The Foreign Service Journal, March 2011

M A R C H 2 0 1 1 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 47 In 2002 I recommended to the Governing Board that AFSA organ- ize and fund under existing legisla- tion a political action committee similar to those operated by every other union, nongovernmental or- ganization, business entity, church, etc. My argument was that while we had a constitutional right to petition Congress, the most effective way to do so was defined by the culture of that body, not by us. The recommenda- tion was accepted, and AFSA-PAC was organized. The Value of AFSA-PAC AFSA-PAC differs from most other PACs in several important respects. First, we are funded by voluntary contributions, not a dues check-off, and we contribute to both parties equally, as required by our internal bylaws. In addition, we donate only to House and Senate cam- paigns, as well as to sitting members who are on relevant committees or are proven “friends of the Foreign Service.” The purpose of our PAC (like any other) is to make organizational views clear to the relevant commit- tee and subcommittee chairs and ranking members, and other mem- bers. By contributing to these legis- lators’ “Committees to Re-elect,” we are invited to their small, personal functions (breakfasts, lunches, receptions and dinners) at which all participants have the opportunity for discussions directly with the principal. Over time, this process has had the effect of giving AFSA a seat at the table whenever relevant legislation is being forwarded or discussed. There is nothing sinister about this educative process. Indeed, every FSO who has made diplomatic representations at a cocktail or din- ner party to a local official should recognize its utility. During the past four years, AFSA’s congressional op- F O C U S AFSA-PAC has given us a seat at the table whenever relevant legislation is being forwarded or discussed.