The Foreign Service Journal, June 2006

2 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2006 AFSA NEWS BRIEFS Life in the Foreign Service n BY BRIAN AGGELER All State Department Foreign Service employees planning either to transfer to an onward assignment or take mid- tour home leave between July 6 and 16 must submit their TM-2 (Proposed Itinerary) to the Bureau of Human Resources (HR/CDA/AD) by June 15 to ensure the timely processing of their travel authorizations, also known as “TA,” or travel orders. Prospective travelers who wait too long to finalize their travel plans and Staff: Executive Director Susan Reardon: reardon@afsa.org Business Department Controller Steven Tipton: tipton@afsa.org Accounting Assistant Jon Reed: reed@afsa.org Labor Management General Counsel Sharon Papp: papps@state.gov Labor Management Attorney Zlatana Badrich: badrichz@state.gov Labor Management Specialist James Yorke: yorkej@state.gov Grievance Attorneys Neera Parikh: parikhna@state.gov an d Charles Garten: gartenc@state.gov Office Manager Christine Warren: warrenc@state.gov USAID Senior Labor Management Adviser Douglas Broome: dbroome@usaid.gov USAID Office Manager Asgeir Sigfusson: asigfusson@usaid.gov Member Services Director Janet Hedrick: hedrick@afsa.org Representative Cory Nishi: nishi@afsa.org Web-site & Database Associate Sheng Zhao: zhao@afsa.org Administrative Assistant Ana Lopez: lopez@afsa.org Outreach Programs Retiree Liaison Bonnie Brown: brown@afsa.org Director of Communications Thomas Switzer: switzer@afsa.org Congressional Affairs Director Ken Nakamura: nakamura@afsa.org Corporate Relations/Executive Assistant Austin Tracy: tracy@afsa.org Scholarship Director Lori Dec: dec@afsa.org Professional Issues Coordinator Barbara Berger: berger@afsa.org Retiree Recruitment Coordinator Norma Reyes: reyes@afsa.org Elderhostel Coordinator Janice Bay: bay@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 AFSA WEB SITE: www.afsa.org AFSA E-MAIL: afsa@afsa.org AFSA NEWS: afsanews@afsa.org FSJ: journal@afsa.org PRESIDENT: holmes@afsa.org STATE VP: kashkettsb@state.gov RETIREE VP: 42reuwash@earthlink.net USAID VP: wcarter@usaid.gov FCS VP: donald.businger@mail.doc.gov FAS VP: laura.scandurra@fas.usda.gov AFSA News Editor Shawn Dorman : dorman@afsa.org (202) 338-4045 x 503; Fax: (202) 338-8244 On the Web : www.afsa.org/news How to Contact Us: Governing Board: PRESIDENT: J. Anthony Holmes STATE VICE PRESIDENT: Steven Kashkett USAID VICE PRESIDENT: Bill Carter FCS VICE PRESIDENT: Donald Businger FAS VICE PRESIDENT: Laura Scandurra RETIREE VICE PRESIDENT: David Reuther SECRETARY: Tex Harris TREASURER: Andrew Winter STATE REPRESENTATIVES: Bradford Bell, Brian Cook, Hugh Neighbour, Alan Misenheimer, Joyce Namde, Makila James, James Roseli and Andrew Young USAID REPRESENTATIVE: Francisco Zamora FCS REPRESENTATIVE: William Center FAS REPRESENTATIVE: Mike Conlon IBB REPRESENTATIVE: Sheldon Daitch RETIREE REPRESENTATIVES: Leonard J. Baldyga, Roger Dankert, Larry Lesser and Gilbert Sheinbaum submit their TM-2s will risk not having their orders issued prior to their desired travel dates. From July 6-16, most of HR’s computer sys- tems, especially the Global Employment Management System and associated func- tions (family management, PCS travel, FSBid, etc.), will be down for maintenance and upgrading. Without these systems, HR/CDA will be unable to process travel orders, and there is no manual back-up process for issu- ing TAs. Hopefully, the system’s maintenance and GEMS upgrade will be successful and HR/CDA will be able to return to the normal issuance of travel orders by July 17. The department reminds employees that before travel orders may be issued, travelers must be certain that they are in possession of: 1) an assignment notification and 2) all necessary clearances (medical, security, etc.). And Let AFSA Know Don’t wait for your Foreign Service Journal to find you months from now. As you get ready for a summer move, let AFSA know where you’re going so we can keep in touch. Send your new address to member@afsa.org or change your address online at www.afsa.org/comment.cfm. Briefs • Continued on page 7 Transferring This Summer? Get Your TM-2 Early