RULES OF PROCEDURE

BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Board of Veterans Affairs (the “Board”) has been created by s.15.49, Wis.
Stats. to direct the State of Wisconsin, Department of Veterans Affairs (the
“Department”), in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapters 15 and 45,
Wisconsin Statutes, and the Statutes cited therein and in accordance with the Laws with
which the Department is required to comply (the “Statutes”), and the powers and duties
of the Board as set forth in s.15.05(1)(b), Wis. Stats. ―…shall be regulatory, advisory and
policy-making and not administrative. All of the administrative powers and duties of the
department are vested in the secretary, to be administered by him or her under the
direction of the Board.‖
These Rules of Procedure consist of a collection of Board policy statements and
policy directives, including, but not limited to, the delineation of the general rules under
which the Board and its committees, subcommittees and councils shall operate. They are
also published for the guidance of individual members of the Board, members of Board
committees, subcommittees and councils, and for the guidance of Department personnel
and for public information.

Article I – Offices
1.00. Principal Office. The principal office of the Board shall be situated in the
office of the Department in Madison, Wisconsin.

Article II – Members
2.01. General Powers. The power of the Board shall be vested in the members
thereof in office from time to time. Meetings of the members are hereinafter referred to
as Board meetings.
2.02. Members. The number of members shall be seven, nominated by the
Governor of the State of Wisconsin and with the advice and consent of the Senate
appointed as provided in the Statutes. A copy of each member’s certificate of
appointment shall be filed with the Department. The Department Secretary shall advise a
new appointee to the Board as to the proper procedure for filing the necessary documents.

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 2.03. Resignation. A member may resign at any time by filing a written
resignation with the Governor of the State of Wisconsin and a copy thereof with the
Chair. However, such member may continue to serve as a member until a successor has
been nominated by the Governor.
2.04. Expenses of Members. All members shall be reimbursed by the State of
Wisconsin within guidelines established by the Department of Administration for the
actual and necessary expenses including travel expenses incurred by them in the
discharge of their duties. Vouchers for such expenses, including proof thereof in the
form of receipts or other supporting documentation where required shall be presented to
the Department prior to payment of such expenses.
Expenses for travel outside the State of Wisconsin shall only be incurred with the
prior approval of the Chair and the reimbursement thereof shall be accomplished in the
same manner as expenses incurred within the State of Wisconsin.
2.05. Authority and Responsibility of Individual Board Members. Interim
committee work will be conducted by the assigned committees, councils and sub-
committees of the Board between regular Board meetings. The Chair of each committee
shall have the power to conduct meetings and public hearings when necessary. No
administrative functions are assigned to Board members. All acts of individual members
and committees, councils and subcommittees of the Board between meetings are
unofficial and without authority, except as specifically authorized by the Board.
Committees, councils and subcommittees are advisory bodies to the Board and shall not
take independent action without Board consent. However, nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to limit the Council on Veterans Programs from taking any independent
action that it deems appropriate.

Article III - Officers

3.01. Number. The officers of the Board shall be a Chair, Vice Chair and
Secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the members from among the members. The
members may elect such other officers and assistant officers as may be desired. No
member shall simultaneously hold more than one office and if a member is elected to or
assumes an office other than the office to which such member was previously elected,

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such member shall assume the new office and the prior office held shall be vacant until
filled by another member who is elected thereto in a special or regular election.
3.02. Election and Term of Office. The Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall be
elected annually by the members at the first regular meeting of the members held each
year. If the election cannot be held at such meeting, it shall be held at the next regular
meeting. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary shall assume office as of the adjournment
of the meeting at which they are elected. They shall hold office only while they are
members and, while members, shall hold office until their successors shall have been
duly elected and have assumed office or until death, resignation, or removal.
3.03. Removal. Any officer elected by the Board may be removed from office by
the vote of at least five members present at any meeting provided prior written notice of
at least 15 calendar days is given of the intent to seek said removal, but such removal
shall be without prejudice to the right of the person so removed to continue to serve as a
member.
3.04. Chair. The Chair shall preside, and shall vote on all matters, at all meetings
of the Board. The Chair may present to the Board such matters as, in the Chair’s
judgment, require attention, and shall perform such other duties as are entrusted to the
Chair by the Statutes or these Rules of Procedure. In general, the Chair shall perform all
duties incident to the office of the Chair and such other duties as may be prescribed by
the Board from time to time. The Chair with the approval of the Board, shall submit such
reports to the Governor and the Legislature as requested. The Chair may be an ex-officio
member of any councils, committees and subcommittees appointed by the Board as
provided for in these Rules of Procedure and/or their Addenda and shall be a voting
member thereof; however, in such cases, the Chair shall not count toward the maximum
number of council, committee and subcommittee members as provided for in the addenda
to the Rules of Procedure.
3.05. Vice Chair. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall perform the
duties of the Chair, and when so acting shall have all the powers and authority of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the Chair. The Vice Chair shall perform such duties
and have such authority as from time to time may be delegated or assigned by the Chair
or by the Board. The execution of any instrument of the Board by the Vice Chair shall be

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conclusive evidence, as to third parties, of the Vice Chair’s authority to act in the stead of
the Chair. In the event the Chair ceases to be a Board member or in the event of the
Chair’s death, resignation or permanent inability to act, the Vice Chair shall assume the
office of Chair for any remaining term.
3.06. Special Elections. The Board shall elect officers to fill any officer vacancy
at any regular meeting or special meeting of the Board provided at least 7 calendar days
prior written notice has been given.

Article IV - Department Secretary

4.01. General Powers. The Department Secretary is vested by s.15.05(1)(b),
Wis. Stats. with the administrative powers and duties of the Department subject to and in
accordance with the policies established by and the directions provided by the Board and
under the rules and regulations of the Department, and is given the power, with the
approval of the Board, to establish rules for administering the Department. The Secretary
shall: (a) see that all notices related to activities of the Board are duly given in
accordance with the provisions of these Rules of Procedures or as required by the Statutes
and (b) ensure that the seal of the Department is affixed to all documents the execution of
which on behalf of the Board under its seal is duly authorized.
4.02. Minutes. The Department Secretary under the direction of the Board
Secretary shall cause the minutes of Board, Board committee and subcommittee and
CVSO Advisory Council meetings to be prepared.
4.03. Mailing of Agenda and Minutes. At least 7 days prior to each regularly
scheduled Board meeting, the Department Secretary shall mail to each member the
agenda for the next regular Board meeting and such other material as the Chair or the
Board have requested. At least 30 days prior to each regular Board meeting, the
Department Secretary shall mail to each member the draft unapproved minutes of the last
regular Board, Board committee and subcommittee and CVSO Advisory Council
meetings. Within 14 days of each special Board meeting, the Department Secretary shall
mail to each member the draft unapproved minutes of the special Board meeting.
4.04. Distribution of Draft Minutes. The unapproved minutes of the Board,
Board committees and subcommittees and the CVSO Advisory Council shall be prepared

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with a clear and distinct watermark on each page disclosing that the document consists of
draft unapproved minutes. With the exception of the unapproved minutes of closed
sessions of the Board, copies of watermarked, draft unapproved minutes shall be deemed
public records and shall be made available, upon request, to anyone who requests them.
4.05. Distribution of Approved Minutes. The approved minutes of the Board,
Board committee, Board subcommittee and CVSO Advisory Council meetings shall be
sent to the following, in addition to the Board members, in the most cost effective and
efficient manner: the Office of the Governor; Chair, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee;
Chair, Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee; Legislative Fiscal Bureau;
Department of Administration; Board committees and subcommittees; the Council on
Veterans Programs; the CVSO Advisory Council; other individuals designated by the
Chair or the Department Secretary; and any individual and organization who requests
them. Within 7 days of the approval of the draft minutes, as corrected if necessary, the
minutes shall be posted on the Department’s website.
4.06. Attendance at Board Meetings. The Department Secretary or, in the
Department Secretary’s absence, the Department Deputy Secretary, shall attend all Board
meetings. The Department Secretary may require the attendance at Board meetings of
such employees on the Department staff as the Chair or Department Secretary deems
necessary to ensure that the Board will have access to information pertinent to items
scheduled on the meeting agenda. The Department Secretary may require the
Department staff to provide information requested of the Department Secretary by the
Chair or the Board. Any member of the Board, through the Board Chair, who desires a
specific employee of the Department present for a meeting shall request in writing at least
7 calendar days prior to the meeting that said employee be present and the reason for the
request; and the Department Secretary will endeavor to ensure the employee’s presence.
4.07. Authority and Responsibilities of the Department Secretary. In
accordance with s.15.05(1)(b), Wis. Stats., all of the administrative powers and duties of
the Department are vested in the Secretary under the direction of the Board. The
Department Secretary shall also function as head of the Department between Board
meetings, operating within and pursuant to the statutorily delegated authority and

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jurisdiction of the Department, but does not have the authority to make administrative
rules.
The Department Secretary shall represent the Department in its relations with all
persons and bodies whether they are private individuals or other state and federal
agencies. The responsibility and duty to represent the Department may be delegated by
the Secretary to other Department personnel.
Routine and special reports requested by the Board, along with full record
keeping and preparation of transcripts of Board meetings disclosing the appearances
before it, discussions at Board meetings and actions of the Board, shall be prepared by
and be the responsibility of the Department Secretary. The Department Secretary shall
also prepare a summary of the action of the Board and its committees, councils and
subcommittees to be distributed in lieu of or in addition to transcripts. Recordings of
Board meetings and the meetings of its committees, subcommittees and councils that
serve as the basis for transcripts and minutes of such meetings shall be retained by the
Department for at least the period of time required by state statute or administrative law
from the date of the meetings.
4.08. Selection of Department Secretary. When a Department Secretary retires
or is replaced or removed, the Board shall appoint a new Department Secretary in
accordance with s.15.05(1)(b), Wis. Stats. who shall perform the duties set forth in
s.15.05(1)(b) and Ch. 45, and as otherwise provided by law. The Department Secretary
shall be a veteran, as defined at s.45.01(12). The Board Chair may, with the approval of
a majority of Board members present at a meeting, designate a special committee to
solicit nominations and review applicants for the position of Department Secretary.
Recruitment for the position may include a national search for qualified applicants in a
manner determined by the Board and shall include, but not be limited to, advertisements
in publications of state and national veterans service organizations, publications of the
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs or its successor organization,
and Wisconsin newspapers of general circulation. Appointment of the new Department
Secretary shall be by an affirmative vote of at least five Board members present at a
meeting.

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 4.09. Acting Department Secretary when Position of Department Secretary
Vacant. When the position of Department Secretary is vacant as a result of retirement,
death, replacement or removal, the Deputy Secretary shall serve as Acting Department
Secretary pursuant to s.15.04(2), Wis. Stats. pending the Board’s selection of a successor
Department Secretary. If the position of Deputy Secretary is also vacant, or if the Deputy
Secretary declines or is unable to serve as Acting Department Secretary, the Board Chair
shall appoint, with the approval of a majority of Board members present at a meeting, a
Department Secretary pending the Board’s selection of a permanent Department
Secretary.
4.10. Acting Department Secretary when Department Secretary Incapaci-
tated or on Extended Leave. When the Department Secretary is incapacitated as
determined by the Board or is on leave or absent for what is expected to be at least 30
days, the Deputy Secretary shall serve as Acting Department Secretary pursuant to
s.1504(2), Wis. Stats.
4.11. Authority and Responsibilities of the Acting Department Secretary.
When as provided for in Section 4.09 or 4.10, an Acting Secretary assumes the position,
he or she shall do so with all of the authorities and responsibilities granted to the
Department Secretary in Section 4.08 and state statute. During the period within which
an Acting Secretary assumes the position due to incapacity, leave or absence of the
Department Secretary as provided for in Section 4.10, the Department Secretary shall
have no authority or responsibilities until the Department Secretary’s incapacity no
longer exists as determined by the Board or he or she returns from leave status or his or
her absence as provided for in Section 4.10.
4.12. Replacement or Removal of Department Secretary. The Department
Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Board outside of the classified service, as provided
at s.15.05(1)(b), Wis. Stats. The Department Secretary may be replaced or removed from
office only by a vote of at least five Board members present at any Board meeting.

Article V - Meetings
5.01. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held in the
months of February, April, June, August, October and December. The regular February

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meeting shall be held in Madison; the regular June meeting shall be held at the Wisconsin
Veterans Home at King; the regular December meeting shall be held at the Wisconsin
Veterans Home at Union Grove; and in odd-numbered years, the regular April meeting
shall be in Madison. At all regular meetings any and all business of the Board may be
transacted. The Board shall approve by a majority vote the schedule of meetings for the
upcoming year no later than the last scheduled Board meeting of each calendar year.
5.02. Special Meetings. Special Board meetings may be called by the Chair or
by at least two members. A special meeting may only be called if the Chair or the
members calling the special meeting set forth in writing the reasons why the matters to be
addressed at the special meeting cannot wait to be acted upon at the next regularly
scheduled Board meeting. The Chair or members calling any special meeting shall
prescribe the time and location thereof in the notice.
5.03. Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of each special Board meeting shall be
given by email, or by written notice delivered personally or mailed to each member at
such address as the member shall have designated to the Board and Department, in each
case not less than 24 hours prior to the time of the meeting specified in the notice or 2
hours in the case of an emergency or in accordance with s.19.84, Wis. Stats. If mailed
via postal mail, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United
States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If emailed, such notice shall be
deemed delivered unless the email is returned as undeliverable. Whenever any notice
whatever is required to be given to any member under the Rules of Procedure or any
provision of law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed at any time whether before or after
the time of meeting by the member entitled to such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to
the giving of such notice. The attendance of a member at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting. The business to be transacted at any special Board
meeting shall be specified in the notice of such meeting, and no business other than that
specified in the notice shall be transacted at a special meeting.
5.04. Agenda. The Board Chair shall establish the agenda for Board meetings.
With the Board Chair’s concurrence, agenda items that the Department Secretary requests
to have included in the agenda shall be incorporated. All agenda items which the Board
Chair is requested to include by any member of the Board shall also be incorporated. The

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Department Secretary shall distribute the agenda as provided for herein upon the final
approval of the agenda by the Board Chair.
5.05. Quorum. Four Board members shall constitute a quorum and no formal
business may be transacted unless a quorum is present. When fewer than four members
are present, the meeting shall be deemed a conference of the Board and its deliberations
considered as expressions of opinion by the individual Board members and consideration
of information presented by the Department and others present.
5.06. Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise expressly provided in these Rules
of Procedure, action shall be taken by the Board upon a vote of a majority of the
members present at a meeting and the same shall be the action of the Board. The voting
on all matters at a meeting for which a roll call vote is requested shall be by yeas and
nays and the yeas and nays shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting. All motions
shall be presented in writing or reduced to writing during or after the meeting, and shall
be entered in full in the minutes of the meeting.
5.07. Conduct of Meetings. The Chair or, in the absence of the Chair the Vice
Chair or, in the absence of both, the Board Secretary, or in the absence of all three, any
member chosen by the members present, shall call the meetings of the Board to order and
shall act as Chair of the meetings. The Board Secretary shall act as Secretary of all
meetings of the Board. In the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer may appoint
any member present to act as Secretary of the meeting. The Secretary shall direct the
Department to prepare minutes of all Board meetings. Any subject matter regarding
procedure not covered by these Rules of Procedure will be covered by Roberts Rules of
Order. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Wisconsin’s Open Meeting Law
and in accordance with the following provisions: (a) The Board shall allow for public
input in a consistent manner to assure that people are dealt with equitably and to facilitate
the proceedings of the Board; (b) Public input may follow initial Board discussion on a
particular agenda item; (c) If the Board Chair is concerned about the length of the agenda
and the time, time limits may be placed on public speakers but should be announced in
advance of anyone speaking on a specific issue. Members of the public who anticipate
speaking on any agenda item or items may be requested to complete a registration form
identifying who they are and on what topic or topics they wish to speak.

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 5.08. Action on Motions Pertaining to Legislative Issues and Promulgation of
Administrative Rules. Except as provided in this paragraph, a motion pertaining to
legislative issues or administrative rule promulgation, amendment, or repeal shall not be
acted upon by the Board until the motion is first considered by the Legislative & Program
Review Committee. The Board may take action on a motion pertaining to legislative
issues or administrative rules without prior consideration by the Legislative & Program
Review Committee when the Board determines immediate action is required. Before the
public hearing for the creation, amendment, or repeal of an administrative rule is
considered by the Board, all Board members shall be provided with a written statement
summarizing the proposed rule, amendment, or repeal; references to all statutes
interpreted by the proposed or existing rule; a brief rationale for the proposal; and an
estimate of the fiscal effect.
5.09. Board Action on Resolutions Submitted by Veterans Organizations.
The Board strongly encourages the submission of resolutions and other recommendations
by Wisconsin veterans organizations. Subject to initial review by the Legislative &
Program Review Committee unless the Board determines immediate action is required,
the Board may approve, reject or receive and file a resolution submitted by a Wisconsin
veterans organization only if the organization explicitly requests formal action on the
resolution and an authorized representative of the veterans organization appears at the
Board meeting during which the matter is considered. In any case, upon proper notice,
the Board may take any action it desires on a separate motion relating to the subject
matter of a resolution submitted by a Wisconsin veterans organization.

Article VI – Committees, Subcommittees and Councils

6.01. General. In this Article of the Rules of Procedure, the Board shall set forth:
(1) the composition of the committees, subcommittees and councils it establishes, (2) the
areas or matters concerning which such committees, subcommittees and councils shall
advise the Board, (3) the specific duties and responsibilities the Board expects them to
perform and discharge, and (4) such other matters as the Board deems relevant to
individual committees, subcommittees and councils.

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 6.02. Appointment of Members. Any non-Board members of committees,
subcommittees and councils established by the Board who are not appointed to
membership thereon by representative bodies designated by the Board, and who are not
members thereof by virtue of their positions’ representative bodies, shall be nominated by
the Board Chair and, with the advice and consent of the Board, appointed to serve for one
year terms commencing with the adjournment of the April Board meeting in the year
following their appointments and may be appointed to serve on the same committee or
subcommittee for not more than three consecutive one year terms. Any non-Board
members of councils established by the Board who are not appointed to membership
thereon by representative bodies designated by the Board, and who are not members
thereof by virtue of their positions with the representative bodies, shall be nominated by
the Board Chair and, with the advice and consent of the Board, appointed to serve for
terms set forth in this Article. These non-Board members may be removed from their
positions on committees, subcommittees and councils during their terms of appointment
upon the vote of at least five Board members present at any meeting. The Board Chair
may appoint Board members to serve at the Board Chair’s pleasure as members of
committees, subcommittees and councils established by the Board. Where members of
committees, subcommittees and councils are appointed by representative bodies
designated by the Board, the Board may, at its pleasure, terminate the power of specific
representative bodies to designate members of such committees, subcommittees or
councils thereby terminating the right of individuals appointed by such representative
bodies to be vested with the power to appoint members to committees, subcommittees
and councils. All Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees and subcommittees shall be
Board members.
6.03. Establishment and Termination. Board committees, subcommittees and
councils shall be established by the Board and may subsequently be terminated by the
Board by amendment of these Rules as provided for in Article VIII of these Rules of
Procedure. This section shall not preclude the Board Chair, with the consent of the
Board, from establishing informal working groups of no more than three members to
facilitate the orderly performance of the Board’s statutory authority and responsibilities.

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 6.04. Expenses of Members. All members of committees, subcommittees and
councils shall be reimbursed by the State of Wisconsin within guidelines established by
the Department of Administration for the actual and necessary expenses including travel
expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their duties. Vouchers for such expenses,
including proof thereof in the form of receipts or other supporting documentation where
required shall be presented to the Department for payment. Expenses for travel outside
the State of Wisconsin shall only be incurred with the prior approval of the Chair and the
Secretary of the Department and reimbursement thereof shall be accomplished in the
same manner as expenses incurred within the State of Wisconsin.
6.05. Committees, Subcommittees and Councils—General Rules.
(1) The Chair and other officers of committees and subcommittees shall be
appointed by the Board Chair and shall serve as committee and subcommittee officers at
the pleasure of the Board Chair.
(2) A majority of the members of a committee or subcommittee, including the
Board Chair if the Chair is sitting as an ex-officio voting member of the committee or
subcommittee, shall constitute a quorum.
(3) A majority of the members of a council shall constitute a quorum.
(4) Committees shall meet at such times and places as the Board specifies in this
Article.
(5) The following committees, subcommittees and councils are created by the
Board: Finance Committee; Legislative & Program Review Committee; Long Term Care
Committee; and the CVSO Advisory Council.
(6) The Board Chair and, in the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair, shall be an
ex-officio voting member of the Finance Committee, the Legislative & Program Review
Committee and the Long Term Care Committee and shall be counted as a member of
these committees for quorum purposes but shall not be counted as a part of the maximum
membership of these committees unless appointed to membership thereon in the case of
the Vice Chair. The Department Secretary may be an ex-officio non-voting member of
such committees at the request of the Board, Board Chair or the Committee Chair and
shall not be counted as a member thereof for quorum or maximum membership purposes.

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 (7) Committees and subcommittees are created and members are appointed by the
Board to serve at the Board’s direction. Not all issues related to a committee’s potential
subject area are required to go through a committee before being dealt with by the Board
except as provided for in Sections 5.08 and 5.09 above. The Board may take up, consider
and act on matters on its own initiative without referring them to a committee.
(8) The responsibilities of Board committees and subcommittees as delineated in
this Article are not exclusive of each other and may be concurrent. When committees
and subcommittees share concurrent responsibilities, it shall be the responsibility of the
respective committee and subcommittee chairs, with the assistance of the Board Chair
when necessary, to coordinate the efforts of their respective committees and
subcommittees to maximize efficiency and minimize duplication of efforts.
(9) The Secretary of the Department reports and is accountable to the Board. If
the Secretary, due to considerations of timeliness or for other reasons, believes that a
matter should be brought directly to the Board, the Secretary may do so with the
concurrence of the Board Chair.
(10) Committee and subcommittee agendas shall be established by their
respective chairs in consultation with the Board Chair.
(11) Minutes of Board committees, subcommittees and councils shall be prepared
in draft form in a manner consistent with the preparation of Board minutes as provided
for in Sections 4.04 and 4.05 above.
(12) All committee meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the
substantive provisions of items (a), (b), and (c) of Section 5.07, Conduct of Meetings.
6.06. Finance Committee
(1) Functions. The Finance Committee is created by the Board to advise it on
financial matters including, but not limited to, the management of the Department’s loan
portfolios, the Veterans Trust Fund, the Veterans Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund, and
the various funds created under revenue bond indentures and resolutions. This committee
shall consider programs, policies adopted by the Board for the administration of the
Department’s loan programs, the needs of veterans and their dependents and how well
these needs are being met by such programs and propose legislation and administrative
code changes to establish new or modify existing loan programs so as to address these

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needs. It shall specifically consider the delinquency rates on the Department’s loan
portfolios, the status of the above funds in relation to the probable demand for benefit
disbursements from such funds with special emphasis on the Veterans Mortgage Loan
Repayment Fund and the Self-Insurance Account, which is a part thereof.
(2) Membership. This committee shall consist of not more than 12 members, at
least two of whom shall be Board members.
(3) Meetings. Regular meetings of the committee shall be held on the same day
as Board meetings or on the day preceding Board meetings. Special meetings may be
called at any time by the Board Chair or by the Committee Chair by delivery of at least
72 hours advance notice in writing or by email to all of the members, setting forth the
time, date, place and agenda of the meeting and no business other than that specified in
the notice shall be transacted at a special meeting unless requisite notice is provided as
required by law.
6.07. Long Term Care Committee
(1) Functions. The Long Term Care Committee is created by the Board to advise
it on all matters including, but not limited to, policies adopted by the Board for the
administration of the Department’s long term care facilities at King and Union Grove,
issues relating to the proper operation and administration of the facilities, the needs of the
members of the facilities, proposed building and renovation programs for the facilities,
the operational finances of the facilities, and requests for the disbursement of funds from
the gifts and bequests fund for the purposes of the facilities, and any other matters related
to the Department’s long term care facilities.
(2) Membership. There shall be not more than 12 members on the Long Term
Care Committee, at least 2 of whom shall be Board members.
(3) Meetings. Regular meetings of the committee shall be held on the same day
as Board meetings or on the day preceding Board meetings. Special meetings may be
called at any time by the Board Chair or Committee Chair by delivery of at least 72 hours
advance notice in writing or by email to all of the members, setting forth the time, date,
place and agenda of the meeting and no business other than that specified in the notice
shall be transacted at a special meeting unless requisite notice is provided as required by
law.

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 6.08. Legislative & Program Review Committee
(1) Functions. The Legislative & Program Review Committee is created by the
Board to advise it on all matters pertaining to legislation, administrative rules, veterans
organization related resolutions, and/or other matters of concern to veterans and the
Department in program areas not specifically assigned to the Long Term Care and
Finance Committees. This committee shall consider matters including, but not limited to,
proposed legislative and administrative rule changes relating to the Department, veterans
and their dependents including changes recommended by the Board, the Department,
veterans organizations, members of the committee and others, and shall recommend
legislation and administrative rules to be proposed by and/or acted upon by the Board.
The committee shall take into consideration the needs of veterans’ programs and propose
legislation and/or administrative rules to establish new programs or to modify existing
programs to address these needs and shall advise the Board on legislative or
administrative rule changes which the committee believes best meet these needs after
considering all factors including budgetary and policy implications.
Resolutions submitted by Wisconsin veterans service organizations and state and
regional CVSO Associations shall be initially considered by the committee, unless the
Board determines otherwise. The Board strongly encourages the submission of
resolutions and other recommendations by Wisconsin veterans organizations. The
committee may take formal action to recommend to the Board the approval or rejection
of a resolution submitted by a Wisconsin veterans organization only if the organization
explicitly requests such formal action and an authorized representative of the
organization appears at the committee meeting at which the resolution is considered. In
any case, the committee, upon proper notice, may take action on a separate motion
relating to the subject matter of a resolution submitted by a Wisconsin veterans
organization.
(2) Membership. This committee shall consist of no more than 12 members, at
least 2 of whom shall be Board members.
(3) Meetings. Meetings of the committee shall be held on the same day as Board
meetings or on the day preceding Board meetings. Special meetings may be called at any
time by the Board Chair or by the Committee Chair by delivery of at least 72 hours

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advance notice in writing or by email to all of the members, setting forth the time, date,
place and agenda of the meeting and no business other than that specified in the notice
shall be transacted at a special meeting unless requisite notice is provided as required by
law.
6.09. County Veterans Service Officers Advisory Council
(1) Functions. The council shall advise and make recommendations to the Board
and the Department on all matters relating to veterans or their dependents which the
council considers significant or which the Board or the Department has requested the
council to consider and may make recommendations to the Board and the Department
concerning the administration, creation and modification of state veterans benefit
programs.
(2) Membership. There shall be no more than nine County Veterans Service
Officer members of the council of which at least one representative, other than the
current President of the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin shall
be from each of the four regional CVSO Associations recognized by the County Veterans
Service Officers Association of Wisconsin, subject to the right of current members to
maintain membership under paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) of this section.
(3) Appointment & Terms. The President of the County Veterans Service
Officers Association of Wisconsin shall be a member of this council by virtue of holding
the office of President and shall nominate the other service officers for appointment to the
council subject to the Board’s concurrence. Regular County Veterans Service Officer
members of the council shall be appointed to serve for staggered four-year terms. No
council member may be reappointed to serve for a consecutive term. Current members of
the council shall serve their terms unless they die, resign, are removed by the Board or
cease to be County Veterans Service Officers.
(4) Officers
a. Number. The officers of the council shall be a Chair and Vice Chair, each of
whom shall be elected by the members from among the members.
b. Election and Term of Office. The Chair and Vice Chair shall be elected
annually by the members at the regular meeting of the members held in August of each
year. The Chair and Vice Chair shall hold office only while they are members and while

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members shall hold office until the successor of each shall be duly elected or until death,
resignation, or removal of the officer.
c. Removal. Any officer elected by the council may be removed from office by
the vote of at least seven members present at any meeting but such removal shall be
without prejudice to the right of the person so removed to continue to serve as a member.
d. Chair. The Chair shall preside and shall vote on all matters at all meetings of
the council. The Chair may present to the council such matters as, in the Chair’s
judgment, require attention and shall perform such other duties as are entrusted to the
Chair by the Board of Veterans Affairs, the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Veterans
Affairs or the Board Chair. In general, the Chair shall perform all duties incident to the
office of the Chair and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the council
from time to time. The Chair may be an ex-officio, non-voting member of any
committees appointed by the council.
e. Vice Chair. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall perform the
duties of the Chair, and when so acting shall have all the powers and authority of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the Chair. The Vice Chair shall perform such duties
and have such authority as from time to time may be delegated or assigned by the Chair
or the council. In the event the Chair ceases to be a council member or in the event of the
Chair’s death, resignation or inability to act, the Vice Chair shall assume the office of
Chair for any remaining term.
f. Special Elections. Nothing shall prohibit the council from electing officers to
fill any vacancy among the officers at any regular meeting or special meeting of the
council when at least seven calendar days prior notice of such election(s) has been
provided.
(5) Term of Association President. A President of the County Veterans Service
Officers Association of Wisconsin who is not serving a term as a regular member of the
council shall be a member of the council only during his or her tenure as President. A
President of the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin who is also
serving a term as a regular member of the council shall remain a member of the council
for his or her regular term or during his or her tenure as President, whichever is longer.

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 (6) Meetings. Regular meetings of the council shall be held on the same day as
the Board meetings or on the day preceding Board meetings, except in those months in
which the CVSO Association of Wisconsin holds its Spring and Fall conferences, in
which case the meetings shall be held in conjunction with the conferences. A meeting
may be cancelled or held at an alternative time with the concurrence of the Board Chair.
Special meetings may be called by the council Chair with the concurrence of the Board
Chair in writing or by email to all of the members, setting forth the time, date, place and
agenda of the meeting and no business other than that specified in the notice shall be
transacted at a special meeting unless requisite notice is provided as required by law. All
meetings of the council shall be conducted in accordance with these rules and, when
applicable, Robert’s Rules of Order.
(7) Agenda. The council agenda shall be prepared by the council Chair in
consultation with the Department Secretary and with the concurrence of the Board Chair.
The Chair shall give consideration to suggestions by the Board Chair and the Department
Secretary for agenda items and shall transmit the agenda to the Board Chair and
Department Secretary two weeks before each regular meeting. Additional agenda items
may subsequently be added by the council Chair provided that statutory notice
requirements are met. The Department shall send copies of the agenda to all County
Veterans Service Officers at least one week before each regular meeting.

Article VII – Council on Veterans Programs

7.01. Functions. The council has been created by s.15.497, Wis. Stats. to advise
the Board and the Department on solutions and policy alternatives relating to the
problems of veterans and shall advise the Board and the Department on veterans
programs and policies and any other matters related to veterans or their dependents which
the council considers significant or which the Board or Department has requested the
council to consider. It is not an expectation of the Board that all issues on the Board’s
agenda will be discussed by the council, although its advise on any issues of concern to
veterans organizations is encouraged.
7.02. Meetings. Regular meetings of the council should be held on the same day
or on the day preceding Board meetings. Special meetings may be called in the manner

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established by council protocol by delivery of at least 72 hours advance notice in writing
or by email to all of the members, setting forth the time, date, place and agenda of the
meeting and no business other than that specified in the notice shall be transacted at a
special meeting unless requisite notice is provided as required by law. As a courtesy to
the Board and the public that may come to attend the regular Board meeting, council
action should be completed or temporarily suspended at least 15 minutes prior to the
noticed commencement of the Board meeting so that the Board meeting may start
promptly at the time noticed. All actions intended to be advisory to the Board should be
completed prior to that time. All meetings of the council should be conducted in
accordance with the council’s protocol and these rules and, when these rules are silent,
Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VIII - Amendments

8.00. Modifications, Amendments, Repeal; Notice. These Rules of
Procedure and any Addenda to them may be modified amended or repealed and such
modification, amendment or repeal of any portion of the Rules of Procedure shall be
adopted upon an affirmative vote of five members present at any meeting provided that
notice of each proposed change or addition hereto has been delivered personally, emailed
or mailed to each member at such address as the member shall have designated to the
Board and Department, not less than 10 days prior to the time of the meeting at which the
proposed modification, amendment or repeal is to be considered.

Article IX – Custodian of Records

9.00. The Board Records Custodian shall be the same person who is appointed
from time to time by the Department Secretary to be the Department of Veterans Affairs
Records Custodian. The Board’s Records Custodian shall, in a timely manner, generally
advise the Board Chair of public records requests for Board documents and the
disposition of those requests.

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 Article X - Camp Randall Memorial Park
10.00. The Board shall approve, recommend or veto any proposed plans,
modifications and changes or policies with respect to Camp Randall Memorial Park
under s.45.70(2), Wis. Stats. only upon the vote of at least five Board members at the
meeting or meetings where such proposed plans, modifications and changes or policies
are acted upon by the Board.

Article XI - Seal
11.00. The Seal of the Department shall be the official Seal of the Board.

Article XII - Miscellaneous

12.01. Inconsistencies and Additional Provisions. In the event that these Rules
of Procedure, or any provisions herein contained, should in any manner be contrary to or
in violation of the provisions of the statutes or other laws of the State of Wisconsin, the
provisions of the statutes or laws of the State of Wisconsin shall prevail.
12.02. Severability. Unless otherwise expressly provided, if any one or more of
the provisions of any action of the Board should be determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be contrary to law, then such provision or provisions shall be deemed and
construed to be severable from the remaining provisions therein contained and shall in no
way affect the validity of the other provisions of such action.
12.03. Headings. Any heading preceding the texts of the several articles and
sections of these Rules of Procedure and any heading or portion thereof of any action of
the Board and any table of contents or marginal notes appended thereto, shall be solely
for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of such article, section or
action, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

2/19/10

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