News

By Leah Moorefield Evans, Around the World 5k Co-coordinator.

Get ready to lace up your running shoes and take part in the 11th annual Around the World 5K! We invite Foreign Service and expat participants from all over the globe to run or walk a 5K at their own pace, anytime during the month of April. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to stay active, this event is a fantastic way to connect with our worldwide running community. Signing up is simple—just click here! 

You can also join our Facebook page or follow along on our website at www.aroundtheworld5k.com. Once you've completed your 5K, snap a picture and share it with the group to celebrate your achievement, and to be eligible for prizes! Remember, we are the ultimate participation event without awards for speed, dedication, or talent. We hope that celebrating movement and community is the ultimate reward for our event.

One of the highlights of the Around the World 5K is the chance to win fun prizes. Every participant who shares a photo of their run or walk is automatically entered into a drawing for a custom pottery mug featuring the event’s logo. Additionally, we have other contests, with chances to win a running book, dog treats for your walking companion, and t-shirts among other prizes. We always encourage team participation! Gather a team, set up a time, find a course, and take off! If you need a team planning packet, visit our website!

This year, however, brings some changes. Many in our community are facing unexpected moves, job transitions, uncertainty about the future, and other challenges. With this in mind, we are shifting our focus to community support rather than fundraising for a specific charity. Instead of collecting donations for a single organization, our runners and walkers are encouraged to give to a personal cause of your choice. If you choose to donate, you can share the total amount with the event organizers, and we’ll celebrate the collective generosity of our community. We hope that you find a cause that is important to you and honor our event with a small donation. Our goal is to collectively give $3000 this year.

We have always been so grateful to our sponsors who have given so generously and thoughtfully over the years. This year, our sponsors will also be taking part in this spirit of support by sharing ways they are giving back to our community. Visit our website or Facebook page to learn more about our sponsors and their contributions. While we will still have some prizes, the emphasis this year is on participation, encouragement, and coming together in a time of transition. Whether you run fast or slow, walk alone or with friends, this event is about more than just crossing a finish line—it’s about supporting and uplifting each other.

We hope you’ll join us for this special edition of the Around the World 5K. Sign up today, invite your friends and family, and let’s make this year’s event one of kindness, encouragement, and shared success. See you on the course—wherever in the world that may be!

Dear Members and Friends of AAFSW,

We are delighted to announce the availability of four prestigious scholarships provided by the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) for 2025. These scholarships aim to recognize and reward the exceptional talents and achievements of students who are dependents of current AAFSW members.

There are four AAFSW merit scholarships available, which include two "Twice Exceptional Merit Scholarships" and two "Merit Scholarships." Additionally, we have the Judy Felt Memorial Volunteerism Scholarship and the Best Essay Award.

The application deadline for all scholarships is April 27, 2025. 

Scholarship Overview:

The AAFSW Twice Exceptional Merit Scholarship offers two scholarships valued at $2,500 each. Eligibility is open to high school seniors, gap year students, college freshmen, and sophomores with an individual education program (IEP), Section 504 plan, or an equivalent program. An essay submission is needed, and the application deadline is April 27, 2025. Winners may request anonymity.

The AAFSW Merit Scholarship for college students provides two scholarships valued at $2,500 each. Eligibility is for Foreign Service dependents who are college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. Selection criteria include academic merit, extracurricular activities, service to others, leadership, and exceptional circumstances. An essay submission is needed, and the application deadline is April 27, 2025.

The Judy Felt Memorial Volunteerism Scholarship offers one scholarship valued at $1,000. Applicants of either the Twice Exceptional or Merit Scholarships are automatically considered.

The AAFSW Best Essay Award offers an award valued at $1,000 and is open to all scholarship applicants.

We are also thrilled to invite all scholarship winners and their families to a special ceremony in collaboration with the Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF). This event will be held at the Harry S. Truman (HST) Building in June 2025. It promises to be an inspiring occasion celebrating the achievements and dedication of our recipients.

Submit your applications and take advantage of this remarkable opportunity to further your educational journey. Eligibility: Applicants must be dependents of current AAFSW members. 

To apply and for membership information, please visit our scholarship information page.

AAFSW is committed to supporting USAID families under forced returns in the DMV area. Efforts will focus on providing comprehensive support and resources to help those facing challenging transitions.

AAFSW now offers a comprehensive database of housing ads and resources to the community. In addition, our dedicated volunteers with real estate backgrounds will serve as points of contact. Names and contact information for these volunteers will soon be posted on the website and Livelines.

AAFSW’s expert volunteers specializing in housing and job searches in the DMV area will hold monthly coffee mornings and round table discussions in our office community room. These gatherings will also provide opportunities for returnees to network within the AAFSW community. Donations of warm clothes and items for children will be available. AAFSW will also deliver workshops focused on job search and job training. Our volunteer experts will offer upskilling opportunities and share valuable announcements.

These initiatives are designed to enhance the ability to address emerging challenges effectively and serve our community better. AAFSW will post and share further details soon.

Thank you for your invaluable and continuous support.

Celine

AAFSW's yearly merit scholarships for college students are now open! The deadline for submitting all materials is April 27, 2025. Click here for the 2025 Scholarship application page which includes all information and forms.

AAFSW offers two scholarships per year for member families. Current college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors continuing college are eligible for this scholarship. Two scholarships are available for $2,500 each, and all applicants are considered for the Best Essay Scholarship ($1000 award) and the Judy Felt Memorial Scholarship. Learn more about our scholarships.

Dear Members and Friends of AAFSW,

It is my pleasure to share with you the busy start we have had this year at AAFSW.

On January 30, 2025, AAFSW was honored to host the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United States of America, Nazar Al Khirullah. This program inaugurated our Ambassador Speaker Series in 2025 and welcomed the new year. AAFSW’s Program Chair Sheila Switzer, members, friends and guests were grateful to hear from Ambassador Al Khirullah about the current situation and the prospects for the people of Iraq and the region.

The rich history of Iraq and Mesopotamia, one of the six cradles of civilization, significantly contributed to the development of human society. In light of recent events and the emergence of new leaderships, the Ambassador's insights were particularly valuable, as there is an opportunity in the region to uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and entrepreneurialism. In a private and off-the-record discussion, Ambassador Al Khirullah shared with our members, guests, and volunteers how the shift from autocracies to empowering individuals could serve as a role model for other countries still under authoritarian control, setting a vision for the future.

On January 28, “a significant development took place in Goma, with rebels seizing the airport, the largest in East Congo. This event had a substantial impact on hundreds of thousands of displaced people. In Kinshasa, 1,600 km (1,000 miles) west of Goma, protesters attacked a U.N. compound and several embassies, including those of Rwanda, France, and the United States”.

On Thursday, January 30, AAFSW Evacuee Support Network Co-Chairs Melanie McFeeters and Dorothea Cypher-Erickson were informed that 250 evacuees, including 90 children, would arrive on a chartered flight with dogs, cats, and a guinea pig on Friday, January 31. The evacuees were limited to one backpack each, and with the weather generally in the 80s, everyone needed warm clothes, coats and hats. Within 24 hours, a task force led by Melanie and Dorothea sprang into action.

A heartfelt thank you to those who have been tirelessly answering emails and coordinating donation pickups without rest for days. Your efforts—whether buying snacks for kids or finding help for various needs—have been invaluable.

Gratitude also goes out to everyone involved in handling donations across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Your contributions, from bringing pet food and supplies, printing and bagging items, picking up donations, making calls to assist, and donating, have all been deeply appreciated. This has truly been a team effort.

On Monday, February 3, AAFSW hosted a coffee at our office for evacuee families in need of more supplies from your generous donations. AAFSW’s volunteers were on-site to provide additional information, particularly regarding schools and babysitting.

This year, AAFSW will continue to address eligible family employment (EFM) employment in coordination with the Department of State. Current initiatives and projects aim to enhance employment opportunities for EFMs and identify areas where additional support or resources are needed.

Collaboration on evacuation and force-evacuation support procedures, supporting unaccompanied tour (UT) families in the greater Washington D.C. area and families during crises are also a priority, through collaboration with GCLO UT, and more inter-agency collaboration.

Plans for our USAID colleagues' return home have been addressed. Some now have up to 30 days to do so, with potential extensions for schooling, medical reasons, and close-down tasks. We understand everyone's concerns and the need to act thoughtfully, allowing time for this while remaining observant.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who helped during this time. Your unwavering support and dedication are instrumental in our journey. We could not have come this far without you.

Sincerely,

Celine

Many AAFSW members and DOS employees gathered on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 for an inspiring presentation and book signing by Jonna Mendez regarding her new published project entitled: "In True Face." As part of our continuing fundraising efforts, AAFSW received 20% of all book sales at the event.

Jonna Mendez is a retired CIA intelligence officer with 27 years of service. When she retired, Jonna was the Chief of Disguise at the CIA. Since that time, Jonna has continued her career as a photographer, a consultant / lecturer, and an author. Jonna is also a founding board member of the International Spy Museum. She and her husband, Tony Mendez, have published a number of books together, including ARGO -- which was made into an Oscar-winning film. 

"In True Face," which was presented at AAFSW Books and Global Treasures, is Jonna's most recent book. Many of Jonna's talks can be found online. Currently, Jonna is working on her next, and she says her last, book. Then, Jonna says, she will retire -- again.

AAFSW is grateful to Jonna Mendez for her thought-provoking book presentation and is looking forward to her next project. 

Joanna Athanasopoulos Owen, PhD

AAFSW Public Relations and Publicity Chair

If you know anyone affected by ongoing evacuations, please let them know to reach out to our Evacuee Support Network (ESN) and list what they need the most. 

Please let us know if you wish to help with ESN.

Join to become an active volunteer! Subscribe to receive our news. Donate to enable our teams and benefit evacuees. Contact us with any questions. 

We anticipate a high volume of inquiries and offers to help (thank you!) and we may not be able to respond to every email immediately. We will be in touch as soon as we can.

AAFSW, where the Foreign Service becomes a family!

As some of you have noted, we are now preparing for an evacuation from Kinshasa, Congo. 

Post has shared that they were notified of ordered departure on January 28 and anticipate the first families arriving over the weekend. 

If you know anyone affected by ongoing evacuations, please let them know to reach out to our Evacuation Support Network and list what they'd like to receive - A team will be at Dulles when the first evacuees arrive this Friday, January 31, and will supply warm clothes, and other necessary items.

If you wish to help and donate clothes, toys, or lend cribs, seat boosters, etc., there will be a donation box at the AAFSW BookStore in the basement. We are working to offer other donation points in the DMV. You can write to the team using the contact form in the link.

If you wish to help in any way, please let us know here.

AAFSW, where the Foreign Service becomes a family!

Introduction

The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide is seeking an Office Manager - available 20-30 hours a week - passionate about serving the U.S. Foreign Service community and growing the organization through membership outreach and development. The successful candidate will oversee day-to-day operations and ensure friendly service to its members. The ideal applicant will exhibit strong organizational skills, enjoy overseeing multiple assignments, value operational excellence, be adept at social media, and possess strong interpersonal skills.

This is a part-time, hybrid position located in Arlington, VA, with flexible hours and an option to telework several days a week. The starting pay for this position is GS-06 equivalent, with an increase to GS-07 after 6 months of satisfactory performance. Other benefits include paid annual and sick leave, telework flexibility, a U.S. Department of State badge, parking privileges, among others. 

Deadline to apply: COB February 21, 2025 (EST).

Summary of Responsibilities and Qualifications

The Office Manager is responsible for a variety of administrative and member-based duties as described (Other duties may be assigned):

Event Planning, Member Services, and Volunteer Coordination

• Assist with event planning and coordination, including compiling attendee lists, submitting access requests, assisting with guest check-in, arranging VIP guest escorts, and managing venue/room reservations at the State Department, in liaison with Diplomatic Security (DS).

• Coordinate volunteer activities with the committees’ chairs and build strong relationships with new volunteers. 

• Participate and contribute to membership growth strategies and programs. 

• Collate, record, and present summaries on membership growth and activity. 

• Availability for some fundraising dinners about three times a year.

• Availability to help with the association’s Art and Bookfair, held once a year for over two weeks in the fall at the State Department. 

Communications and Database Management

• Respond to queries made by phone and through email; draft and send correspondence, respecting established templates. 

• Compile and electronically disseminate information, including board meeting agendas and minutes, invitations, flyers, etc.

• Organize association files and databases, promptly entering and updating data as needed. 

• Manage and maintain the association management system,  verifying and updating the membership database.

• Coordinate requests for flyers with the vice-president in charge of communication.

• Print flyers, award certificates, and other collateral as needed.

Office Administration and Bookkeeping 

• Maintain a clean, well-organized, and welcoming office for use by board members and volunteers. 

• Assist and collaborate with AAFSW Board of Directors, committees’ chairs, program managers, volunteers, contractors, and other internal clients.

• Perform minor bookkeeping tasks, including billing and processing membership fees, event sales, and miscellaneous receipts; seek approval and pay routine invoices.

• Maintain office and computer equipment upgrades as needed to ensure quality performance. 

• Oversee supplies inventory and order as needed. 

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Creative critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Attention to detail and demonstrated experience with data entry, data maintenance, and reporting.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Familiarity with social media communications.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; proficiency or ability to quickly learn Google Workspace, Canva, and Wild Apricot. 

• Good understanding of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Foreign Service community.

• Familiarity with accounting software Quicken, and web-based CRM, or membership software, would be a plus.

• Hold an active background check or be able to obtain one upon hiring.

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and estimated availability to efmemployment@aafsw.org. Candidates invited for an interview will be required to send three references prior to the interview. Deadline is COB February, 21, 2025 (Eastern Standard Time). 

About AAFSW 

Created in 1960, the Associates of American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) is a 501(c)(3) membership-based non-profit association affiliated with the U.S. Department of State. AAFSW is dedicated to supporting the needs of the Community of U.S. Foreign Affairs agencies, including Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, spouses, partners, members of household and retirees thanks to the engagement of its volunteers. AAFSW is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, please visit aafsw.org. 

Dear AAFSW Members and Friends,

We are deeply saddened by the devastating wildfires currently affecting the Los Angeles area. A state of emergency has been issued, and thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this disaster.

If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources:

California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund / Wildfire Recovery Fund - California Community Foundation

 GlobalGiving's California Wildfire Relief Fund / Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation | Kindful

Chefs for California / World Central Kitchen

Pasadena Humane Society to support pet evacuations / Pasadena Humane | Compassionate Care for Animals Since 1903

Thank you for your generosity and compassion during this challenging time.

Best regards,

Celine 

Gratitude and Growth: AAFSW's Journey Forward

Dear AAFSW Members and Friends,

Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and generosity of our members and donors, and the dedication of our community. Your contributions have made a significant impact in furthering our mission.

In 2024, we received generous donations in memory of Betty Swope and Tom Switzer, as well as from our 2024 Annual Book Fair (ABF), our Dec. 6th Gala Fundraiser, Giving Tuesday, Youth Scholarships, Awards, and general contributions. Each donation has played a vital role.

It was a pleasure and an honor to greet you at our events and programs throughout 2024 year at embassies, and the Harry S. Truman Building (HST). We also participated in partner events such as onboarding, retirement ceremonies, and support of our foreign-born members with the Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) and the Inter Agencies Round Table (IART).

We are especially grateful for the visibility and support that Secretary Blinken and Ms. Evan Ryan brought to this year's Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) ceremony, as well as for the donations and words of support from Former Secretary Baker and Mrs. Baker and Former Secretary Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Their involvement has highlighted the importance of our work and the impact on our community globally.

Our Crisis Fund has been instrumental in supporting spouses in dire need of advice and financial support. Our virtual workshops and partner events have been valuable resources, and we have been actively involved in National Defense University (NDU)-related events, evacuation support, and the Art & Diplomacy event.

As we move forward into 2025, we remain committed to supporting the foreign service community and fostering connections through our events and initiatives. We look forward to seeing you this year and sharing more meaningful experiences together. Your generosity and involvement inspire us to continue making a positive impact in our foreign affairs community.

Best regards and best wishes for 2025,

Celine Ford