The Foreign Service Journal, March 2019

64 MARCH 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Notification of Proposed AFSA Bylaw Amendments for Referendum At the November 2018 AFSA Governing Board meeting, the Governance Committee brought forward several motions to amend the AFSA bylaws. Each motion was discussed and brought to a vote. Motions that were adopted by a simple majority of board members are below for AFSA members’ consideration. Pursuant to the AFSA bylaws, the proposed amendments must be put to the full AFSAmembership in a referendum. From March 1 through April 15, 2019, the Committee on Elections shall accept statements submitted in opposition to individual propos- als and signed by not less than 10 members. No two statements shall be signed by the same member. To submit a statement to the Elections Committee, contact election@afsa.org. On April 28, 2019, ballots will be emailed to all AFSA members and will contain the statements in support of and in opposition to the proposed amendments. Each proposal will be voted on individually. To review the AFSA bylaws in their entirety, visit http://afsa. org/afsa-bylaws. Amendment Number 1 Amend Article II by adding: “ To support, defend and enhance the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the foundation legislation of the Foreign Service of the United States.” If adopted, Article II would read: In accordance with the general purposes and objectives set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the following are declared to be the primary purposes and objectives of this association: • To further the interests and well-being of the members of the association; • To represent the members of the Foreign Service of the United States, in accordance with Chapters 10 (Labor-Man- agement Relations) and 11 (Grievances) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980; • To work closely with the foreign affairs agencies, the Congress and other interested institutions and individuals to strengthen the ability of the foreign affairs community to contribute to effective foreign policies; • To accept and receive gifts, grants, devises, bequests and funds as may be donated or otherwise given to this associa- tion by any person or persons, group or groups, and to utilize or dispose of the same for the purposes of this association, or as directed by said donors; • To maintain and operate a scholarship fund and such other funds as may be established by the board commensu- rate with the purposes and objectives of the association; • To publish The Foreign Service Journal and other official organs of the association; • To carry on such other activities as may be deemed prac- ticable in order to serve the interests of the association or its members; and • To support, defend and enhance the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the foundation legislation of the Foreign Service of the United States. Justification: The Foreign Service Act by statute places the Foreign Service at the center of the American foreign policy process. The Act confers upon AFSA, as the exclusive employee representative, authorities unique in the federal service to negotiate personnel policies and procedures. AFSA also has the unique ability and responsibility to ensure that government and private stakeholders understand, appreci- ate and support the role of the Foreign Service. If the Act is diluted or abolished, the State Department could become just another federal agency and AFSA could become just one of many professional organizations interested in foreign policy. Amendment Number 2 Amend Article V, Section 1 by adding: “Upon taking office, board members shall sign a Code of Conduct that includes restrictions against conflicts of interest. Within two months of taking office, board members shall participate in a session orienting them on AFSA’s policies, procedures and missions. That orientation shall include an explanation of board members’ individual and collective fiduciary responsibility. The board may select one of its members to serve as a non-executive chair (or presiding officer) for six-month renewable terms and, in consultation with the president, set board meeting agendas and conduct board meetings in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.” If adopted, Article V, Section 1 would read: Section 1. General: This association shall be governed by a Governing Board (herein called “the board”) consisting of regu- lar members in good standing, elected by the regular member- ship biennially for two-year terms as officers or representatives in the manner provided in Section 4 below. No member may serve more than four full consecutive terms (i.e., eight consecu- tive years) in any one position on the Governing Board. Upon taking office, board members shall sign a Code of Conduct that includes restrictions against conflicts of inter- est. Within two months of taking office, board members shall