Annual Report

2010
Letter from the Director

T he Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) is extremely grateful for the pleasure of having worked with such dedicated and helpful supporters this year. VAVS enjoyed numerous successes and faced new challenges, all with the invaluable help of our community dedicated to serving America’s Veterans. 

The 2010 Annual Report includes the VAVS mission, our program statistics, and our current priorities and accomplishments, in addition to our future goals. This information alone does not encompass the full impact of volunteers in VA. Volunteers, along with other members of our community, 

dedicate themselves to bettering the lives of Veterans by assisting with projects as varied as improving health care services and accessibility and increasing quality of life. 

I would like to extend the sincerest thanks to those who make the goals of VAVS a reality. 

Without the help of the volunteers, our staff, our community partners and organizations, and the generous contributions of all our supporters, our work at VAVS would not be possible. The future of VAVS, and the care of our 

nation’s Veterans, relies on the continued dedication of our network of allies.

Thank you again for all you do to better serve America’s heroes.

 

 Laura B. Balun 

 Director, Voluntary Service Offi ce

What Is VAVS?

T he Department of Veterans Aff airs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program, one of the largest volunteer program in the Federal government, has provided 64 years of service to America’s Veterans seeking care in VA health care facilities. Since 

1946, VAVS volunteers have donated over 724 million hours of service. With more than 350 national and community organizations supporting the program, VAVS is also advised by a National Advisory 

Committee, composed of 60 major Veteran, civic, and service organizations.

VAVS volunteers and their organizations contribute gifts and donations, which 

supplement VA appropriations to medical centers, clinics, and community living 

centers. These signifi cant contributions allow the Department of Veterans Aff airs 

to assist direct patient care programs, as well as support services and activities that 

may not be fi scal priorities from year to year. In the past, volunteer contributions 

and donations combined have exceeded $368,728,913 yearly. 

As VA has expanded its care of Veteran patients into the community, volunteer 

roles have also expanded. They assist Veteran patients by augmenting staff in medical care foster homes and respite programs, as well as hospital units, community 

living centers, outpatient clinics, community-based activities, and palliative care 

programs. Volunteers are also providing assistance at our VA national cemeteries, 

Veterans outreach centers, and VA regional offi ces.

Our Mission

To provide a structured 

Volunteer Program under 

the management of VA 

compensated employees 

in cooperation with community resources to serve 

America’s Veterans and 

their families with dignity 

and compassion.

T he National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the Department of Veterans Aff airs Voluntay Service was established by VA 

Circular No. 117, May 17, 1947, and became a Federally chartered advisory committee on February 5, 1975.

The NAC provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Aff airs, through the Undersecretary of Health, on the coordination 

and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities, along with other matters relating to volunteerism. It 

also keeps the offi cers and members of participating organizations informed of volunteer needs and accomplishments.

The NAC Executive Committee is made up of 19 member organizations that monitor and perform oversight of the NAC 

membership policies and procedures. Members of the Executive Committee are appointed by the Chairman of the NAC.

VAVS National Advisory Committee

Laura B. Balun, Director

Voluntary Service Offi ce
FY 2010 Priorities and Accomplishments

Training and Orientation Materials

Continue to coordinate training and orientation materials for volunteers on the Internet.

Encourage fi eld facilities to include outpatients when 

planning their National Salute to Veterans programs

Develop additional recruitment materials for VA facilities and NAC members.

Develop Recruitment Materials

Develop a dashboard to show the impact of volunteers 

in their assignments at local VA facilities.

Impact of Volunteers

Cultivate abilities to automate NAC activities.

Automate NAC Activities

Working closely with local facility Learning Management System (LMS) Coordinators, VAVS has increased the 

number of volunteers that are able to accomplish mandatory trainings. Most volunteers may now log into the 

LMS package via Internet and complete trainings such as Computer Security, Privacy Act and Prevention of 

Sexual Harassment.

VAVS continues to develop unique and forward thinking volunteer recruitment tools. Besides the creation of 

pamphlets, brochures and handbooks, we are investigating how the Internet can continue to be part of our 

recruitment. Through guest articles on Facebook and Twitter to video spot on VA’s YouTube channel, we are 

exploring every avenue.

Although the impact volunteers have on patient care and our 

Veterans wellbeing can be intangible, VAVS has been working to create tools for fi eld staff to assist them in showing the 

value and impact volunteers have on their medical center and 

Veterans. Through patient surveys, volunteer task groups and 

patient, volunteer and staff committees, VA volunteers impact 

on VA can be measured. 

VAVS Central Offi ce continues to work with other services to garner support for the upgrade and development 

of a more robust Voluntary Service System (VSS). This web-based time-keeping package is integral to the 

management of VA’s volunteers.

With the creation of the Valentines for Veterans concert series 

two years ago, the National Salute to Veteran Patients program’s 

inclusion of VA outpatients has grown exponentially. From one 

concert featuring Little Anthony and the Imperials in 2009 to 

17 concerts in 2011. Local VAVS offi ces and their volunteers 

worked long hours in preparation for these concerts and over 

41,433 individuals attended. This is just one of the many ways 

VAVS includes VA outpatients in our program. Through this program 358 individuals signed up as volunteers.

Outpatient Inclusion
Department of Veterans Aff airs

Voluntary Service

810 Vermont Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20420

202.461.7300 ph

202.495.5323 fax

l

FY 2011 Priorities

• With patient-centered care in 

mind, develop volunteer assignments around concierge 

services.

• Develop tools for VAVS to have 

a standard look to the volunteer folder.

• Provide opportunities for volunteers to assist in Veterans Benefi ts Administration.

• Develop assignments to 

support Patient Aligned Care 

Teams(PACT).

Veterans Concerts

A Veterans Appreciation and Welcome Home Celebration

In 2010, 11 concerts were held across the nation as part of 

National Salute to Veteran Patients, an annual recognition by 

the Department of Veterans Aff airs to honor men and women 

who served this country. National Salute honors Veterans and 

promotes volunteerism at VA medical centers and clinics across 

the country. 

A Valentines for Veterans Concert was held in Baltimore and featured a performance by Anthony and the Imperials. The concert 

also served as the fourth annual Welcome Home Celebration for 

returning Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan in the Baltimore 

area.

In addition to honoring Veterans, the events provide important 

information about VA health care services and volunteer opportunities.