The Foreign Service Journal, May 2012

MA Y 2 0 1 2 / F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L 41 A F S A N E W S In Memory On May 4, Foreign Affairs Day, Sharon S. Clark’s name will be added to AFSA’s Memorial Plaques. If you would like to celebrate Sharon’s life, her fami- ly suggests making donations to Africare through its secure, online Web site at africare.safesecureweb.com/support-us/donate.php. AAFSW Picnic Mark your calendar for the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide annual picnic on Sunday, July 1, at the picnic shelter at Nottoway Park, Vienna, Va. The potluck event is for couples and singles, with and without kids. For more information, please see www.aafsw.org. FSYF Kayaking Adventure Attention teens: On Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Foreign Service Youth Foundation invites you to join other recently returned to D.C.- area FS teens for a day of kayaking on the Potomac. This is a great opportunity to get to know kids your age. We will meet at Thompson Boat Center (on the river near the Kennedy Center) where two groups —middle school and high school —will kayak to Roosevelt Island and back. An experienced instructor will lead the excursion. Please bring your own lunch and drinks. For more details and to register, please e-mail fsyf@fsyf.org. AFSA Welcomes a New Staff Member As part of ongoing efforts to increase services to our members, we are pleased to announce a new addition to the AFSA staff. Matthew Sumrak has assumed a new position, Associate Coordinator for Retiree Benefits and Legislation. With Matt on board, AFSA has doubled the capacity of our retiree section. Matt is originally from Naperville, Ill. He attended John Carroll University and is currently studying for a master’s degree in public policy at George Mason University. He previously worked for the Mental Health Advocacy Project in San Jose, Calif. Matt can be reached at sumrak@afsa.org or (202) 944-5522. The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide AAFSW is a nonprofit organization that has been repre- senting Foreign Service spouses, employees and retirees since 1960. The association is an independent advocate for its members, giving them a stronger voice when work- ing on common concerns and a chance to enjoy shared interests. AAFSW coordinates the annual Secretary of State’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad, in addition to awarding a variety of scholarships and grants aimed at recognizing the achievements of Foreign Service employ- ees and family members. Each month, AAFSW offers members an event roster covering a wide range of topics. In March, it sponsored a panel discussion in the State Department’s Dean Acheson Auditorium celebrating Women’s History Month. In April, the association organized a visit to the U.S. Botanic Garden and a discussion on human trafficking in Vietnam. AAFSW’s Web site, www.aafsw.org, inc ludes a popular classified section offering items for sale, D.C.-area housing, and products and services available from Foreign Service family members. If you are an active or retired employee of a U.S. foreign affairs agency, or an adult family member of an employee, you are eligible for AAFSW membership. To join, go to www.aafsw.org/join-aafsw/apply-online. AFSA NEWS BRIEFS Staff: Executive Director Ian Houston: houston@afsa.org BusinessDepartment Director of Finance Femi Oshobukola: oshobukola@afsa.org Controller KalpnaSrimal: srimal@afsa.org AssistantController Cory Nishi: cnishi@afsa.org LaborManagement General Counsel Sharon Papp: papps@state.gov Deputy General Counsel Zlatana Badrich: badrichz@state.gov Labor Management Specialist James Yorke: yorkej@state.gov Labor Management Counselor Janet Weber: weber@afsa.org Senior Staff Attorney NeeraParikh: parikhna@state.gov StaffAttorneyRaekaSafai: safair@state.gov StaffAttorneyAndrewLarge: largea@state.gov Office Manager Christine Warren: warrenc@state.gov USAIDSeniorLaborManagementAdviserDouglasBroome: dbroome@usaid.gov USAID Staff Assistant Stefan Geyer: geyer@afsa.org MemberServices Member Services Director Janet Hedrick: hedrick@afsa.org Member Services Representative Kristy Pomes: pomes@afsa.org Administrative Assistant and Office Manager Ana Lopez: lopez@afsa.org Communications,MarketingandOutreach Retiree Counseling & Legislation Coordinator Bonnie Brown: brown@afsa.org Associate Coordinator for Retiree Benefits and Legislation Matt Sumrak: sumrak@afsa.org Director of Communications Thomas Switzer: switzer@afsa.org Director of Policy: vacant LegislativeAssistantClintLohse: lohse@afsa.org Executive Assistant to the President Patrick Bradley: bradley@afsa.org Scholarship Director Lori Dec: dec@afsa.org Scholarship Program Assistant Jonathan Crawford: crawford@afsa.org Marketing&OutreachManagerAsgeirSigfusson: sigfusson@afsa.org SpecialAwards&OutreachCoordinatorPerriGreen: green@afsa.org Weband ITAssistantJeffLau: lau@afsa.org AFSA HEADQUARTERS: (202) 338-4045; Fax: (202) 338-6820 STATE DEPARTMENT AFSA OFFICE: (202) 647-8160; Fax: (202) 647-0265 USAID AFSA OFFICE: (202) 712-1941; Fax: (202) 216-3710 FCS AFSA OFFICE: (202) 482-9088; Fax: (202) 482-9087 PRESIDENT: johnson@afsa.org STATE VP: hirschdm@state.gov RETIREE VP: megilroy@gmail.com USAID VP: fzamora@usaid.gov FAS VP: david.mergen@fas.usda.gov FCS VP: keith.curtis@mail.doc.gov AFSA News Editor Donna Ayerst: ayerst@afsa.org (202) 944-5516; Fax: (202) 338-6820 Foreign Service Journal FSJ: journal@afsa.org Editor Steven Alan Honley: honley@afsa.org Senior Editor Susan Maitra: maitra@afsa.org Associate Editor Shawn Dorman: dorman@afsa.org Ad & Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger: miltenberger@afsa.org Art Director Caryn Suko Smith: journaldesign@comcast.net On the Web AFSA WEB SITE: www.afsa.org FSJ: www.afsa.org/fsj How to Contact Us: Governing Board: PRESIDENT: Susan R. Johnson STATE VP: Daniel Hirsch USAID VP: Francisco Zamora FCS VP: Keith Curtis FAS VP: David Mergen RETIREE VP: Mary Ellen Gilroy SECRETARY: Vacant TREASURER: Andrew Winter STATE REPS: Matthew Asada William Bent Grace Choi Kenneth Kero-Mentz Kimberly Krhounek Elise Mellinger Joyce Namde David Zwach USAID REPS: Michael Henning Iris Young FCS REP: Steve Morrison FAS REP: Andrew Burst IBB REP: Andre De Nesnera RETIREE REPS: Robert Houdek Edward Marks Hugh Neighbour Molly Williamson