The Foreign Service Journal, March 2007

MA R CH 2 0 0 7 / F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L 69 A F S A N E W S Y E A R I N R E V I E W employees, their families and their possessions to the location where they have been called up to serve, rather than toWashington, D.C. The department has not yet implemented this suggestion. AFSA protests the department’s handling of cases where employees had no prior knowl- edge of their referral to a Performance Standards Board, and meets with HR to dis- cuss improved procedures for the future. AFSA writes to Under Secretary for Management Fore in support of an “equaliza- tion fund” to facilitate employment of Eligible Family Members overseas at U.S. salaries. AFSA registers its opposition to the proce- dures for granting educational allowances when a school at post changes from “inade- quate” to “adequate.” More than 100 members attend AFSA’s Town Hall meeting inWashington. AFSA/USAID successfully concludes negotia- tions with management on a new system of rules for tenure at USAID. Former AFSA President Marshall Adair and Ginger Adair establish the first perpetual endowed gift to the Fund for American Diplomacy in memory of Marshall’s parents, Caroline and Charles W. Adair. AFSA arranges for four senior retirees to explain the importance of the Foreign Service as part of the Johns Hopkins University “Evergreen” continuing education series. AFSA/FCS tables three midterm bargaining issues for consideration by management: Senior Foreign Service pay policy reform; improvements in the Work Plan and Appraisal Form (ITA-723); and the proposal for a Standing Committee, including AFSA, onMPPAS and precept reforms. AFSA/Elderhostel offers the first of three weeklong programs inWashington, D.C. A total of 135 people attend these programs, which include a revamped presentation on the “new Europe.” Speakers include Ambassadors J. Anthony Holmes, Robin Raphel and Richard Beecroft. APRIL AFSA writes to the department concerning its lack of procedures for pay equalization when granting the extra 22 days of military leave authorized by 5 USC 6323(b). The depart- ment agrees that procedures are required, but has not yet implemented them. AFSA agrees to a special time-in-class/time- in-service extension for SFS and FS-1 officers at critical-needs posts, and proposes that this cover all FS-1s who have opened their win- dow. The department agrees. A change in the Foreign Affairs Manual is the subject of an AFSA proposal to management. AFSA proposes that Eligible Family Members employed at normally unaccompanied posts receive post differential. The department agrees to review this recommendation. AFSA continues discussions with the depart- ment on the regulations and implementation schedule for the new Cybersecurity Program, securing some important changes to the pro- posed FAM. AFSA/USAID successfully resolves two long, arduous cases following a federal court win. Each case involves separation of an untenured employee. Both employees are retroactively restored to the employment rolls to the date of their improper separation. Both are also promoted and awarded legal fees. An AFSA delegation led by Amb. Holmes, accompanied by FCS VP Donald Businger, FCS Rep. Will Center and Legislative Director Nakamura, presents testimony to the House Committee on Small Business. Amb. Holmes argues for a stronger role and much better funding for commercial diplomacy to help support small business exporters in the global competitive marketplace. Amb. Holmes delivers the keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the Foreign Service Retiree Association of Florida in Pembroke Pines. FCS VP Businger addresses non-management members at the Regional Conference of the East Asia and Pacific Senior Commercial Officers in Los Angeles and at the Regional Conference of the Western Hemisphere SCOs in Colorado Springs. MAY During AFSA’s “Day on the Hill” onMay 4, the day before Foreign Affairs Day, staff and officers take retirees from nine states and the District of Colombia to Capitol Hill to meet lawmakers and their staffers. Retirees lobby for AFSA’s legislative proposals — including overseas comparability pay, full funding of the international affairs budget and other mea- sures benefiting both active-duty and retired diplomats —and instill in legislators an awareness of the critical role played by the Foreign Service. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Amb. Holmes preside over the AFSAMemorial Plaque Ceremony, held as part of Foreign Affairs Day onMay 5. Family members, dis- tinguished guests and Foreign Service col- leagues gather at the solemn event to honor those killed overseas in the line of duty during the past year. Four names are added to the AFSAMemorial Plaque, bringing the total to 222. Three of the fallen were killed in Iraq, and one was killed in Pakistan. AFSA writes to, and subsequently holds discussions with, officials of the State Department Federal Credit Union concerning banking facilities for overseas members. AFSA agrees to a package of incentives to encourage bidders on positions at Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Teams, including limited changes to the procedural precepts for the promotion boards. AFSA writes toM/MED concerning the pay- ment of medical expenses for a dependent child suffering fromPTSD in the wake of the Nairobi embassy bombing. M/MED responds favorably, granting a one-year extension. AFSA commences a lengthy dialogue with HR on the proposed bill to modernize the AFSA Annual Report 2006