The Foreign Service Journal, January 2006

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 49 etirees play a key role in AFSA’s nationwide outreach programs, which are aimed at creating a domestic constituency for the Foreign Service, resulting in expanded public support for funding for diplomatic readiness. Retirees support outreach by writing articles and op-eds for their local papers or by public speaking. One of our most effective outreach ele- ments is the Speakers Bureau, which in 2005 deployed Foreign Service retirees to explain the importance of U.S. diplomacy to more than 27,000 attendees at over 480 pro- grams in 43 states and Washington, D.C. AFSA’s speaker corps comprises more than 490 retired Foreign Service officers, including 80 former ambassadors, most of them still actively involved in inter- national affairs as teachers, authors, business people and consultants. Drawing on their expertise, personal experiences and historical perspectives, they offer audiences an opportu- nity both to explore the complex, often confusing inter- national order that has replaced the Cold War and to reflect on the evolving role of American diplomacy in the face of global terrorism and other challenges. Their audi- ences range from major world affairs councils and uni- versities to community-service organizations, town meet- ings, business conventions, high schools and local media. Retiree speakers receive talking points and issue updates from AFSA, as well as promotional material for AFSA’s excellent book, Inside a U.S. Embassy . Using this material, speakers typically emphasize the critical role of diplomacy in advancing America’s vital security and economic interests around the globe. They encour- age audience members to contact their congressional representatives to request increased funding for U.S. diplomatic readiness. Speakers also reach out to talented youth — especially minority-group members — to encourage them to consider Foreign Service careers. (A number of speakers participate in State Department- sponsored recruitment fairs at colleges countrywide.) Retirees have also played a major role in educating Americans on the vital role performed by U.S. diploma- cy in the ongoing struggle against terrorism. Since 9/11 we have deployed more than 650 retiree experts on coun- terterrorism, Middle Eastern and South Asian issues for speaker and media programs nationwide. The Speakers Program As director of communications, I coordinate the national speakers program here at AFSA, with the wel- come and able assistance of activist retirees in a number of states, most prominently Florida, Virginia, California, F O C U S O N F S R E T I R E M E N T R ETIREES B UILD S UPPORT FOR THE F OREIGN S ERVICE R FS RETIREES EXPLAINED THE IMPORTANCE OF U.S. DIPLOMACY TO MORE THAN 27,000 ATTENDEES AT PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN 2005. B Y T OM S WITZER