Please join us for a timely discussion on the various ways Foreign Service members can get their voices heard within our agencies if they disagree with policy, procedures, or want to explore more information on alternative ideas. AFSA understands that in our members’ Foreign Service careers, there could be times when you choose to speak out if you deeply disagree with current foreign policy, see procedures that should be implemented differently, or witness instances of misconduct or malfeasance that are prohibited under U.S. law. 

In this presentation, AFSA President Eric Rubin will start the discussion with some remarks on the Dissent Channel and some ideas on reinvigorating the Secretary’s Open Forum. We will then hear from two recent AFSA Dissent Award winners: Anna Boulos, who was able to effect a change in the Visa Lookout system that was fairer to Foreign Service consular officers; and Moises Mendoza, who set up a CPR training program at his post, where there was no medical unit, despite many administrative, financial, and legal challenges. AFSA Deputy General Counsel Raeka Safai will then remind members how they can use the federal whistleblower laws and the Inspector General channel to report malfeasance. 

We hope you will join us for this important discussion. The session will be held on Zoom and can be joined from a browser without having a Zoom account. Please register here by March 17. AFSA will send out a Zoom link 24 hours before the event.