Oregon veterans and members of the public have an opportunity to engage with decision-makers regarding veteran affairs, as the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs announces its first Veterans Advisory Committee meeting of the year, to be held virtually on March 5. Commencing at 9:30 a.m., the meeting will transition to a town hall at 11 a.m., inviting public participation, shared ODVA's news release.

The committee, comprising nine military veteran members appointed by the governor from all corners of the state, reliably plays a critical role in advising the ODVA. The established town hall serves as an arena for the community to raise concerns, laying stones for fruitful dialogue on wide-ranging veteran issues. Following every business meeting, the cornerstone of which remains the committee's advice, the public town hall provides an opportunity for individuals to contribute their voices, as reported by ODVA.

Interested participants wishing to attend either the business or town hall portions of the meeting can register online through a provided Microsoft Teams link. During the session, participants are invited to engage actively; turning on cameras and unmuting mics are options available during the recorded town hall, which will subsequently be made public online. Information on the registration process is outlined in the official announcement.

Those unable to attend the meeting can still express their opinions by emailing the committee at [email protected]. The Advisory Committee's regular interactions with the community, decided by the importance it attaches to such matters, are scheduled quarterly. Details about the Advisory Committee, including meeting materials, can be found on the ODVA's official website, stated ODVA.