Details coming soon.
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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 are open to members and guests for a fee of $15.00 to cover the catering costs. Specific program and reservation information is always provided in the Global Link newsletter and on our website at least one month prior to the program.
AAFSW endeavors to provide programs that are of current international, political, cultural or local interest. For example, in 2011, we hosted programs with a political and international focus featuring speakers such as the Ambassadors of Iraq and India to the United States, discussing issues of bilateral interest. Generally the March program focuses on Women’s History Month, usually in collaboration with the Women’s National Democratic Club (WNDC.) December is the annual holiday celebration with the presentation of the Secretary of State’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Overseas (SOSA.)
For variety, AAFSW also presents cultural programs with speakers from the Washington D.C. museum scene, as well as talented musicians who entertain from the popular and classical music genre.
In addition to the programs at the Department of State, AAFSW features special tours and events of interest during the year. Our goal is to provide our members with access to some of the hidden gems in the Washington, DC area. We have been privileged to have a special tour of the Society of the Cincinnati headquarters, Anderson House, in Washington. If you missed this tour or don’t know this impressive house, you need to Google and visit it!
We have also organized a visit to the Japanese Embassy Tea House and enjoyed a special guided tour of the Freer-Sackler Gallery. In addition, generous AAFSW members have hosted special events in their homes including a presentation of the Japanese tea ceremony and an adult Halloween party, complete with costumes and prizes.
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 sharing provisions for divorcing spouses along with other benefits.
AAFSW also supports outreach and charities. Money is provided for scholarships for Foreign Service youth, loans for adult family members continuing their education, awards for outstanding volunteer contributions abroad, and we support local Washington, D.C. non-profit organizations that focus on the improvement of family issues. For a more detailed look at the history of AAFSW please see the President’s remarks on A Century of Women in the Foreign Service.
OUR RESUME
Established the Global Community Liaison Office, which guaranteed the Global Community Liaison Office permanent legitimacy through the Foreign Service Act of 1980
Opened the Overseas Briefing Center.
Created the AAFSW Housing Desk, AAFSW Bookroom, and the Foreign Service Youth Foundation
AAFSW/Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism
First Bilateral Work Agreement
Revolving Adult Education Loan Fund
Foreign Service Associates proposal accepted by Congress
Divorced spouses legislation
Congressional testimony on the importance of Foreign Service family concerns
Numerous publications and symposia
SOSA 2016
Eligibility: All active American USG direct-hire employees, their spouses and family members over the age of 18, their EFM domestic partners and their members of household (MOH) are eligible. Any of the above also may nominate an outstanding Locally Employed Staff (LES) member, Personal Services contractor (PSC) or third-party contractor who has significantly exceeded work requirements to expand job opportunities and/or long-term career enhancement for Foreign Service family members.
The Lesley Dorman Award
In 1993, AAFSW decided to honor Lesley Dorman for her accomplishments and untiring efforts on behalf of the Foreign Service community by creating the Lesley Dorman Award. The award recognizes an AAFSW member who has performed outstanding service in all aspects of the organization. The award is given at the annual AAFSW Volunteer Awards Program in December.
The Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award
The Tragen Award honors the memory of AAFSW member Eleanor Dodson Tragen and recognizes a member of the Foreign Service Community who has effectively advocated for and enhanced the global rights and benefits provided to the Foreign Service community. The award is sponsored and administered by DACOR, an organization of foreign affairs professionals. The award is funded by the income from a gift to DACOR Bacon House Foundation from retired FSO Irving Tragen and is given at the annual AAFSW Volunteer Awards Program in December.
Other Awards Open to Adult Foreign Service Community Members
American Foreign Service Association Awards
AFSA offers three awards for exemplary performance of assigned duties or voluntary duties at an overseas post that constitute extraordinary contributions to effectiveness, professionalism and morale, the Nelson B. Delavan Award, the M. Juanita Guess Award, and the Avis Bohlen Award.
The J. Kirby Simon Trust
The J. Kirby Simon Foreign Service Trust is committed to expanding the opportunities for professional and community service and personal well-being of active-duty Foreign Service personnel and their families. To that end, the Trust supports projects initiated on a voluntary basis by members of the extended Foreign Service family that seek, on a modest scale, to improve the health and welfare of people living in the host countries.
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 family member must be a current member of AAFSW at the time of application. Click here for AAFSW membership information.
Requirements for submission:
Completed application form.
Original essay, 500 words or less (see current application for topic).
High school transcripts. Official transcripts must be sent from the school(s).
Grade point average and SAT or ACT scores (copy or printout of official score sheet, if not included on transcript). Screen shots or a copy of ACT/SAT scores is permitted.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of your achievements in extracurricular activities such as volunteering, paid employment, sports, art, music, etc.
AAFSW College Merit Scholarship
This $2,000 scholarship honors an outstanding student currently enrolled in college.
Eligibility: Open to all current college students whose families are part of the foreign affairs community.
An immediate family member must be a current member of AAFSW at the time of application. Click here for AAFSW membership information.
Requirements for submission:
Completed application form.
Original essay, 500 words or fewer.
Transcript of college courses you have taken so far, and a list of your current courses. If you have completed one year of college or less, please include a high school transcript as well (a copy is acceptable).
Two letters of recommendation from individuals with knowledge of your abilities in two of these areas: volunteering, paid employment, sports, art, music, etc.
The Judy Felt Memorial Volunteerism Scholarship
This scholarship, created in honor of the late Art & BookFair Chair Judy Felt, recognizes a student with an exceptional record of community service. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to one of the Merit Scholarship applicants (high school senior, gap year student or college student).
AAFSW Best Essay Award
This $500 award honors an exceptional essay submitted by an applicant for the Merit Scholarships above.
Contact office@aafsw.org for more information or for application forms.
Our Ambassador Speaker Series
Details coming soon.
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