Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide

Support a Senate Resolution to Honor the Foreign Service

kelly-aafsw — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:36:03 +0000

AAFSW joins AFSA in supporting this resolution. Please read to see what you can do to help.

Senate Resolution Honors Foreign Service

Help AFSA get co-sponsors and express appreciation to supporters in Congress

AFSA is pleased that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has introduced a resolution expressing appreciation for the Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel who support America’s mission around the world. The resolution was introduced on March 21 and was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 26. Current co-sponsors include Senator John Kerry (D-MA), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), who is the senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. AFSA will be working here to encourage additional co-sponsors. The text of the resolution is below.

Here’s how you can help. We invite you to take advantage of this positive opportunity. Reach out to your Senators and encourage them to co-sponsor Senator Whitehouse’s resolution. One of the best ways to educate elected officials about the Foreign Service and the importance of diplomacy and development is to share your personal stories about life in the Foreign Service. If you do write, share your perspective on being part of the Foreign Service, and ask them to co-sponsor Senator Whitehouse’s resolution. A brief paragraph or two on when you entered the Foreign Service, where you’ve served and what role you’ve played in the Foreign Service can help legislators understand the importance of our diplomatic service and demonstrate that members of the Foreign Service come from every part of the nation.

Please click here to go the United States Senate website with a list of senators by state and click on the “Web form” link for your senators to send them a message. You can also use the list by specifying your home state in the “Choose a State” menu.

Please contact your senators as soon as possible and let’s work together to get as many cosponsors of this resolution as we can by May 4, Foreign Affairs Day and AFSA’s Plaque Ceremony in honor of those who have died while serving their country! If you have any questions, please get in touch with me or AFSA’s legislative assistant Clint Lohse at lohse@afsa.org.

Sincerely,
Susan R. Johnson
AFSA President

—————————-
S. RES. 401

Expressing appreciation for Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals who represent the United States around the globe.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MARCH 21, 2012

Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. KERRY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

RESOLUTION

Expressing appreciation for Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals who represent the United States around the globe.

Whereas the United States Foreign Service was established by Congress in 1924 to professionalize the country’s diplomatic and consular services and advance freedom, democracy, and security for the benefit of the people of the United States and the international community;

Whereas the United States Agency for International Development was established in 1961 to support the foreign policy goals of the United States through economic, development, and humanitarian assistance;

Whereas the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development together employ more than 27,000 United States nationals in the Foreign Service and Civil Service dedicated to promoting United States interests around the world;

Whereas Foreign Service personnel deploy to Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia on a permanent, rotating basis to defend and promote United States priorities abroad;

Whereas many Foreign Service employees spend months or years away from families and loved ones on assignment to dangerous or inhospitable posts where family members are not permitted;

Whereas numerous Department of State and United States Agency for International Development employees have lost their lives while serving abroad;

Whereas strong and purposeful United States diplomacy and development, carried out by a diverse, professionally educated, and well-trained force of Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals, are the most cost-effective means to protect and advance United States interests abroad;

Whereas the promotion of commercial engagement by United States businesses in foreign markets and targeted international development projects support economic prosperity, job creation, and opportunities for United States business and industry;

Whereas United States diplomats are often the first line of defense against international conflict and transnational security threats;

Whereas Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals have worked to support the members of the United States Armed Forces involved in critical national security missions and military engagements in dangerous and unstable regions;

Whereas Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals administer emergency assistance in crisis situations; and

Whereas the contributions of Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals to the global advancement of international understanding, American ideals, and the promotion of freedom and democracy around the world should be commended: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) recognizes and gives special appreciation to the Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel of the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and other United States Government agencies that promote and protect United State priorities abroad; and

(2) owes a debt of gratitude to these individuals, and their families, who put public service and pride in their country ahead of comfort, convenience, and even safety in service to the United States and the global community.

Write for AAFSW! New Book Project In the Works

kelly-aafsw — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:41:50 +0000

AAFSW is planning a new series of books on various Foreign Service topics, to be titled, “Your Foreign Service Companion.”

Each book will be a collection of chapters written by authors from within the Foreign Service community, presented in a variety of formats from articles to humorous essays. We hope that the books will be both useful and entertaining, offering “companionship” to Foreign Service employees and family members during difficult times.

The books will be published simultaneously in print and e-book format, and will be affordably priced so that we can all enjoy them! All profits after production costs will go to fund AAFSW’s many programs and services to the Foreign Service community.

The first volume, tentatively titled “Moving Your Family Without Losing Your Mind,” will focus on the mechanics of Foreign Service PCS transfers. Some chapter topics have already been assigned, but there are several others available for “adoption.”

For more information, including writers’ guidelines, please contact the project manager/editor, Kelly Bembry Midura, at fsbook@aafsw.org as soon as possible. Include a writing sample with your email: blog posts are acceptable for this purpose.

Writers will not be compensated but will receive a copy of the book and are free to mention their own business website or blog in their author credit.

The deadline for all draft submissions will be October 1, 2012, with a publication date in early spring 2013.

The May 2012 Issue of Global Link is Now Available

kelly-aafsw — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:50:29 +0000

Our newsletter is available in PDF format in the members-only section. Scroll to “downloads” to view or download your copy. AAFSW members, if you have forgotten the password, please contact our office at office@aafsw.org.

In this issue:

AAFSW Advocates for Foreign Service Pets
From the President’s Desk: Building Community
Volunteer Opportunity: AAFSW Assistant Treasurer Needed
May 21 Program: Violin and Flute Recital
March Program Review: The Evolving Roles of Women Today
Write for AAFSW: New Book Series Planned
Become a GLIFAA Post Representative
Arts, Crafts and Small Business Fair May 6th
Unaccompanied Tour Happy Hour May 2
Enjoying Your Elderly Visitors

For more updated news of interest to the Foreign Service community, sign up for our RSS feed or Like us on Facebook!

May 21 Program: Ukrainian Violin and Flute Recital

kelly-aafsw — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 07:07:51 +0000

We cordially invite you to join us on Monday, May 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room on the 8th floor at the State Department for an enchanting recital.
We will be hosting two gifted Ukrainian musicians: violinist Dr. Solomia Gorokhivska, and flautist Dr. Andrei Pidkivka. They will offer a unique presentation consisting of music of the Baroque and Classical eras as well as Ukrainian violin and flute duos.

The program will include:

Georg Philip Teleman Sonata for Flute and Violin (I. II, III, IV Movements)
I. Pleyel Duo No. 4 for Flute and Violin (I, II, III Movements)
A. Makris Little Milton on the Beach (I and III Movement)
A selection of Ukrainian folk music for violin and traditional flutes.

Ukrainian-born violinist Solomia Gorokhivska has forged a dynamic career on both sides of the Atlantic through her violin performances and musical projects. She is a laureate of Ukrainian and international competitions in classical and folk music performance and has toured in Germany, Russia, Poland, Serbia, China and the United States.

Dr. Gorokhivska started playing violin and piano at the age of five. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Ternopil State College of Music (Ukraine) and continued her studies at the graduate performance level at Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine. In addition, she earned a Master Degree in Cultural Studies, preparing her to host a Ukrainian series of television programs “Alone with Music” devoted to the musical cultures of different countries. Recently, she received a Doctorate in violin performance from Catholic University of America.

Currently, Dr. Gorokhivska is performing as a soloist and a collaborative artist locally and around the United States. She is a member of Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and Manhattan Symphony, as well as co-founder of a folk music group Gerdan and a soloist in the Rock Creek Jazz band. She also has a private studio where she is teaching her students to master violin, piano, and voice.

Andrei Pidkivka earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in flute performance at Michigan State University. Most recent performances as a soloist and a guest musician include the Columbus Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras.

As a concert classical flautist, teacher and performer, and maker of variety of folk flutes of his native Ukraine, Dr. Pidkivka has been critically acclaimed in the United States and Europe as the preeminent performer on his instruments.

Dr. Pidkivka presented numerous lectures-workshops on folk flutes of Eastern Europe in many universities and colleges across the United States. He performs extensively in concerts and festivals including venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Arts, Metropolitan Museum of the Art, The Andy Warhol Museum, Severance Hall, the National Folk Alliance Conference, and National Flute Association in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Andrei Pidkivka has several recordings to his credit on the Traditional Crossroads record label. He is also a co-founder of a folk music group Gerdan and a soloist of Harmonia Ensemble.

Please RSVP no later than Monday, May 14 using the coupon in the May Global Link, or RSVP and pay online on this page.

Fill out my online form.

BREAKING NEWS: United Extends Pet Shipping Waiver to Foreign Service

kelly-aafsw — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:03:26 +0000

From the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). Original announcement here.

This is a victory and provides recognition to the Foreign Service and those who serve abroad. AFSA will continue to work to ensure we have the option to transport pets as accompanied baggage checked in at the passenger terminal and delivered with baggage and hope to work with United to make PetSafe viable globally and truly safe for pets.

AFSA ‘s request for a meeting with United’s CEO Jeff Smisek or with an appropriate Vice President resulted in a call today from Hershel Kamen, United’s Senior Vice President for Alliances, Regulatory Affairs, and Policy. Mr. Kamen told us that United Airlines has decided to extend its military pet travel policy waiver to members of the U.S. Foreign Service who are traveling on official change-of-station orders. This will include USG employees traveling to take up assignments in our embassies and missions abroad from all agencies.

We have not received official notification in writing and are awaiting details about what the waiver provides, but this decision is a direct result of this collective action that you made possible by your quick and united action. We want to let you know right away

Huge thanks to all of you who wrote quickly and eloquently to United! Volume, speed and content combined for successful collective action and a message that was heard. This is a real success and validation of collective action for a good cause, and for standing up for the Foreign Service and what we do in service to our country.

We extend our appreciation to the work of Under Secretary Kennedy and his staff and to the Director of Logistics Operations in the A Bureau to get GSA authorization to use alternate U.S. carriers or code shares. This option should remain in place because the option to transport pets as accompanied baggage is the standard we need for ourselves and for our animal companions.

AFSA also extends our appreciation and thanks to six members of Congress – Nita Lowey, Jim Moran, Chris Van Hollen, Donna Edwards, Gerry Connolly and Eleanor Holmes Norton who wrote to United in support of extending the waiver to members of the U.S. Foreign Service.

AFSA extends a big thank-you to the Overseas Briefing Center, and to volunteers from AAFSW, the Foreign Affairs Friends of Animals Network (FAFAN), the FSpets Yahoo Group as well as from our FS pet owners themselves for their great work for this cause. It would not have happened without you all!

We appreciate United’s decision to extend this courtesy to a large and dedicated customer group, demonstrating their appreciation of the service and sacrifice of the U.S. Foreign Service on behalf of the United States. We hope to work with United to help them improve their level of service to customers and to make PetSafe a program that is safe for pets globally.

AFSA will publicize the details of what the waiver provides as we learn them. Until then, you may read about the military waiver on the pet issues page of AFSA’s Web site. That page also includes the details of AFSA’s campaign to date.

Sincerely,

Susan R. Johnson
AFSA President

Review: AAFSW’s March Program for Women’s History Month

kelly-aafsw — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:56:06 +0000

“The Evolving Roles of Women Today,” the fourth annual Women’s National History Month program sponsored by AAFSW and the Woman’s National Democratic Club, was an outstanding success. Though our usual venue, the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room, was preempted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for an event, the panelists were undeterred by sharing career histories in the less opulent surroundings of the Dean Acheson Auditorium.

Please enjoy more photos of the event, along with additional review by AAFSW member Helen Nicodemus, on AAFSW’s Facebook page.

Molly Williamson, a retired Foreign Service officer with the rank of Career Minister, and current scholar with the Middle East Institute; Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women; and Denise Rolark-Barnes owner of The Washington Informer, the leading publication of the District of Columbia’s African-American community, discussed the evolution of their careers. All were strikingly different, indicative of the varied paths women have to successful professionalism today,

Special guests included spouses of ambassadors to the United States from Luxembourg, Libya, Indonesia, Albania, Djibouti, Germany, Macedonia and Kenya. A number of the women were resplendent in the traditional dress of their countries.

Once again Sheila Switzer chaired the program, and a hearty thank you to her for a stimulating and enjoyable event.

Jewell Fenzi
AAFSW Member