The Foreign Service Journal, April 2015

AFSA NEWS CALENDAR THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION 2014 SURVEY AFSA Listens to Its Members BY JANET HEDRICK, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2015 71 April 1 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting April 6 12-1:30 p.m. Luncheon Incoming USAID class April 12-16 AFSA Road Scholar Program Washington, D.C. April 14 12-1:30 p.m. Luncheon 181st A-100 class April 15 AFSA Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill April 15 Tax Day Don’t forget to consult the AFSA Tax Guide! May 1 Foreign Affairs Day AFSA Memorial Plaque Ceremony May 6 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting May 10 9 a.m. Third Annual Public Service 5K Run/Walk May 17-21 AFSA Road Scholar Program Washington, D.C. June 3 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting June 9 4-6 p.m. AFSA Awards Ceremony In 2014, AFSA conducted an extensive survey of members’ interests, priorities and degree of engagement with the asso- ciation.We were extremely pleased with the response: nearly 3,500 active-duty, retired and associate mem- bers took the survey during the three weeks it was open. (Some non-members also participated.) The results gave us a snapshot of our member- ship’s opinions. AFSA contracted Capital Development Strategies to conduct the survey, which covered a wide variety of top- ics related to Foreign Service careers, work-life balance, professional development, security and retiree issues, as well as AFSA-specific engage- ment questions. “This was a unique survey that served to confirm that our organization is focused on the priorities of the member- ship,” says AFSA Executive Director Ian Houston. The survey results will allow us “to adjust where necessary, refocus on key items and crystalize our services” and will assist in making deci- sions regarding policies and priorities,“to ensure AFSA continues to actively repre- sent its active-duty, retiree and associate constituencies at the highest level,”Houston adds. The 2014 AFSA survey was the first of its kind in that it sought input from across all constituencies, specialties, JEFFLAU