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What's an AAFSW?
by Terri Williams

AAFSW stands for the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (formerly the Association of American Foreign Service Women) and it is a non-profit organization that has been working to benefit our Foreign Service community since 1960.

AAFSW's activities are wide-ranging and ever-expanding, but our goal is simple. AAFSW supports Foreign Service personnel and their families around the globe, connecting and strengthening our entire Foreign Service community. Our website, www.aafsw.org is full of information on all our activities as well as a rich resource for the Foreign Service community. It includes dozens of articles on topics of interest as well as the Foreign Service Toolkit, Notes for Newcomers, a Foreign Service Reading List, updated information from the Transition Center and the Family Liaison Office, as well as a link to Livelines, AAFSW's email discussion group. Livelines itself provides a 24/7 community of shared experiences, common and uncommon questions, and real answers from people who've been there and done that. Currently, over 400 people are members from around the Foreign Service globe.

In Washington, AAFSW provides a way to connect with the local Foreign Service community through a wealth of housing information, fascinating speaker programs, and a large number of interest groups-including a Foreign Born Spouse group and a Playgroup for Foreign Service Tots. Thanks to its membership fees, AAFSW publishes an information-packed newsletter (Global Link), supports the website and information publications and offers advertising opportunities for self-employed members. Proceeds that are generated by a yearly volunteer-supported Bookfair provide scholarships for high school seniors and adults. AAFSW is an independent voice for Foreign Service families, advocating for them on issues like a PIT retirement benefit buyback, care for elderly family members, pet transportation concerns, and more.

But AAFSW cannot continue this tradition of service to the community without the support of the community. Membership in AAFSW is open to all employees and adult family members of the foreign affairs agencies who have served or are subject to service at a U. S. diplomatic mission. It costs $40 for one year. Membership fees and donations are AAFSW's primary source of operating income and are used to support all its work.

An application for membership is available on the website, www.aafsw.org , from your CLO Coordinator, or through the AAFSW office:

Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide
5555 Columbia Pike
Suite 208
Arlington, VA 22204-3117
Tel: 703-820-5420
Fax: 703-820-5421
Email: office@aafsw.org

Please join today to help promote the Foreign Service future!