THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 71 AFSA NEWS but retained the requirement for in-person attendance at the remaining meetings, because experience showed that discussion and decisionmaking are enhanced by in-person participation. This proposed amendment would allow those board members to attend up to six meetings virtually during any 12-month period. Amendment 4— Board Vacancies Amend Article V, Section 6 by inserting at the end of the paragraph: “However, if the board cannot find a suitable candidate, the board may appoint a former tenured member of the constituency who separated from the Service within five years prior to the start of the term of office.” Justification: During the past year, resignations of elected board officers left vacant several active-duty constituency positions for which the board has been unable to find a member of that constituency to volunteer to fill. If that situation persists or recurs, this provision would allow the board to appoint a recently separated member from that constituency. Amendment 5— Governing Board Attendance Amend Article V, Section 8 by striking: “The president, secretary, treasurer, constituency vice presidents, and representatives of constituencies with more than 299 members shall participate via in-person attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of the board within 60 days of taking office on July 15 or appointment to office thereafter, and throughout their term in office. If they are unable to participate via in-person attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of the board, e.g., because of transfer, they shall submit their resignations” and inserting: “The president, secretary, treasurer, constituency vice presidents, and representatives of constituencies with more than 299 members shall participate via in-person attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of the board within 60 days of taking office on July 15 or appointment to office thereafter, and throughout their term in office. Absent circumstances approved by a vote of the board, if they are unable to participate via in-person attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of the board they shall submit their resignations.” Justification: While experience has shown that discussion and decisionmaking at board meetings are enhanced by in-person participation, events of the past year raise the prospect of unpredictable future circumstances preventing a board member from participating in-person at board meetings. Amendment 6— AFSA President Responsibilities Amend Article VI, Section 2 by striking “retirees” and inserting “alumni” in the list of members represented by the AFSA president. Justification: Given the recent increase in the number of AFSA members who separated from the Service prior to retirement eligibility, it seems appropriate to specify that the AFSA president represents all alumni members. Amendment 7— Alumni Constituency Amend Article VI, Section 6 by striking the entire section and replacing it with: “The Alumni Vice President. The alumni vice president serves as the primary advocate for former members of the Service and, in coordination with the president, takes the lead on advocacy and outreach on alumni issues. The alumni vice president is responsible for recommending to the Executive Committee and the board retired Foreign Service members to serve on and provide the Foreign Service perspective to the Foreign Service Grievance Board and the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board.” Justification: AFSA’s retiree constituency has long included former Foreign Service members who separated prior to retirement eligibility. Previously, their numbers were small but increased significantly over the last year following reductions in force at USAID and the State Department. Changing the bylaws nomenclature from “retiree” to “alumni” makes the wording more inclusive. It does not change AFSA’s services or support for either group. Amendment 8— Appointment of Special Board Member Amend Article V by adding a new Section 2 [renumber remaining sections] stating “Appointment of Special Board Member: Boards taking office in 2027 and 2029 may choose to appoint a special additional board member for a duration not to exceed that board’s term, to represent a specific constituency focusing on a specific set of issues. The appointee must be a regular member and the appointment must be by a supermajority vote of two-thirds of the board. This bylaws section will expire on July 14, 2031.” Justification: Depending on future legal and congressional developments, there may not be an active-duty USAID constituency entitled to representation on the next AFSA board. There will, however, remain unique USAID issues meriting AFSA focus. As such, the board would benefit from having a Special Board Member to bring forward those issues for the next few years without meriting the creation of a permanent board position with that focus. Amendment 9— Governing Board Composition Amend Article V, Section 4(b) by striking: “In addition, each constituency shall be entitled to one representative
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