The Foreign Service Journal, May 2018

70 MAY 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSAWelcomes New USAIDVP On Feb. 21, the AFSA Govern- ing Board approved USAID Foreign Service Officer Jeffrey Levine to serve as vice president for the USAID constituency until July 2019, replacing outgoing VP Ann Posner, who retired in March. Jeff is an accomplished development professional with more than 25 years of experience in designing, implementing and evaluat- ing programs; partnership development; and administra- tion. He brings a collaborative approach and deep Foreign Service experi- ence to AFSA after tours in Africa, South America, Asia and the Middle East, as well as in Washing- ton, D.C. As a single parent, Jeff has learned to apply work-life balance to his career. He is co-chair of the USAID Employ- ees Resource Group (RPCVs@ USAID) and, continuing his previous ways as a backstop coordinator, fre- quently mentors new officers. He looks forward to utilizing his background of diverse assignments, responsibilities and opportunities to repre- sent and advocate on behalf of all USAID FSOs and their families. The USAID AFSA office is in the Ronald Reagan Build- ing, Room 2.10-C. Jeff can be reached at jlevine@usaid.gov or (202) 712-5267. n AFSAGoverning Board Meeting, March 28, 2018 Awards and Plaques Committee: It was moved that the Governing Board approve the committee’s recommenda- tions for winners of the Matilda W. Sinclaire Award for their achievements in the study and utilization of difficult languages in 2017. (For a complete list of names, see p. 65.) The motion was adopted. Management Committee: It was moved that the Govern- ing Board authorize the retiree vice president to support the re-appointment of six current FSGB members who are willing to continue to serve. The motion was adopted. It was moved that the Governing Board authorize the retiree vice president to support the appointment of what- ever new non-FS arbitrator that Management nominates if his/her resume reflects qualifications on par with existing non-FS arbitrator members of the FSGB and after the AFSA retiree vice president has briefed him/her on the main difference between the FS and Civil Service personnel and employee-management systems. The motion was adopted. It was moved that the Governing Board authorize the retiree vice president to support the appointment of the following retired FS members: Keith Curtis (FCS retiree), David Eckerson (USAID retiree) and Madelyn Spirnak (State retiree). The motion was adopted. It was moved and amended that the Governing Board approve the following disposition of unexpended bud- get items from 2017: Use $134,000 for FY18 operating costs; move $215,000 into the AFSA operating reserves; and move $115,000 into the FAD operating reserve. The motion was adopted. Membership Committee: It was moved that the Gov- erning Board approve the criterion that applicants for the Associate Membership category must show demon- strated, active links to the Foreign Service community. The motion was adopted. New Business: It was moved that the Governing Board approve of the following individuals as nominees for the Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel: Christopher Krafchack, Jay Raman, Ryan Stoner, Rachael Mueller and Brent T. Christensen. The motion was adopted. It was moved that the Governing Board put forward for discussion the decision to terminate two AFSA staff mem- bers and the manner in which it was done. The motion was adopted and the Governing Board went into executive session. n