The Foreign Service Journal, April 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2017 53 AFSA NEWS LeadershipWebinar Draws 50 AFSA State Representatives Don Jacobson (left) and Jason Donovan discuss leadership questions during a webinar hosted at AFSA headquarters. AFSA/ALLANSAUNDERS On Jan. 25, AFSA hosted a webinar, “Making Time to Lead,” at its E Street head- quarters building. Speaking with approxi- mately 50 participants online, AFSA Governing Board State Representatives Don Jacob- son and Jason Donovan explored why making a place for regular conversations about work performance and professional development is vital to the optimal function- ing of a team. Jacobson and Donovan, both members of the iLead initiative, addressed the roles of supervisors and super- vised officers and provided practical advice and deeper insights into managing work- place challenges. They also discussed a range of professional and leadership development initiatives being pursued by “champions” at the State Department as well as at posts abroad. In the Q&A session that followed, members asked about dealing with toxic management, learning how to have difficult conversa- tions and transitioning from being an action officer to a manager. The presenters referred participants to links and resources that are available via the AFSA website, www. afsa.org/leadership. For those with access to the Department of State’s intranet, a number of other resources are available through the department’s leadership and mentoring portals. AFSA looks forward to hosting other leadership webinars in the near future. Sign up for AFSAnet emails for more information about upcoming events and oppor- tunities. If you have particular leadership questions or themes you would like to address, please contact Allan Saunders at saunders@afsa. org. n —Allan Saunders, Outreach and Communications Specialits AFSAWelcomes NewMembers In February, AFSA hosted three recruitment luncheons at its headquarters building. On Feb 9, AFSA State Vice President Angie Bryan welcomed the 144th Spe- cialist class (93 members), speaking to them about the role of AFSA as a professional association and labor union. Members of the 189th A-100 class (83) attended a luncheon at AFSA on Feb. 13, and members of the 12th Consular Fellows class were welcomed on Feb 15. AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson greeted both classes. Amb. Stephenson, State VP Bryan and other mem- bers of the AFSA Governing Board were on hand to speak with new members of the Foreign Service and answer their questions about AFSA and the many ways the asso- ciation can assist, protect and advocate for them. n AFSA/GEMMADVORAK AFSA/GEMMADVORAK Above (right), AFSA State Representative Susan Danewitz introduces herself to the new specialists and (left) AFSA Secretary Bill Haugh answers questions from members of the 189th A-100 class.