The Foreign Service Journal, March 2009

MA R CH 2 0 0 9 / F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L 57 A F S A N E W S Y E A R I N R E V I E W Public Outreach T he career ForeignService faceda seri- ous public affairs image problem in the aftermath of State’s lamentable “townhallmeeting”inOctober2007,which left broadlynegativenationwidemedia and public perceptions that most FSOs are unwilling to serve in danger posts like Iraq and Afghanistan. AFSA responded in 2008with a steady outreach campaign to counter these neg- ative stereotypes, including more than 70 articles, letters, op-eds andAFSA interviews published innationalmedia, defending the courage and dedication of the career ForeignService involunteering for themost dangerous assignments around theworld. Prime examples includeAFSAPresident JohnNaland’s appearance on “TheNews- hour with Jim Lehrer” and an interview from his home on a CNN special, “The NewDiplomats,” as well as StateVP Steve Kashkett’s vigorous defense of the Foreign Service’s courage anddedicationonNPR’s “Diane Rehm” show. AFSA played a crucial role in the land- mark October 2008 study, “A Foreign Affairs Budget for the Future: Fixing the Crisis in Diplomatic Readiness,” released jointly by the American Academy of Diplomacy and the StimsonCenter. Cited innumerousmedia reports andarticles, the report documented the crucial need for increased funding and staffing for the Foreign Service. During the year, AFSA programmed over 470 retiree speakers inmore than100 universities, colleges, World Affairs Councils and policy forums in 44 states and Washington, D.C. All speakers were providedwithAFSAtalk- ing points and requested to emphasize the critical roleof theForeignService and U.S. diplomacy and to exhort audiences to contact their members of Congress and insist upon increased funding for U.S diplomacy. AFSAalso sponsored its ninthNational HighSchool EssayContest,withmore than 250 students participating. Thewinnerwas congratulated by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. —Tom Switzer, Director of Communications Elderhostel T heElderhostel programcontinued its expansion in 2008. Three new courses were offered during the year, all filled to capacity. AFSAoffered 11 weeklong programs in four locations (Washington, St. Petersburg, Tucson and Chautauqua), in addition to 10 one-day programs inWashington, D.C. AFSA was also chosen by Elderhostel headquarters in Boston to participate in a new pilot project to bring programs into retirement communities. AFSA partici- pated in five suchprograms inSilver Spring, Md., and Canton, Mass. Throughout the year, just over 1,300 people participated in AFSA’s Elderhostel programs nationwide. Some of our speak- ers includedAmbassadors Elizabeth Jones, James Collins, KentonKeith and Thomas Hubbard. At the endof 2008, Administra- tor Janice Bay retired after four successful years at the helm. She has been succeeded by Bernard Alter. —Ásgeir Sigfússon, USAID Office Manager AFSA Annual Report 2008 Deputy Secretary of State JohnNegroponte presents award toHigh School Essay Contest winner Alicia Constant. ANN THOMAS Scholarship Program T he 2008 AFSA Scholarship ProgramawardedAcademic andArtMerit Awards total- ing $35,700 to 26 high school seniors, and bestowed Financial Aid Scholarships total- ing $152,574on69undergraduate college students for the 2008-2009 school year. The Martha and George Newman Financial Aid Scholarship received a bequest totaling over $650,000 fromthe couple’s estate. Finally, theAFSAScholarshipFundmade a $37,500dona- tion to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (with a 100-percent match byFEEA) tohelpbegin topay for the college educationof childrenof ForeignService employ- ees who lost their lives in terrorist attacks. —Lori Dec, Scholarship Administrator JOHN MAMONE Janet Bayless presents Newman Trust donation to AFSA. From left: Chairman of AFSA Committee on Education Amb. C. Edward Dillery, Scholarship Director Lori Dec, Treasurer Andrew Winter, Bayless, AFSA President John Naland and Amb. Thomas Boyatt.