The Foreign Service Journal, March 2013

64 MARCH 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 2012 AFSA ANNUAL REPORT AFSA NEWS AFSA welcomed 870 new members in 2012, most joining at the monthly luncheons held for entering Foreign Service classes at AFSA headquarters. While the number of total students joining the Foreign Service is down 28 percent from 2011 (due to a decrease in agency hiring), an overwhelming majority continue to choose to join AFSA. We hosted 15 recruitment events this year, including three retirement luncheons for graduates from the Foreign Service Institute’s Job Search Program. AFSA is committed to providing excellent service and access to valuable member benefits, and protecting member interests. Our success is evident by the rising membership numbers: AFSA member- ship increased by 1.5 percent in 2012, to a record total of 16,167 members. AFSA BY THE NUMBERS : • 70 percent of overseas posts have an AFSA representative • 400 members participated in the AFSA-sponsored Zipcar program • 568 Foreign Service community members are lifetime members of AFSA • 1,954 members participated in one or more of the AFSA- sponsored insurance programs • AFSA ended the year with a record 16,167 members Member Services: Quantity and Quality BY JANET HEDRICK, DIRECTOR MEMBER SERVICES (Left to Right) Member Services Director Janet Hedrick, Member Services Representative Kristy Pomes and Administrative Assistant Ana Lopez. PHOTOSBYDONNAAYERST

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