The Foreign Service Journal, March 2012

Family Member Employment: AFSA will be dedicating the month of April to spotlighting issues facing Foreign Service fam- ily members. To frame the discussion, that month’s Foreign Service Journal will focus on FS family member employment is- sues and AFSA’s efforts to address them. Although our empha- sis will be on best practices and tips, we expect to present the full spectrum of experiences family members face regarding em- ployment, including the problems and frustrations that often come with the territory. Frequent contributor Shawn Zeller, a journalist at Congressional Quarterly , has written an in-depth investigative article exploring the issue, drawing heavily on input from our members. Thanks to all who shared their stories and lessons learned. The issue will also feature several first-per- son accounts from the field. Third Culture Kids: In April, we will offer two events with a Foreign Service family emphasis. On Monday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m., we are proud to present a panel discussion on Third Cul- ture Kids, highlighting the Foreign Service experience. Panelists Rebecca Grappo, Ruth Van Reken, Julia Simens and Rebecca Oden, all experts who have studied TCKs from discrete view- points, will devote particular attention to the question of emo- tional resilience, asking what enables some kids to adapt well to Foreign Service life while others struggle. The discussion will take place at AFSA-HQ, 2101 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C., and all are invited. Please RSVP to events@afsa.org. Health Benefits: On Monday, April 23, we will shift our at- tention to the other end of the age spectrum with a presenta- tion on a common problem facing seniors and retirees: coordinating Federal Employee Health Benefits with individual Medicare benefits. The American Foreign Service Protective Association’s Paula Jakub will be our featured speaker and will be on hand to answer all of your questions. This event will also take place at AFSA-HQ and begins at 2 p.m. Please RSVP to events@afsa.org. 62 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 2 A F S A N E W S LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY WITH 31 YEARs’ successful experience SPECIAL- IZING FULL-TIME IN FS GRIEVANCES will more than double your chance of winning: 30% of grievants win before the Grievance Board; 85% of my clients win. Only a private attorney can ade- quately develop and present your case, including necessary regs, arcane legal doctrines, precedents and rules. Call Bridget R. Mugane at Tel: (301) 596-0175 or (202) 387-4383. E-mail: fsatty@comcast.net Free initial telephone consultation WIlls/EsTATE PlANNINg by attorney who is a former FSO. Have your will reviewed and updated, or new one prepared: No charge for initial consultation. M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, P.C. 307 Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna VA 22180. Tel: (703) 281-2161. Fax: (703) 281-9464. E-mail: mbhirshorn@boringandpilger.com ExPERIENcEd ATTORNEYs REPREsENTINg Fs officers in grievances, performance, promotion and tenure, financial claims, discrimination and disciplinary actions. We represent FS officers at all stages of the proceedings from an investigation, issuance of proposed discipline or the initiation of a grievance, through to a hearing before the FSGB. We provide experienced, timely and knowledgeable advice to employees from junior untenured offi- cers through the Senior FS, and often work closely with AFSA. Kalijarvi, Chuzi & Newman. Tel: (202) 331-9260. E-mail: attorneys@kcnlaw.com ATTORNEYs ExPERIENcEd IN representing Foreign Service of- ficers and intelligence community members in civil and criminal investigations, administrative inquiries, IG issues, grievances, dis- ciplinary investigations and security clearance issues. Extensive State Department experience, both as counsel to the IG and in L, and in representing individual officers. We have handled suc- cessfully some particularly difficult cases confronting Foreign Service and intelligence officers, both before the Foreign Service Grievance Board and in the federal and local courts. We work closely with AFSA when appropriate and cost-effective. Doumar Martin PLLC. Tel: (703) 243-3737. Fax: (703) 524-7610. E-mail: rmartin@doumarmartin.com Web site: www.doumarmartin.com CAREER COUNSELING sEARcHINg FOR dIREcTION, follow-through, balance or joy in your personal or professional life? Request a free coaching conversation from SoulPowerCoach.com. Tel: (703) 405-2029. E-mail: coach@mysoulpower.net URL: www.mysoulpower.net TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES bETTY dIEbOld cPA, summERFIEld, FlA . Over 20 years of experience in tax planning and tax preparation. I personally file all federal tax forms and state tax returns electronically with fast turnaround. Quick Books Bookkeeping Services are also avail- able. Tel: (352) 347-4732. E-mail: bettydiebold@centurylink.net CLASSIFIEDS April is Foreign Service Family Month at AFSA AFSA NEWS BRIEFS