The Foreign Service Journal, March 2007

70 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / MA R CH 2 0 0 7 A F S A N E W S Y E A R I N R E V I E W AFSA Annual Report 2006 Foreign Service compensation systemby insti- tuting a uniformpay scale across the world and tying this to a pay-for-performance sys- tem. For their academic and art accomplishments, 22 Foreign Service high school seniors receive $26,500 in AFSA scholarship funds. Amb. Holmes meets with International Trade Administration Under Secretary Frank Lavin to explain the need for greater cooperation between Commerce Department manage- ment and AFSA, noting that AFSA supports a strong career Foreign Commercial Service integrated into ITA. Holmes also expresses concern about funding shortages that could lead to cutbacks or closures and the slow deci- sion-making process within Commerce to address issues like SFS pay and pay for perfor- mance. AFSA representatives attend the U.S. Postal Service ceremony to unveil the Distinguished American Diplomats series of stamps at the 2006World Philatelic Exhibition in Washington, D.C. AFSA was instrumental in pushing for a diplomat stamp series. Results of a survey of 230 AFSA/FCS members, posted on the Web site and circulated, show very strong support for the fight for overseas locality or comparability pay, as well as for the view that overall work- ing conditions for the FCS are worsening. Amb. Holmes speaks to the Foreign Affairs Retirees of New England at a luncheon in Wells, Maine. JUNE AFSA’s annual awards ceremony takes place on June 22 at the State Department, co-spon- sored by Director General of the Foreign Service George Staples. Awards are presented for constructive dissent as well as for extraor- dinary contributions to effectiveness, profes- sionalism and morale. At the AFSA awards ceremony, Director General George Staples presents a special award of appreciation to retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., for his many achievements on behalf of the Foreign Service. Retired Ambassador L. Bruce Laingen is recognized for his many years of dedicated service to AFSA as chairman of the Awards & Plaque Committee. The AFSA Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award is presented to Ambassador Morton Abramowitz by Dr. James Schlesinger. AFSA proposes the implementation of a Home Marketing Incentive Program to assist DS Agents who relocate within the U.S. AFSA again proposes an increase in the sepa- rate maintenance allowance to accompany efforts to encourage employees to serve at unaccompanied posts. Concerns about the quality and durability of Kevlar vests issued to DS agents for use in dangerous areas is the subject of an AFSA communication to management. AFSA protests the assignment of a Senior Executive Service (Civil Service) employee to fill the Foreign Service position of chief infor- mation security officer in the IRMBureau. Stacy Session, a rising senior at Florida A&M, is chosen as the 2006 AFSA/Thursday Luncheon Group summer intern, and begins work in Embassy Nairobi’s management office. AFSA arranges for Ambassador Richard Holbrooke to explain the key role of the Foreign Service in the Middle East to the Washington Foreign Law Society. FCS VP Businger addresses the Regional Conference of the Africa/Near East/South Asia Senior Commercial Officers in Philadelphia. Amb. Holmes travels to San Francisco on the invitation of the Foreign Service Association of Northern California. He meets with local press to speak about the Foreign Service role in defending and advancing U.S. interests. JULY AFSA’s National High School Essay Contest winners are honored at the 2006 Youth Awards Ceremony at the State Department. AFSAmeets with Secretary Rice to discuss staffing issues, overseas comparability pay and transformational diplomacy. AFSA submits its “wish list” to the DG, covering a variety of personnel issues. The Human Resources Bureau reviews and works on these issues over the year. Concern about the bidding process for employees with restrictive (Class 2) medical clearances is the subject of an AFSA commu- nication to management. AFSA/FAS meets with the Board of Examiners to review possible changes to test- ing procedures for new applicants. USAIDVice President Bill Carter retires after three years with AFSA. USAID Representative Francisco Zamora takes on the VP job, andMike Henning assumes the rep- resentative position. AFSA/FAS hosts a reception at the global attachés conference in Crystal City, Va.