The Foreign Service Journal, April 2013

50 APRIL 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS USAID Survey continued from page 49 • Compared to previous years, morale has slightly improved, but responses show that conditions are still not at their opti- mal level. The most critical negative perception is that USAID FSOs are being treated unfairly in comparison with State Department FSOs. There continue to be complaints from overseas FSOs that the ICASS consolidation system is highly unfavorable to USAID’s needs. This is an area that requires special attention by the Administrator if he is to implement all of the USAID Forward initiatives expected of his staff. • One of the most encouraging findings is that there are positive developments in the Office of Human Resources. In spite of some caustic remarks about HR, the current 2012 survey shows a positive 10 percent gain compared to the pre- vious survey in 2011. In fact, several officers praised specific sections and individuals in HR for their improved customer service. And though the office’s “poor” rating is still close to 50 percent, which is unacceptable for any organization, this is the first indication that things are beginning to turn around. We can only hope it will continue.  It is our role to ensure top service for all USAID FSOs, which is our primary focus and reason for generating this survey. We will use the survey’s findings to provide you with the best possible service and support. n The U.S. Agency for Interna- tional Development Alumni Association was formed in 2009 by a group of former employees who wanted a professional association to 1) add informed voices to the national debate on devel- opment and foreign assis- tance; 2) encourage alumni to volunteer their time and expertise to strengthen USAID and the broader devel- opment community; and 3) facilitate social and profes- sional networking among USAID retirees.  Now entering its fifth year, UAA has over 750 registered alumni who stay in touch through www.usaidalumni. org, m onthly newsletters and events for those who live in the greater Washington, D.C., area. The UAA is also exploring events for alumni, both in the U.S. and overseas. In addition, a growing number of UAA members have worked with USAID as volunteers on critical devel- opment issues in a variety of ways. For example, 11 UAA volunteer mentors were recently paired with USAID staff in the Europe and Eur- asia Bureau in a four-month pilot project to determine the feasibility of having retirees mentor active-duty USAID staff in field missions, using Skype and other distance methods.  In 2012, at the request of USAID, the UAA launched an urban initiative to tap alumni USAID Alumni Association Continues to Grow expertise on urban policies and programming. Building on the success of the initial effort, UAA’s urban team now is helping to organize four workshops with USAID and other partners on such topics as urbanization, the environ- ment and sustainability in Asia, urban development pathways in Africa, financing cities in Latin America and urban governance.  UAA also has begun working with former USAID Foreign Service Nationals in the Washington, D.C. area to create a local FSN network and produce a handbook for FSNs and third-country- nationals overseas, who may resettle in the United States under the Special Immigrant Visa program, or who already are residing in the U.S.   UAA welcomes former staff who have served for at least two years at USAID, including former Foreign Service officers, Civil Service employees, political appoin- tees, fellows, FSNs, personal services contractors and other direct contract staff.   We urge all potential members and anyone interested in USAID and development issues, register- ing for the alumni directory or making a membership contribution, please check out www.usaidalumni. org. F or more information, please send an e-mail to kshort@usaidalumni.org. n AFSA-PAC Seeks Your Support: Help Get Our Voice Heard on the Hill The annual solicitation for the American Foreign Service Association Political Action Committee arrived in members’ mailboxes in March. AFSA-PAC is our vehicle for making our voice heard on Capitol Hill. It is completely bipartisan as its bylaws state that donations must be split evenly between Repub- lican and Democratic members of Congress. Please help AFSA raise the profile of the For- eign Service with those making important deci- sions about our profession’s resources and future. To make a donation, please return the reply card included with the mailing. We greatly appreciate your support. To learn more about AFSA-PAC, please visit www. afsa.org/afsa_pac.aspx. NEWS BRIEF