Charter

Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) Web Governance Board (WGB).

This Charter defines the function, membership and procedures of VA’s WGB.

To revise current charter, establish and implement an enterprise-wide WGB within VA. Update purpose, goal, objectives, membership, roles and responsibilities, and added a Web Based Decision (WBD) Memo.

In accordance with VA Directive 6102, Internet and Intranet Services, the WGB will implement web governance using an open and transparent process to communicate and foster collaboration among VA organizations through web governance policy, information and messaging, tools, and technology.

The WGB shall:

1. Serves as the principal entity which acts on the Secretary’s behalf with respect to VA web governance.
2. Acts as the final authority on all web governance-related content outlined in VA directives, policies, and standards.
3. Report to the VA Chief Information Officer (CIO) on web-related technology priorities and the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA) Assistant Secretary on all matters pertaining to the dissemination of information and the effectiveness of VA’s web communications.
4. Make recommendations on the use of the Internet and Intranet services within VA to the VA CIO. Coordinate web efforts between entities and organizations across the enterprise.
5. Escalate requests to the VA CIO for non-va.gov domains and use of non-VA business. Raise issues and request input and guidance from the CIO for issues beyond the scope of the VA WGB.
6. Monitor VA web registry certifications.
7. Promote shared training resources and planning across Administrations and Staff Offices. Maintain liaisons with Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Web Communication Offices and other key officials, to ensure effective dissemination of VA information via the Internet and Intranet.
8. Provide communications oversight to web activities within their respective organizations as established in this directive and as designated by their respective organizations.
9. Develop and maintain Internet and Intranet websites that provide additional Department-wide guidance for content management, technical management, best practices, standards and requirements for VA-funded websites.
10. Ensure the uniform application of the requirements, mandates and recommendations discussed in related VA directives, handbooks and associated guidance.
11. Conduct periodic reviews of external-facing web assets to ensure alignment with Department messaging, common look and feel and priorities, and certify that those assets may continue to operate after audits are conducted.

The WGB consists of Senior-level members with the rank of GS-15 or above who have decision making authority (or their delegates) from the following VA organizations:

1. The WGB will be co-chaired by the Assistant Secretaries for OPIA and OIT or their designees.
2. The OPIA Director of Digital Media will act as the executive secretary for the WGB.
3. The WGB Co-Chairs have the authority to charter subcommittees, workgroups, etc. to develop, review, update, and maintain policy, websites, applications, and other web-related content.
4. Voting Members
   • Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA)
   • Office of Information and Technology (OIT)
   • Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
   • Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
   • National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
   • Veterans Experience Office (VEO)
5. Non-Voting Members
   • Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (OSVA)
   • Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)
   • Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC)
   • Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA)
   • Office of Enterprise Integration (OEI)
   • Office of the Executive Secretary
   • Office of General Counsel (OGC)
   • Office of Human Resource Administration (HRA)
   • Office of Management (OM)
   • Office of Operations Security and Preparedness (OSP)

The following guidance is established for the WGB and all subcommittees.

1. Meetings
   1. The full WGB meets at least six times per year. The WGB Chair can call additional WGB meetings as needed.
   2. Draft minutes with an attendance list will be completed within two (2) business days and distributed to all WGB members and attendees. WGB members will have five (5) business days to review and approve meeting minutes and send any concerns directly to the WGB Chair or their designees.
2. Meeting Agenda
   1. The OPIA Director of Digital Media Engagement (DME) and staff are responsible for drafting and distributing the agenda and minutes. Input from WGB members is encouraged and should be sent to the DME Director for inclusion in the agenda.
   2. The agenda will be based upon the following: assigned work of the WGB subcommittees reporting to the WGB; guidance and input from Board members; and tasking assigned the WGB by those in the direct chain of command as outlined in VA Directive 6102.
   3. Topics for WGB consideration shall be presented in a Web Decision Memorandum (DOTX, 3 pages).
3. Decision Making Process. The WGB is the final authority on all web-related content outlined in VA directives, policies, and standards as outlined in VA Directive 6102.
   1. Matters requiring review and approval by the WGB (e.g., waivers) shall be submitted using the Web Decision Memorandum (DOTX, 3 pages).
   2. Matters considered by the WGB shall be resolved through consensus(75% agreement by voting members constitutes consensus). If a consensus cannot be reached to resolve a matter critical to the accomplishment of the WGB mission, the issue shall be escalated to the appropriate OSVA enterprise governance council (e.g., VA Operations Board).
   3. WGB voting members have one vote per member. If a voting member is unable to attend the WGB meeting they will have 72 hours from the close of the meeting to submit their vote. Non-voting members are represented by their voting member counterparts (e.g., OPIA represents Staff Offices, VEO represents Veterans concerns).
   4. The decision making processes established by this charter apply to all subcommittees, workgroups, etc., that are created at the request of the WGB.
4. Program Management: The OPIA Office of Digital Media is responsible for developing and maintaining the contents of this Charter. Questions may be directed to the WGB.

This Charter will become effective upon signature and rescinds all previous charters. The charter shall be reviewed every two years to ensure its relevance and utility and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

Approved: /s/Kayla M. Williams, Assistant Secretary OPIA June 8, 2022

Approved: /s/Kurt DelBene, Assistant Secretary OIT June 15, 2022