Programs, Events and Updates
May-June 2017
- Vote in the AFSA Elections!
- Check Out a Century of Diplomatic History
- Networking Happy Hour, June 1
- AFSA Book Notes: “Enemy of the Good,” July 13
- AFSA to Honor Merit Award Winners on July 7
- Calling All FS Book Authors!
- Write for the Journal
- Honor Those Who Are No Longer with Us
- Make Sure AFSA Has Your Updated Address
1) VOTE IN THE AFSA ELECTIONS!
Ballots for the 2017 AFSA election were sent to eligible members on April 17. If you have a valid email address on file with AFSA, an email containing a unique passcode and instructions for voting online was sent to you. If you did not receive that email, eligible members may visit the secure online ballot site www.directvote.net/AFSA and request that an email containing unique login credentials be sent to you. Be sure to add noreply@directvote.net to your approved sender list to ensure receipt. Printed ballots were also sent to all retired members via USPS. If you have not received a ballot, please contact election@afsa.org. Details about the election, candidate statements, town hall video and bylaws can be found at www.afsa.org/elections. AFSA members are encouraged to vote in this election!
2) CHECK OUT A CENTURY OF DIPLOMATIC HISTORY
On May 11, AFSA launched the 99-year digitized archive of The Foreign Service Journal. Review the ongoing discourse on the diplomatic profession as the Foreign Service community reflects on everything from tradecraft to security, constructive dissent to the right way forward on reform. Discover the great foreign policy debates that transpired as the course of world history was decided time and time again. What becomes clear throughout is the invaluable role the Journal has played in capturing the history and the story of the U.S. Foreign Service and American diplomacy. View the FSJ Archive homepage at www.afsa.org/fsj-archive to browse and search more than 900 issues of the Journal. Visit the FSJ Special Collections page at www.afsa.org/fsj-special-collections to view select archive articles, highlighted for their interesting content and relevance to current affairs. This digital archive is a rich legacy of the U.S. Foreign Service and we hope you will take advantage of this unparalleled resource. Please send feedback and questions to fsjarchive@afsa.org.
3) NETWORKING HAPPY HOUR, JUNE 1
The next AFSA networking happy hour will take place on June 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Please join us, your colleagues and Foreign Service friends over drinks and light snacks. This is an excellent opportunity to meet members of the AFSA board and professional staff, network with fellow members of the Foreign Service and tell us what’s on your mind. $5 drink tickets for wine and beer will be available. Click here to RSVP.
4) AFSA BOOK NOTES: “ENEMY OF THE GOOD,” JULY 13
Prolific author and Foreign Service Officer Matthew Palmer makes a return appearance at AFSA on July 13 at 12:00 p.m. to discuss his new Foreign Service thriller, “Enemy of the Good.” In the book, a member of the Foreign Service posted to Bishkek is embroiled in a regional game of cat and mouse with the right amount of spy-thriller intrigue. This event takes place at AFSA headquarters, 2101 E St NW. Click here to register.
5) AFSA TO HONOR MERIT AWARD WINNERS ON JULY 7
On Friday July 7 at 10:00 a.m., AFSA will honor this year’s Merit Award recipients. This is the first time all Foreign Service youth will be honored at the same day, time and place as AFSA is joining the Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s (FSYF) Youth Awards Ceremony. American Associates of the Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) will bestow its awards as well, while the Family Liaison Office will a play coordinating role. Please join us in the George Marshall Auditorium for this celebratory event. Any questions can be directed to AFSA Scholarship Director Lori Dec at dec@afsa.org or (202) 944-5504.
6) CALLING ALL FS BOOK AUTHORS!
In November The Foreign Service Journal will celebrate the wealth of literary talent within the Foreign Service community with its annual “In Their Own Write” edition. Foreign Service-affiliated authors whose books have been published in 2016 or 2017 are invited to send us a copy of the book, along with a press release or backgrounder on it. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 1. For more information, please email journal@afsa.org.
7) WRITE FOR THE JOURNAL
The Journal is currently seeking strong writing for publication, especially Speaking Out submissions (1,500-1,800 words) as well as Reflections (700 words). Feature and focus topic articles are also welcome (1,500-2,000 words). The Foreign Service Journal welcomes your submissions on any topic of concern or interest to members of the FS community. Check in with Journal Editor Shawn Dorman (dorman@afsa.org) to find out about timing and what might fit. Assume at least 8-12 weeks from submission to publication. The Editorial Board meets monthly to review and vote on which submissions to publish. Find guidance on how and what to submit on the AFSA website. Please share your thoughts about articles you read in the Journal by sending a letter to the editor. Comments can also be shared on the AFSA or FSJ Facebook pages. Please send your feedback and submissions to journal@afsa.org.
8) HONOR THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US
To honor all members of the Foreign Service family, AFSA has created an online memorial page to remember those of your colleagues who have passed away. The online AFSA Memorial Tribute will offer a place to honor those who died while on active-duty as well as those who died after retirement, and pay tribute to their service, regardless of the circumstances of their deaths. You are invited to share your memories and stories of your deceased colleagues, family members and friends. As AFSA members share these personal remembrances, the Memorial Tribute will become more meaningful. More than 2,000 Foreign Service members (active-duty and retired) are now included on the site. Pictures and biographical information of deceased colleagues can be submitted by sending information to member@afsa.org with the subject line "AFSA Memorial Tribute."
9) MAKE SURE AFSA HAS YOUR UPDATED ADDRESS
Did you get the May issue of The Foreign Service Journal? If not, we probably don’t know where you are! Update your address now by sending an email to member@afsa.org or submitting an update via the AFSA website.