AFSA-PAC: 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
BY TOM BOYATT, AFSA-PAC TREASURER

Dear Colleagues:

The American Foreign Service Association Political Action Committee (AFSA-PAC), created in 2002, continues to raise AFSA's profile on Capitol Hill. It is one of the legislative tools used to advance AFSA's agenda, helping to solve the overseas comparability pay issue and to secure important funding for our foreign affairs budgets. AFSA-PAC ensures that we have a seat at the table and allows us to draw greater attention to our issues.

In 2009, AFSA-PAC raised $24,575.00, down from the $29,000 mark we reached in both 2008 and 2007. Of our 405 donors, over 80% were retired members, and 13% donated from overseas posts. Unfortunately, the average donation, $60.70, was down a full $1 from 2008. We understand the fiscal realities faced by all of our colleagues, and we will, as always utilize the resources you donate as effectively as possible. All donations to the PAC are voluntary and no AFSA dues are used for political contributions. We continue to ensure strict compliance with federal and local election laws governing our activities.

During 2009, AFSA-PAC contributed $18,000 to our Congressional supporters' re-election efforts. Our focus continues to remain on the appropriating and authorizing committees with jurisdiction over Foreign Service management issues, Foreign Service staffing, and general foreign affairs matters. We enjoy our good relations with key decision-makers at the highest levels in both parties and we also look to expand our cultivation effort to include new faces.

As we implement AFSA's legislative agenda in 2010, we are confident that AFSA-PAC will continue giving the Foreign Service a greater voice. We are one of the precious few mechanisms solely focused on issues impacting our active-duty and retired colleagues. Our impact has been cumulative and we continue striving on your behalf.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas D. Boyatt
Treasurer

[This article appeared in the July/August 2010 edition of AFSANews in the Foreign Service Journal.]