Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide

Volunteers

by

Annual AAFSW Volunteer Appreciation Lunch Tuesday, May 8, 2018

 

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, many AAFSW members and volunteers gathered together at the beautiful home of Elaine, Ron, and Brian Neumann to share a scrumptious lunch offered by the AAFSW Board members and express our appreciation for one another and our volunteer efforts.

After a brief AAFSW Board meeting, all of us joined our hosts Ron and Elaine Neumann out on their balcony and garden to enjoy one of the most brilliant spring days while drinking cold beverages and eating a variety of international foods and desserts.

Immediately after lunch, the AAFSW Board and its President, Dr. Joanna Athanasopoulos Owen, handed many awards out to eleven well deserving AAFSW volunteers. AAFSW wishes to express its gratitude to all of our volunteers for all their energy and efforts throughout the year. This year, there were many members deserving an AAFSW Volunteer Award for a variety of reasons. This is the list of the 2018 AAFSW Volunteer of the Year Awards:

Aleksandar Blagoevski-Trazoff
In recognition of his outstanding and successful leadership as the 2017 AAFSW Eligible Family Member Working Group Coordinator

Jen Dinoia 
In recognition of her valuable contributions to the success of the 2017 AAFSW Eligible Family Member Working Group

Gladys Baker
In recognition of her many years of exceptional dedication serving in the AAFSW Housing Office

Danuta Moon
In recognition of her outstanding work as the 2017 Art & BookFair Publicity Coordinator

Yolanda Macias-Cottrell
In recognition of her exceptional work and dedication as the 2017 SOSA Chair

Sherry Barndollar Rock
In recognition of her exceptional work and dedication as the 2017 and 2018 AAFSW Scholarship Committee Chair

Patricia Linderman
For her instrumental role in creating and maintaining the FSHub.org and for coordinating the AAFSW Yahoo Email Group

Catherine Pierce
In recognition of her valuable and sustainable contributions to the AAFSW Foreign Service Hub (FSHub.org)

Sheila Switzer
In recognition of her exceptional dedication leading the AAFSW Foreign-Born Spouses Group for many years

Sheila Switzer
For her many years of supporting the “AAFSW Spouses in Transition” and leading the “AAFSW Family Crisis Fund” Committee

Martine Nakpil
In recognition of her efficiency and willingness to offer her volunteer time for the benefit of AAFSW

Barbara Reioux
In recognition of effectively offering her volunteer time to support AAFSW in every possible way

All of us at AAFSW are humbled by the awardees’ selfless dedication, volunteer time, and unlimited support in securing AAFSW success in a variety of ways. AAFSW would also like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Neumann for opening once again their welcoming home and spectacular garden for all of us to enjoy a sunny and lovely day during our annual AAFSW Volunteer Appreciation Lunch.

Joanna Athanasopoulos Owen, PhD
2016-2020 AAFSW President

by

Volunteers Needed for Treasurer, SOSA Chair

AAFSW is seeking volunteers for the following Board positions:

Treasurer
The Treasurer prepares monthly and cumulative reports of expenditures and receipts and presents them to the Board; oversees the financial records; supervises the investment of all AAFSW funds; has the discretion to seek financial advice when necessary; files reports as required by the IRS, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Virginia concerning the Association’s tax-exempt status; prepares the annual budget after consultation with the President and the Finance Committee.

Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Award (SOSA) Chair
The SOSA Chair is responsible for drafting and sending announcement cable to posts working through FLO, the DG’s office and the Regional Bureaus; coordinates with the Office Manager and Regional Bureaus on nominations received; coordinates with the State Liaison to ensure that the Benjamin Franklin Room is booked for the event and that the Secretary will sign the awards and ensure high level DOS representative for presentation; coordinates the SOSA selection committee and dates; contacts donors and sends annual letters requesting donations, with support by the Office Manager.

We also have a wide range of other volunteer positions available: Marketing/Publicity Chair, Secretary, Art&BookFair Volunteer Coordinator, BookRoom and Art Corner volunteers, and more.

Please step up and help keep AAFSW a strong advocate and support organization for EFMs (eligible family members) and the entire Foreign Service community. Or nominate someone you know who would be a great candidate!

Contact us at office@aafsw.org to volunteer or to find out more. Thank you!

by

Volunteer at the Art & BookFair 2015!

Starting with a “Book Mart” in October 1961, AAFSW has held a book sale every year at the State Department. This October, the Art & BookFair will once again offer books and treasures from all over the world. Our donors from the Foreign Service community have lived everywhere, and customers come to this sale knowing that they can find truly unusual international items. This sale has raised $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Over the years that has added up to more than a million dollars.

ArtBookFair2015AAFSW uses Art & BookFair funds to finance scholarships and many other activities in support of the Foreign Service community, from our website to informational programs and events of all types. Some of the proceeds, as well as in-kind donations, are given to DC-area community organizations.

Just as the family members of the Foreign Service depend on AAFSW to advocate for their interests, AAFSW itself depends on the income from the Art & BookFair to function. And we depend on our members to help make this event a success!

How can you help?

Donate items from your home, especially objects acquired overseas. We take art, textiles, jewelry, pottery, wooden carved creations, paintings, stamps, paper money, coins — anything from the countries that you have visited or posts in which you have lived. Small items can be sent in the mail, but we also pick up donations in the Washington, DC area.
Pick-ups (for donated items other than books) can be arranged by calling the BookRoom, 202-223-5796, or by emailing office@aafsw.org. We will not be accepting any more books after August 31. Remind your friends and co-workers to do the same, especially those who are retiring, downsizing or moving.

Volunteer your time during the year. If you have expertise in local art from a particular region of the world, such as South America, or knowledge of languages, we could really use help in pricing books and artifacts. You can get into the Dept. of State (DOS) with your diplomatic passport. Even if you are only here for a short time, we can use your help.

Volunteer to help set up October 6-8, clean up October 19 and 20, or work at the Art & BookFair, October 9-19! Use the volunteer form here or print out the form in the Summer 2015 issue of the Global Link. You can also email office@aafsw.org or call the AAFSW office (703-820-5420) to volunteer.

The volunteers have a lot of fun! The Art & BookFair is a unique experience, with its interesting books and artifacts, enthusiastic customers, and the old friends and colleagues that we run into from a former post!

AAFSW Art & BookFair Committee
bookfair@aafsw.org