The Foreign Service Journal, September 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2017 85 AFSA NEWS Retirees: A Force Outside the “Beltway Bubble” AWARD FOR ACH I EVEMENT AND CONTR I BUT I ONS TO THE ASSOC I AT I ON JOHN S. WOOD AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS “If all Foreign Service retir- ees were like John, we could create a strong domestic constituency in no time at all,” said AFSA Presi- dent Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, introducing John S. Wood, recipient of the 2017 AFSA Award for Achievements and Contribu- tions to the Association, at the June 20 ceremony. This award recognizes an active-duty or retired AFSA member of any of the foreign affairs agen- cies represented by AFSA who has made a significant (non-monetary) contribu- tion to the association in its role either as a professional association of practitioners of diplomacy, or its role as a labor union representing Foreign Service members. As president of The For- eign Service Group–Texas, in Austin, Mr. Wood has been a tireless advocate for the Foreign Service. Through his efforts, the group punches well above its weight when it comes to events, outreach and influence. In 2016, The Foreign Service Group was by far the most active in AFSA’s campaign to place letters to the editor highlighting Foreign Service Day in Texas newspapers. The group holds regular luncheons that bring together Foreign Service retirees and attract high-caliber speakers, from former ambassadors to academics. It is worth noting that, although this award does not take financial contri- butions into account, The Foreign Service Group– Texas makes an annual contribution to the Fund for American Diplomacy, AFSA’s 501(c)(3) organization dedi- cated to raising awareness of the Foreign Service and diplomacy. Mr. Wood is a proactive AFSA member, brimming with ideas about how to tell the story of the Foreign Ser- vice to the American public. His insights are extremely valuable to AFSA’s outreach team, because he has the benefit of being outside the “Beltway bubble” and is in touch with the interests and world views of those not liv- ing in Washington, D.C. This perspective is invaluable to AFSA as the association aims to reach out to different communities across the United States and let them know how the Foreign Service works for them. He is exactly the type of retiree member that AFSA needs: dedicated, engaged, persistent and with a deep love of his profession. Accepting the award, Mr. Wood noted: “Geographi- cally dispersed groups like diplomats, their families and friends can be a huge force for good, given a few resources and encouraged to be creative.” He also encouraged those present to visit The Foreign Service Group–Texas’ website, www. tfsg.org for information about their activities. Mr. Wood was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and holds a B.S. and MBA, both from Columbia University. A 17-year veteran of the Foreign Commercial Service, Mr. Wood served in Cal- gary, Mexico City, Mumbai, Bangkok, Seoul, and posts in Washington, D.C., before retiring in 2001. n Achievement and Contributions to the Association Award recipient John Wood (left) with AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, who nominated him for the award. AFSA/TOYASARNOJORDAN