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EXECUT I VE D I RECTOR ’ S REPORT
Ian Houston
Need Headshot
A VIBRANT ORGANIZATION
AFSA celebrated its 92nd anniversary this year, and
in that rich tapestry we find multiple examples of
how the organization has advanced the dual mission
of AFSA as a union and professional association for
the Foreign Service.
It is always a sincere privilege for me in my role as
executive director to have moments with individuals
who have been members of AFSA for over 50 years or
more. These conversations remind me that effective
leaders must see themselves as modest stewards, and
always be respectful of that which has preceded them.
Those tasked with helping lead organizations must also
view respecting the past as affording nourishment for a
healthy organizational future. If not, there is the genu-
ine risk of allowing tradition or the thinking of “we have
always done it that way” to dampen the spark of inno-
vation that leads to necessary organizational change.
Speaking from the perspective of years of experience
here at AFSA, I can report that your professional associ-
ation and union is confident at this moment in address-
ing difficult questions that have gone unaddressed or
unresolved.
One particularly proud AFSA moment this year was
that we paid off early an existing debt on a substantial
renovation of the AFSA headquarters building that was
completed 8 years ago.
Certainly very few organizations of our size and mission
can say that they fully own the asset of a building in
such a prime location in Washington, D.C. Moreover, this
building is the spiritual home of the Foreign Service
– owned by you as members. Additionally, AFSA again
achieved a clean financial audit for 2016. This is an im-
portant outside assurance to obtain, but we are contin-
ually looking to improve. For example, at the end of 2016
we laid the foundation to complete an expert outside
review of our scholarship fund in 2017. This review will
help ensure that we are employing best practices. AFSA
will make adjustments where appropriate in an effort
to foster quality oversight of this sizable fund.
One of AFSA’s most important resources and assets is
the professional staff that supports the elected AFSA
Governing Board in carrying out a vision on behalf of
the membership. From the outset of the elected board’s
term which began in 2015, AFSA President Ambassador
Barbara Stephenson, who chairs the board, and fellow
AFSA is financially sound with
a well-managed budget of
$4.5m
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AFSA also has a solid operating
investment reserve of
$2.8m
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