Our Programs

AAFSW organizes speaker programs and events of interest to members and to the Foreign Service community in general. The organization is privileged to have access to the Benjamin Franklin Rooms at the Department of State as an elegant venue for hosting four speaker events annually. The programs are open to members and guests, with a social coffee time prior to the meeting. “Argo” author Tony Mendez, his wife Jonna Mendez, and AAFSW member Kathleen Stafford, one of the Embassy employees held hostage in 1979, at an AAFSW program in May 2013. The programs are normally held on the third Tuesday in the months of March, May, September and December. Programs… Read More

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AAFSW’s Advocacy History

  Through advocacy within the State Department and Congress, we established the Global Community Liaison Office, supported the establishment of the Overseas Briefing Center (now known as the The Transition Center), Around the World in a Lifetime (AWAL), and the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, among other organizations. In the Department of State staff a housing referral office, operate a bookstore, and host periodic speakers at programs in the diplomatic reception rooms of the State Department. AAFSW was the original source of many of the publications now commonly updated and in the tool kits of mobile families.With our unique ability to lobby Congress on behalf of family members, we succeeded in gaining groundbreaking pension… Read More

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SOSA 2016

AAFSW sponsors or assists with several awards for adult Foreign Service family members.The Secretary of State’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA). The annual AAFSW/Secretary of State’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) recognizes the outstanding volunteer activities of U.S. Government employees, family members, and members of household over the age of 18 serving overseas.Champions of Career Enhancement for Eligible Family Members Award (CCE-EFM)The CCE-EFM was developed by AAFSW’s EFM Employment Committee to recognize and incentivize those who go above and beyond their job descriptions and routine daily activities to promote the cause of employment and career development for Foreign Service family members. The winning individual or group receives a cash… Read More

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Our Scholarships

For High School Seniors and Current College Students The following AAFSW scholarships are available, with application deadlines in early April. Application forms are available early in the application year and will be announced in our Global Link newsletter, and on our website and Facebook page. AAFSW Merit Scholarship winner for 2013 Geoffrey Odlum with Debbi Miller, AAFSW Board member, and his parents, Jennifer and Geoff Odlum. AAFSW High School/Gap Year Merit Scholarship This $2,000 scholarship recognizes an outstanding high school senior or gap year student. Eligibility: High school seniors or gap year students entering college in the fall, whose families are part of the foreign affairs agency community. An immediate… Read More

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