2014 Virginia Code
Title 2.2 - Administration of Government
§ 2.2-2715. Veterans Services Foundation; purpose; membership; terms; compensation; staff

A. The Veterans Services Foundation (the Foundation) is established as an independent body politic and corporate agency supporting the Department of Veterans Services in the executive branch of state government. The Foundation shall be governed and administered by a board of trustees. The Foundation shall (i) administer the Veterans Services Fund (the Fund), (ii) provide funding for veterans services and programs in the Commonwealth through the Fund, and (iii) raise revenue from all sources including private source fundraising to support the Fund. The Foundation shall submit a quarterly report to the Commissioner of Veterans Services on the Foundation's funding levels and services and an annual report to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs on or before November 30 of each year. The quarterly report and the annual report shall be submitted electronically.

B. The board of trustees of the Foundation shall consist of the Commissioner of Veterans Services and the Chairmen of the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations or their designees, who shall serve as ex officio voting members, and 16 members to be appointed as follows: eight nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Governor; five nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and three nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. A majority of the trustees shall be active or retired chairmen, chief executive officers, or chief financial officers for large private corporations or nonprofit organizations or individuals who have extensive fundraising experience in the private sector. Trustees appointed shall, insofar as possible, be veterans. Each appointing authority shall endeavor to ensure a balanced geographical representation on the Board to facilitate fundraising efforts across the state.

After initial appointments, members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. However, no member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Any member of the Board of Trustees may be removed at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

C. Trustees shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred while attending meetings of the trustees or performing other duties. However, such reimbursement shall not exceed the per diem rate established for members of the General Assembly pursuant to § 30-19.12.

D. The Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs shall designate a state agency to provide the Foundation with administrative and other services.

E. The trustees shall adopt bylaws governing their organization and procedures and may amend the same. The trustees shall elect from their number a chairman and such other officers as their bylaws may provide. Ex officio members shall not be eligible to serve as chairman. The trustees shall meet four times a year at such times as they deem appropriate or on call of the chairman. A majority of the voting members of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum.

F. Any person designated by the board of trustees to handle the funds of the Foundation or the Fund shall give bond, with corporate surety, in a penalty fixed by the Governor, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties. Any premium on the bond shall be paid from funds available to the Foundation.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2004, c. 697; 2006, c. 150; 2008, cc. 467, 486, 768, 872; 2009, c. 368; 2010, c. 64; 2011, cc. 780, 795, 858; 2014, cc. 115, 490.