The Foreign Service Journal, June 2006

V.P. VOICE: RETIREE n BY DAVID REUTHER The Retiree Role W hile recentlyvisiting theForeignService retiree com- munity in Arizona, I was impressed that some of themhad served inVietnamorwere inBeirut dur- ing the1983embassybombing, and therefore recognize today’s challenge to active-duty officers. The reality is that the retired FS community remains a valuable asset to the State Department and to the country. For example, like many of you, AFSARetiree Representative Larry Lesser applied his skills recently as an elec- tion observer inBelarus, while Retiree RepresentativeGil Sheinbaumplugged a staffing gap at an embassy in Europe a few years ago and twice was an election observer in Sri Lanka. Retirees now staff, on a part-time basis, various offices in the depart- ment; e.g., the department’s FOIA and records-access programs. Some have served as scribes and compilers for many congressionally mandated reports, such as the annual human rights report. After 9/11, the Political-Military Bureau formed a 24/7 action team staffed entirely by retiree WAEs (When Actually Employed) to coor- dinate interagency policy and activity on the Global War on Terrorism. Overseas, WAEs have issued visas, kept administrative sections running and served as inter- im deputy chiefs of mission, among many other functions. WAEs cost the department less than contractors, yet legislationprevents the depart- ment frommaximizing its use of WAEs. AFSA has steadfastly encouraged Congress to correct this anomaly. With heavy demands for personnel to fill positions in Iraq andAfghanistan, the department recently encouraged the Senate to amend the FY2006 Emergency Supplemental to expand the Secretary’s authority to waive limitations on WAE re-employment, to help cover those positions that might otherwise be unfilled as more of our Foreign Service personnel staff Afghanistan and Iraq. AFSA and its legislative allies see this as awin/win for us and the department, since it allows increased use of a ready work force that has themotivation, the talent, the language and the cul- tural sensitivity to provide staffing for the immediate needs of the Service and for our retirees. But the ultimate winner is our country. The WAE issue also underscores Congress’ total control over retirees. It is in our best interests to let our members of Congress knowwe are among their constituents. You can find talking points on the AFSA Web site (alternatively, we can mail them to you). Bottom line: our senators and representatives should be reminded that the retiree generation is proud to have served, that their loyalty, dedication and patrio- tismshould be reciprocated, and that they are ready to help strengthen efforts at home and abroad. There are retirees in almost every congressional district, and greater trac- tion would come frommore retirees interacting with the Congress. Some say, “Well, I will join AFSA after you prove you can move Congress.” But, the Catch-22 is that AFSA and its allies on the Hill (staffers as well as members of Congress) need everyone’s declared support tomake things happen. We can do bet- ter at protecting our interests by being part of a group rather than remaining silent. The AFSA Governing Board is dedicated to working hard for retiree communities, like Arizona’s, and we will continue to work the halls of Congress and educate the American public. AFSA is your voice, your advocate. Join us if you are not already a member — and if you already are, please join our collective efforts to protect our retirees’ inter- ests and assist our active-duty FS personnel. o JUNE 2006 • AFSA NEWS 5 PEARSON MOVES ON AFSA Meets with Outgoing DG O utgoing Director General W. Robert Pearson met with the AFSA Governing Board on April 5 to share his thoughts on the relationship betweenAFSAandmanagement andother issues of interest. He emphasizedhis belief that management needs to have a good partnership with AFSA. In a discussion of the headway made recentlyon localitypay, Amb. Pearson said thepay issuehadmoved further along than ever before. It is being linked to initiating pay for performance, he said, noting that much of the federal work force in Washington,D.C., is alreadyona pay-for- performance system. TheDGpointedout that 80 percent of Foreign Service spous- es expect to work, while there is current- ly enough work in mission jobs for only 35 percent. He encouragedAFSA to con- tinue to support efforts toexpandemploy- ment opportunities for family members. AFSA President J. Anthony Holmes raised the question of how AFSA could set up a stronger partnership relationship withmanagement, to include big-picture discussions. AFSA intends to put togeth- er a “wish list” for the new director gen- eral, laying out issues and proposals of particular importance to Foreign Service members. o AFSA intends to put together a “wish list” for the new director general, laying out issues and proposals of particular importance to Foreign Service members.