The Foreign Service Journal, May 2004

A FSAhopes that youhavemadeplans to attend this year’s Foreign Affairs Day on Friday, May 7, and AFSA’s Day on the Hill on Thursday, May 6. Invitations have been sent to all thosewho attended last year’s event, aswell as all new A lthough it is hard for those of us involved tobelieve, AFSA-PAC is just over two years old. With respect to the committee’s context and operational environment, we have beenclimbing a steep learning curve. For example, AFSA-PAC is subject to the campaign finance laws as well as the rules, regulations and advisory opinions of the Federal ElectionsCommission. Manyof the regulationswe findourselves dealingwithare designed for larger, partisan PACs. We are small, totally bipartisan, and our agenda is limited to furthering the interest of the ForeignService and its people. Nevertheless, we must respond and report in a system designed todealwith the “bigguys.” To illus- trate, because the ForeignService Journal goes to a few hundred non-AFSAmembers, the following disclaimer is required of AFSA- PAC: “Contributions will be screened, and those frompersonsoutside the restrictedclass (non-AFSA) will be returned.” Then there is the matter of congression- al protocols regarding fundraising. Most membersofCongressparticipate in fundrais- er receptionshostedby their “Committees to Re-elect.” We have learned that it is impor- tant to make contributions — in person if possible—at theseoccasions. This is the cus- tomary practice. It is also useful in helping us become part of the process, and presents an occasion to chat with the senator or rep- resentative on matters of mutual interest. In terms of our objectives, AFSA-PAC had a very good second year of operation. Contributions increased 20 percent, as did our support for friends of theForeignService, particularly those on the appropriations and authorizationcommittees. Themost impor- tant new development was a very helpful meeting with the staff of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for the State Department. Inaddition toopening this dia- logue, we continuedour discussionswith the chairman and staff of the House Appropri- ations subcommittee. Our contributions cer- tainlydonotmean thatwe “bought”ourway into these and other meetings. AFSA has a reputation for representing the men and womenof theForeignService and its retirees, and this is an important niche. However, our PACcontributions underline the fact thatwe are supportive andappreciativeof our friends on the Hill, and that, too, is an important message. In closing, letme repeat themost impor- tant point from last year’s report: Constituency building is cumulative over time in its impact. Every year that we are a positive part of the process adds toour effec- tiveness. Wewill continue to seek your sup- port in these efforts and to report our ongo- ing results. ▫ American Foreign Service Association • May 2004 Inside This Issue: NEWS BRIEFS ....................................2 KEEPING THE FAITH...........................3 NEWS FROM USAID...........................4 EYE ON SECURITY ..............................6 PLANNED GIVING................................7 WHERE TO RETIRE.............................7 CAPITAL GAINS & HOME SALES........8 ON THE LIGHTER SIDE.......................9 AFSA NEWS BUILDING A CONSTITUENCY AFSA-PAC: SECOND REPORT BY TOM BOYATT, AFSA-PAC TREASURER JOSH AFSA President Called to Serve (Again) in Iraq I n mid-March, AFSA President John Limbert returned to Iraq for another temporary assignment. As he is one of the department’s best Arabic speakers, none of us were surprised that Amb. Limbert was again needed on the ground there. We hope to have him back at the helm of AFSA some time in May. In the meantime, AFSA State Vice President Louise Crane is acting president. Continued on page 6 Note: “AFSA-PAC: First Report” can be found in the February 2003 AFSA News at www.afsa.org/news/archives.cfm. FOREIGN AFFAIRS DAY 2004 Join AFSA for Retiree Homecoming and Trip to the Hill