The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2008

From the State Department Federal Credit Union “The State Department Federal Credit Union’s commitment to the best interests of our member-owners includes keeping you promptly informed about any significant occurrences within your credit union. We regret to report that an internal investigation revealed one of our employees misappropriated credit union funds. This discovery led to the immediate dismissal of the employee and further investigation by law enforcement. The amount misappropriated was approxi- mately $100,000. As a result, the Alexandria Police Department filed charges against this former credit union employee in May. “In addition to the law enforcement steps taken, the SDFCU Board of Directors has arranged for an independent review of our credit union corporate financial policies and procedures. The independent auditor will reaffirm the adequacy of present procedures and recom- mend any changes that could strengthen and enhance financial oversight and internal controls to minimize such risks in the future. Your board of directors will take any necessary action based on the independent auditor’s report. All financial losses will be fully recov- ered, and no member accounts were affected. With more than $975 million in assets, SDFCU has never been stronger and contin- ues to be your safest harbor in today’s troubled markets.” Foreign Service Women’s Forum www.afsa.org/secure/corridors/index.cfm The Foreign Service Women’s forum, hosted on the AFSAWeb site, was created in late 2007 as a place for Foreign Service women to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities faced by female members of the FS. The forum is moderated by FSODella Cavey and is open to all female generalists and specialists. AFSAmembers can log on with an ID (member number) and password (last name). If you’re already an AFSAmember, but haven’t signed up for the AFSA Online Member Services yet, please contact the Member Services Department at member@afsa.org . BOOKFAIR Collections Plan ahead! Save some time for the 48th Annual BOOKFAIR sponsored by the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, which will open Friday, Oct. 17, and continue through Sunday, Oct. 26. As usual, it will be held in the Diplomatic Exhibit Hall on the first floor of Main State. In addi- tion to second-hand books from all over the world, BOOKFAIR will feature the Art Corner, Collectors’ Corner and an assortment of stamps and coins. 60 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / J U L Y - A UGU S T 2 0 0 8 A F S A N E W S AFSA NEWS BRIEFS Life in the Foreign Service n BY BRIAN AGGELER Staff: Executive Director John Mamone: mamone@afsa.org Business Department Controller: Vacant Accounting Assistant Cory Nishi: nishi@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 and Holly Rich: richhe@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 Member Services Director Janet Hedrick: hedrick@afsa.org Member Services Representative Michael Laiacona: laiacona@afsa.org Web-site & Database Associate: vacant 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 Ian Houston: houston@afsa.org Executive Assistant to the President Austin Tracy: tracy@afsa.org Scholarship Director Lori Dec: dec@afsa.org Professional Issues Coordinator Barbara Berger: berger@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 FSJ: journal@afsa.org PRESIDENT: naland@afsa.org STATE VP: kashkettsb@state.gov RETIREE VP: pamichko@aol.com USAID VP: fzamora@usaid.gov FCS VP: donald.businger@mail.doc.gov AFSA News Editor Shawn Dorman : dorman@afsa.org (202) 338-4045 x 503; Fax: (202) 338-8244 On the Web : www.afsa.org/fsj and www.fsjournal.org How to Contact Us: Governing Board: PRESIDENT: John Naland STATE VP: Steve Kashkett USAID VP: Francisco Zamora FAS VP: Vacant FCS VP: Donald Businger RETIREE VP: Robert W. Farrand SECRETARY: F.A. “Tex” Harris TREASURER: Andrew Winter STATE REPS: Anne Aguilera, Oscar DeSoto, David Firestein, Sandy Robinson, Shayna Steinger, Elaine Tiang-Chu, Daphne Titus, Andrea Tomaszewicz, USAID REP: Michael Henning FCS REP: Stephen Anderson FAS REP: Vacant IBB REP: Al Pessin RETIREE REPS: Janice Bay, Herman Cohen, Harry Geisel, David Passage