Charter of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid

Government and private and voluntary organizations active in the fields of relief, rehabilitation, and development overseas. The Committee's objectives include ensuring that the voluntary sector plays a vital and dynamic role in the formulation and execution of foreign assistance programs. To achieve this, the Committee consults with, provides information to, and advises the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other U.S. Government agencies on matters and issues related to foreign assistance. The Committee's duties and scope of activity encompass a wide spectrum of development issues, including providing information and counsel to private and voluntary organizations working abroad in relief, rehabilitation, and development. The Committee also fosters public interest in the field of voluntary foreign aid and the activities of private and voluntary organizations. To facilitate its work, the Committee holds meetings annually, with Subcommittees meeting as determined by each Subcommittee chair. The Committee's membership is comprised of a balanced cross-section of non-governmental entities, including private and voluntary organizations, cooperatives, foundations, private firms, professional societies, universities, and other sources. Members serve in a representative capacity and are not subject to conflict of interest statutes. The Administrator of USAID designates the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee, with terms of membership established by the Administrator at the time of appointment. The Committee reports to the Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance, who serves as the Administrator of USAID. The Office of the Administrator provides necessary support for the Committee, and the Executive Director of the Advisory Committee serves as the USAID Advisory Committee representative. The Committee files trimestral reports with the Administrator, describing its activities during the preceding trimester, and furnishes any other data required by the Agency's Advisory Committee Management Officer. The annual operating costs for the Advisory Committee and its Subcommittees are estimated to be approximately $250,000 and 1.5 person-years, respectively. The Committee's Subcommittees may be appointed as necessary, which shall report to the Advisory Committee. The Charter of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid is effective from January 15, 2009, and was filed on the same date by Henrietta H. Fore, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.