The Foreign Service Journal, March 2011

42 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / M A R C H 2 0 1 1 backs in today’s context, when for the first time in history there are more unionized Americans in government (counting the state and local levels) than in the private sector. Recent polls show a strong belief that public servants are paid too much, and con- siderable sympathy for the idea of freezing government salaries. It is entirely appropriate for us to draw the usual dis- tinctions between Civil Service responsibilities and our own unique challenges. But the Foreign Service has an addi- tional image problem that we probably have yet to live down — the October 2007 town hall meeting with Secre- tary of State Condoleezza Rice, during which the press got an unauthorized glimpse of the internal furor over possi- ble mandated assignments to Iraq. Despite the fact that volunteers ultimately filled all positions, the episode sent the message that some diplomats were reluctant to serve on the front lines. Let’s Emphasize Professional Concerns… At this point it should be pretty clear what I think AFSA’s focus has to be going forward. On top of deal- ing with current labor-management issues, the association must concen- trate on what has always been part of its job description: showing our fellow Americans the public face of a broadly representa- tive, disciplined corps of dedicated public servants, and pro- moting and explaining the importance of diplomacy. There are lots of ways to do this, and AFSA is already carrying out an imaginative array of programs: • Sending issues speakers on demand, encouraging re- tiree chapter activities around the country and organizing “Road Scholar” (formerly Elderhostel) educational events; • Conferring and publicizing lifetime diplomacy awards and awards for constructive dissent and independent thought within the Foreign Service, along with conducting F O C U S AFSA has evolved into a sophisticated, multifunctional, nonprofit organization.