There are so many ways to connect with AAFSW and the FS community through social media.
AAFSW Facebook page
AAFSW Global Connection
AAFSW Foreign-Born Spouses
EFM Business Owners
AAFSW Playgroup
AAFSW Special Needs Families
AAFSW Boarding School Parents
AAFSW DCM and PO Spouses
AAFSW Parents
Livelines Yahoo Group
AAFSW’s twitter account
AAFSW FACEBOOK PAGE
Facebook.com/aafsw
We use our Facebook page to post up-to-date information about our activities and events, as well as more general news and links of interest to the Foreign Service community. New items on our website also appear on our Facebook feed, along with photos and reviews of our programs and events.
AAFSW GLOBAL CONNECTION
Facebook.com/groups/aafswglobalconnection/
We are happy to announce the launch of Global Connection, a new Facebook group for AAFSW members and their spouses/partners only. This closed, moderated group, a complement to our Livelines listserve, will be for general discussion of Foreign Service topics: questions and answers, tips and advice.
If you are a current member of AAFSW, we invite you to join us!
Memberships in the group will be confirmed after checking current AAFSW membership status in our membership directory. If your name on Facebook is not the same as your name in our directory, or if you are the spouse/partner of an AAFSW member, please message the group admins or email facebook@aafsw.org with your request and/or the name of the associated AAFSW member so we can approve you.
FACEBOOK GROUPS
AAFSW sponsors several Facebook groups to facilitate networking, support, and information exchange among members of the Foreign Service community. All AAFSW groups are closed to the public and actively moderated, with strict privacy guidelines.
All of our other groups are open to the entire Foreign Service community. Please see each group’s listing for membership guidelines and contact information.
AAFSW Foreign-Born Spouses
Facebook.com/groups/AAFSWForeignBornSpouses
Closed, moderated group open to all foreign-born spouses of Foreign Service community members.
Are you a foreign-born spouse or partner in the US Foreign Service community? Whether you’re from Chile, Chad or China, you’re not alone. You’ll find friendship, understanding and support in our FBS Group, along with useful information and fun events. If you are overseas, please use this group to network with us. If you are a member of our DC-based Foreign-Born spouses group (http://www.aafsw.org/global-activities/dc-area-activities/foreign-born-spouses), look for local activities to be posted on the group.
To join this group click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins stating your affiliation with the Foreign Service. Or, send your information to fbsfacebook@aafsw.org.
EFM Business Owners
Facebook.com/groups/efmbusinessowners
Closed, moderated group open to all spouses/partners of Foreign Service employees.
Self-employed Eligible Family Members (EFMs), post your ideas, questions and advice here! Business owners, freelancers, contractors, anyone who works independently or “outside the box” and who is a member of the U.S. diplomatic community is welcome.
To join, click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins telling us your affiliation with the Foreign Service. Or, email efmbusiness@aafsw.org with your information.
AAFSW Playgroup
Facebook.com/groups/AAFSWPlaygroup
Closed, moderated group open to all members of the Foreign Service community.
For past, current, and future AAFSW playgroup (aafsw.org/global-activities/dc-area-
activities/washington-dc-playgroup) members.
To join this group click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins stating your affiliation with the Foreign Service. Or, send your information to playgroup@aafsw.org.
AAFSW Special Needs Families
Facebook.com/groups/AAFSWSpecialNeedsFamilies
Closed, moderated group open to all members of the Foreign Service community.
For FS families to share information, stories and ideas about educating a child with special needs overseas while serving with the U.S. Government under [diplomatic] Chief of Mission [Ambassador] authority. This includes those children living (or moving) overseas or returning to the U.S. who qualify for the special education allowance or special education in U.S. public schools. This includes learning disabilities and developmental delays.
To join this group click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins stating your affiliation with the Foreign Service. Or, send your information to specialneeds@aafsw.org.
AAFSW Boarding School Parents
Facebook.com/groups/AAFSWBoardingSchoolParents/
Closed, moderated group open to all members of the Foreign Service community.
For FS families to share information, stories and ideas about educating a child in boarding school while serving with the U.S. Government under [diplomatic] Chief of Mission [Ambassador] authority.
To join this group click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins stating your affiliation with the Foreign Service. Or, send your information to boarding@aafsw.org.
AAFSW DCM AND PO SPOUSES
Facebook.com/groups/AAFSWPOSpouses
Closed, moderated group open to spouses/partners of DCMs and Principal Officers in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Spouses/partners of DCMs and Principal Officers (POs) face unique situations and challenges, and others at post don’t always understand our “first world problems” like having staff in the house all the time, planning formal events, or submitting Official Residence Expenses. Here you can exchange ideas, find support or simply vent with your peers around the world.
To join, click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins mentioning your spouse/partner’s position with the Foreign Service. Or email dcmpospouses@aafsw.org with your information.
AAFSW PARENTS
https://www.Facebook.com/groups/AAFSWParents/
Closed, moderated group open to all parents in the U.S. Foreign Service community, including all agencies under Chief of Mission authority. AAFSW membership is encouraged but not required.
Join us in this safe, supportive space to crowd-source all your questions about parenting in the Foreign Service, including personal, logistical and schooling issues. Parenting-related discussions only, please, and our policy of respecting fellow members and keeping discussions within the group will be strictly enforced. Exchange ideas, find support or simply vent with fellow FS parents around the world.
To join, click “Join Group” and message one of the group admins mentioning your spouse/partner’s position with the Foreign Service. Or email parents@aafsw.org with your information.
LIVELINES DISCUSSION GROUP
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/livelines/info
Our “Livelines” Discussion Group” is hosted via yahoo.
Whether you have a crisis that you are not sure how to handle, questions on what to do with that strange-looking fruit in the market, or the desire to find out what a possible post is really like, there are times when it would help to talk to other Foreign Service family members around the world. With over 4,500 subscribers and counting, AAFSW’s email discussion group, “Livelines,” allows you to do just that.
Livelines is also a great way to find a place to live or rent out your home to other members of the Foreign Service community. You can also buy or sell cars and household items. Members may post ads on the group and also on aafswclassifieds.com.
To subscribe to Livelines, enter our members-only section, and click the Yahoo! Groups button. Once your application is approved by our Livelines moderator, you can start passing on your favorite Foreign Service tips or asking those deep, philosophical questions, such as “How do I keep the movers from wrapping up the garbage and sending it to Malawi?” or more seriously “How do I care for an ailing parent back home?”
If you are not yet an AAFSW member, please visit our Membership page to determine your eligibility and apply for membership online. You may request a Livelines subscription on the application form, and you will be subscribed automatically once your membership is complete.
As a subscriber, you will have access to the Livelines archives, which contain over twelve years’ worth of collective wisdom from members of the Foreign Service community. Livelines members can also share photos, links, and other information of interest to the community. Subscription options include individual emails, daily digests of topics, or web-only.
Email livelines@aafsw.org for more information.
AAFSW’S TWITTER ACCOUNT
twitter.com/aafsw
Follow us on twitter to stay updated on events, news, and the latest edition of the Global Link newsletter.