The Foreign Service Journal, May 2010

M A Y 2 0 1 0 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 7 Now That’s Funny The cartoon in the January FSJ , “The Three-Martini Country Team Meeting,” is the funniest thing I’ve seen in the magazine in 50 years. In fact, I think it’s the only funny thing I’ve seen in the FSJ in the same period! Harrison Sherwood Senior Foreign Service, retired Longstanton, U.K. Getting It Wrong Chas Freeman’s article in your March issue, “The Middle East: Forks in the Way Forward,” is abhorrent, outrageous and reprehensible. The Arab andMuslim political objectives of genocide and terror are incompatible with democracy, human rights and the rule of law that Americans cherish. It is unfortunate that the Foreign Service Journal has provided Freeman a platform to peddle his agenda. Patrick Syring FSO, retired Arlington, Va. A Nod to International Fundraising Thanks for the February issue on life and work after the Foreign Serv- ice. Bill Harrop’s study of senior living facilities was useful even to an ancient retiree like me. Richard Jackson’s ac- count of academia abroad also caught my eye. A graduate of my college with very similar Foreign Service jobs to mine, Richard became president of Anatolia College in Greece— the first job I was offered on retirement 25 years ago, only to have it whisked away at the last minute when the incumbent changed his mind about leaving. I now teach and direct international relations at a private American univer- sity in London (and simultaneously di- rected an American graduate school in Paris a few years ago). Jobs in acade- mia, especially abroad, can be long- lasting and rewarding even when part-time. But an earned Ph.D., which I began part-time while still at State (but did not complete until five years later), helps. One field not discussed in the Feb- ruary issue is fundraising — particu- larly in the international arena, in which an FS career provides an edge. I learned that when Brown University picked me out of 250 experienced ap- plicants as its first-ever international fundraiser in 1985 (and perhaps the first full-time one in U.S. academia). I owed that lead to the FS retiree network, which was already repre- sented at Brown. The next such job, at the International Institute for Strate- gic Studies in London, also came through an FS friend. After that, I coasted along for several more years as chief fundraiser of the Princess Royal Fund for Carers (working with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne), secre- tary general of the International Fed- eration of Multiple Sclerosis Societies, and sole fundraiser for Passports for Pets, part of the successful campaign that ended the six-month quarantine for dogs and cats entering the U.K. The work can be very rewarding when you believe in the nonprofit or charity that you represent — and the remuneration is better than in most teaching jobs. Considering all the think-tanks and similar organizations that need to raise money, this is a wide- open field for FS alumni with their so- cial and communication skills. There are any number of other re- tirees who moved into interesting jobs, with or without further training. On- ward to new horizons, my Foreign Service colleagues, in the knowledge that your skills are in demand when properly presented. The FS retiree network is very much alive and kicking. George B. Lambrakis FSO, retired London, U.K. Tips on Job-Hunting The February issue of the Journal was exceptionally thoughtful and help- ful to those foreign affairs employees involved in career change. Bill Har- rop’s careful review of moving to senior living is must reading for older retirees. And Robert Pace’s contribution to the closing compilation (p. 51) is indispen- sible advice for those in transition from the Foreign Service. However, I would add to his vital L ETTERS