The Foreign Service Journal, April 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2014 45 AFSA NEWS CALENDAR THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION 4/2/2014 12:00 - 2:00 PM AFSA Governing Board Meeting 4/10/2014 12:30 - 2:00 PM Luncheon: The 133rd Specialist Class 4/16/2014 12:30 - 2:00 PM Luncheon: USAID’s DLI-26 Class 4/16/2014 2:00 - 3:30 PM “The U.S. Public Diplomacy Deficit” with P.J. Crowley 4/29/2014 2:00 - 3:30 PM AFSA Book Notes: “The Demilitarization of American Diplomacy” 5/2/2014 Foreign Affairs Day AFSA Memorial Plaque Ceremony 5/4/2014 Public Service Recognition Week 5/7/2014 12:00 - 2:00 PM AFSA Governing Board Meeting AFSA Releases Guidelines for Successful Performance as a Chief of Mission When the new AFSA Govern- ing Board began its term in mid-2013, its members set out numerous goals that they wanted to achieve during their two-year term of office on behalf of AFSA’s member- ship. These goals were laid out as part of AFSA’s strate- gic plan which was adopted by the Board in the fall of last year. One key issue—and one of those stated goals—is ensur- ing that chief of mission nominees have the qualities, experience and characteris- tics that will enable them to succeed. We believe that it is crucial for the success of U.S. foreign policy and our standing in the world that they succeed; and it is of overriding importance to our members who serve in mis- sions abroad that they have strong, qualified leaders. One way to do that, AFSA concluded, would be to produce a set of standard guidelines, based on the experience of retired chiefs of mission. On Feb. 25, the association released “Guide- lines for Successful Perfor- mance as a Chief of Mission,” a set of criteria that are politically neutral and can be applied to all nominees, both career and non-career (see p. 49 for the full text). AFSA’s intent was to add a thoughtful, useful reference document to the process, stake out the high ground and produce guidelines that those managing the nomination and confirmation process can—and we hope will—use to take the measure of potential nominees and determine whether they have what it takes to be a suc- cessful chief of mission, if nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. THE PROCESS AFSA convened a work- ing group of 10 former chiefs of mission, including career and non-career ambassadors who served with distinc- tion through the last eight presidential administrations, with the intention of identify- ing the characteristics of a strong ambassador. The group, led by long- time AFSA member Ambas- sador Charles Ray, took a broad view, looking at avail- able guidance on the subject including legislation and how other associations determine qualifications for their posi- tions. BY KRISTEN FERNEKES, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Continued on page 48 AFSA’s message is that the American people and the president deserve the most qualified women and men to serve as U.S. ambassadors. They reviewed the Ameri- can Bar Association’s vetting procedures for potential federal bench candidates; referred to the Foreign Ser- vice Act of 1980; pored over reports from the Office of the Inspector General cover- ing chief of mission issues; perused cases presented to AFSA’s legal team; and stud- ied other relevant documen- tation. The process was not without controversy. Working group members had their own points of view. However, given the importance of the task and the collegial nature of the group, they achieved consensus and approved the final draft document unani- mously. The document was shared with the AFSA Governing Board at their December meeting. After comments and questions were addressed, the Board approved the guidelines by a substantial majority during their January meeting. Following passage of the guidelines, AFSA leadership, staff and working group members moved deliberately through a series of briefings to key stakeholders in the chief-of-mission selection, nomination and confirma- tion process including State Department leadership, the Office of White House