW 73.08.010) and is funded by King County taxpayers.

How to become a board member

Board members are elected at the annual general meeting held in February.  Veterans' organizations from throughout King County (which must have been chartered by an act of the United States Congress) are invited to send up to three representatives to the annual meeting. These representatives must be elected officers or individuals certified to represent the organization.

At this meeting, nominations are sought to fill seventeen board seats on the Advisory Board, including the chair and vice chair. Members are elected for two-year terms. In addition, the Veterans' Program Coordinator and the Outgoing Advisory Board Chair shall report on the Veterans' Program activities during the preceding year and planned activities and budget for the upcoming year.