The Foreign Service Journal, March 2010

64 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / MA R CH 2 0 1 0 Benefits of AFSA Membership AFSA Annual Report 2009 AFSA BY THE NUMBERS: What Happened in 2009? 13 AFSA press releases went out 17 major TV-radio-print journalists covered Foreign Affairs Day 44 states hosted AFSA speakers 49 AFSA-related letters, interviews and articles appeared in U.S. media 80 percent of overseas posts have an AFSA representative 99 students received AFSA scholarship aid 300 people are regular online readers of the Foreign Service Journal 473 FS community members are AFSA lifetime members 480 AFSA speaker events took place across the country 850 people attended AFSA Exploritas programs 1,000 is the number of USAIDmembers, leading to a second AFSA board rep 1,232 fans joined AFSA’s Facebook page by year’s end 2,293 people read FSJ ’s October “Public Diplomacy” issue online 9,635 members subscribe to AFSAnet, regularly receiving news updates 14,606 individuals are AFSAmembers 30,000 citizens attended Speakers Program events nationwide 195, 750 dollars were bestowed in AFSA student awards and scholarships AFSA Core Values THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION Established in 1924. MISSION Tomake the ForeignService amore effec- tive agent of United States international leadership. VISION We work to make the Foreign Service a better-supported, more respected, more satisfying place inwhich to spend a career and raise a family. — RESPONSIVENESS: We listen to our members and actively promote their interests. — EFFECTIVENESS: We actwith a sense of urgency, get results andmake adifference. — INTEGRITY: We demonstrate openness, honesty and fairness in everythingwe do. — EFFICIENCY: We carefully expend our resourceswhere they canhavemaximum impact. — COMMUNITY: We foster teamwork, respect each other and enjoy our time together. — COURAGE: We encourage responsible risk-taking in order to achieve results. — PATRIOTISM: We are faithful to the grand and enduring ideals that gave our nation birth. — EMPOWERMENT: We trust each other togiveour best efforts guidedby these core values. Labor Management Relations: AFSA negotiates the regulations affecting employees’ careers. We work tomake the Foreign Service a better place in which to work, live and raise a family. Our network of AFSA post repre- sentatives provides on-site assistance tooverseas members. Congressional Advocacy: AFSA is your advocate beforeCongress on issues affecting the careers of activemembers and the annuities of retired members. Ombudsman: We work to resolve mem- berproblemswithpay,allowances,claims,annu- ities, health care and many other issues. Voice of the Foreign Service: As the professional association of the Foreign Service since 1924, AFSAworks to strengthenour pro- fessionandisevervigilantforthreatstothecareer Foreign Service. Grievance Representation: AFSA’s legal staff provides hands-on assistance with griev- ance proceedings when your rights are violat- ed. Outreach: AFSAcommunicates the views of the Foreign Service on professional issues to the newsmedia anddirectly to the general pub- lic. Foreign Service Journal : Ourmonth- lymagazine offers provocative articles that will keep you current on developments in the for- eign affairs profession. AFSA News : AFSA’smonthly newsletter, insidethe ForeignServiceJournal ,highlightsissues affecting your daily life. AFSA Web Site: Our onlinemember area includes a member directory and member forums. AFSAnet: Regular e-mail updates keepyou current on issues of importance to the Foreign Service community. Legal Services: We offer free legal advice and representation on employment issues, including security andOIG investigations, dis- cipline cases and security clearanceproceedings. Insurance Programs: You can choose amongcompetitivelypricedinsuranceprograms designed for the Foreign Service community, including professional liability, long-termcare, accident, dental and personal property/transit. AFSA Scholarships: Approximately 100 merit-basedand financial-need scholarships are granted every year to Foreign Service family members. Since 1926, AFSAhas awardednear- ly $5,000,000 in scholarships. AFSA Awards: This unique awards pro- gram honors constructive dissent and out- standing performance. Retiree Newsletter: This bimonthly newsletter is exclusively for retired members. Directory of Retired Members: This invaluable annual listing, by state, of contact information for retiredmembers is provided to all retired AFSAmembers. Magazine Discounts: AFSAmembersare eligible for special discounts on subscriptions to major foreign affairs journals. Esprit de Corps: Wework tobuilda sense of common cause and professional pride among all ForeignServicemembers: active-duty and retired; generalist and specialist; entry-level, mid-level and senior. AFSA Memorial Plaques: Established in 1933, and maintained by AFSA, these plaques in theTrumanBuilding lobby honormembers of the Foreign Servicewho lost their lives over- seas in the line of duty.