Letter from the AAFSW President — January 2018

Dear AAFSW Members and Volunteers, I would like to wish all your families and you a very happy and prosperous New Year! Since August 8, 2016 when I was elected President of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, AAFSW has attained a great deal of accomplishments to add to the long chain of achievements realized since its inception in 1960 when it was established as the first non-governmental organization supporting the American diplomatic community. As AAFSW President, I am delighted to be leading our elected AAFSW Executive Board comprised of Melissa Hess (1st Vice President), Sandy Taylor (2nd Vice President), Veronica Moran (Treasurer), and Troella Tyznik (Assistant Treasurer).… Read More

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AAFSW Advocates for You — An Update on EFM Employment

In January 2017 the administration announced a hiring freeze on all government agencies. This freeze was lifted for most agencies in April although it remained in place for the State Department. The freeze prevented eligible family member (EFM) positions from being filled once the current EFM left post. This caused serious gaps in staffing at some posts in such crucial areas as the Community Liaison Office (CLO), mailrooms and health units. During July, just prior to Congress going into recess, the AAFSW EFM Employment Group initiated a letter writing campaign to Congressional Representatives, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Board and those in the newly formed Foreign Service Caucus. The… Read More

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Join Us for A Special Valentine’s Celebration

A SPECIAL VALENTINE’S CELEBRATION An Evening of Latin Music, Dance, and Delicious Colombian Food Friday, February 16, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.   The AAFSW and the AAFSW CRISIS FUND COMMITTEE celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the residence of the Colombian ambassador located at 1520 20th Street NW Washington, DC 20036, an elegant mansion in the heart of Washington, DC. Guests will enjoy a delicious Colombian buffet dinner followed by a demonstration of Colombian dances. Guests will then be able to dance to Latin music. The Colombian ambassador, Camilo Reyes, will welcome us into his lovely residence to enjoy Valentine’s Day, celebrating romance, love, and… Read More

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Renwick Gallery Visit

  Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death January 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC AAFSW cordially invites AAFSW members and guests to a guided tour of a special exhibit at the Renwick Gallery on Thursday, January 25, 2018. Murder is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death explores the unexpected intersection between craft and forensic science. Frances Glessner Lee (1878-1962) crafted her extraordinary “Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death”—exquisitely detailed miniature crime scenes—to train homicide investigators to “convict the guilty, clear the innocent, and find the truth in a nutshell.” These dollhouse-sized diorama composites of… Read More

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Lullaby of Peace Concert

“Lullaby of Peace” Concert A WORLD PREMIER Monday, December 11 at 11:00 a.m. Arts Club of Washington DC   On Monday, December 11, 2017 the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) in collaboration with the Washington International Piano Art Consul (WIPAC) celebrated the start of the Holiday Season with the World Premier presentation of the “Lullaby of Peace.”   For this special holiday event, the volunteers of AAFSW and its Program Chair, Sheila Switzer, worked hard to secure the Executive Mansion “Arts Club of Washington DC,” former home of President James Monroe and his wife Elizabeth Monroe. This is the elegant mansion where the first Inaugural Ball took… Read More

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