The Foreign Service Journal, September 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2019 67 AFSA NEWS AFSAGoverning Board Meeting, June 19, 2019 Awards and Plaques Committee: It was moved that the Governing Board approve the committee’s recommenda- tions for recipients of the 2019 AFSAAwards. The motion was adopted. Death of Lola Gulomova: It was moved that the AFSA Governing Board endorse the following statement: “The tragic loss of Lola Gulomova, who was in the middle of an outstanding career as a Commerce FSO, has left the AFSA community bereft. Lola exemplified what is best about the Foreign Service. She served with distinction in challenging posts in China and India and was preparing for her next assignment as head of Commerce in Belgrade. Lola joined the AFSA Governing Board as an alternate FCS represen- AFSAGoverning Board Meeting, July 17, 2019 Management Committee: John Naland moved to add Eric Rubin, Virginia Bennett, Ken Kero-Mentz and Russ Capps as signers on all bank accounts. The motion was adopted. Centennial Committee: John Naland moved to create a special committee to begin planning for the centennial of the U.S. Foreign Service and AFSA, per the memorandum Mr. Naland sent to the Governing Board, dated July 17, and to include as voting members Ken Kero-Mentz, Mary Daly and Mr. Naland (to serve as chair), and to be open to participation by all interested Governing Board members. The motion was adopted. Acting State VP: John Naland moved that the Govern- ing Board grant Ken Kero-Mentz the authority to perform the duties of the AFSA State vice president, as outlined in the bylaws and the VP position description, until State VP Tom Yazdgerdi takes office. The motion was adopted. USAID Standing Committee: USAID Vice President Jason Singer moved to add Jeff Levine and William Han- sen to the USAID standing committee. The motion was adopted. FSJ Editorial Board Affirmation: AFSA President Eric Rubin, without objection, confirmed Alexis Ludwig tative after she distinguished herself by challenging—qui- etly but with determination, and in the spirit of accountabil- ity—an unaddressed sexual harassment issue that affected multiple female FSOs at Commerce. And she led an initia- tive to convince Commerce to restart its FSO intake process after it had been neglected for over four years. Lola was the FSO everyone wanted on their team. She was a friend to many of us. And she leaves a void in our hearts.”The motion was adopted. FSGB and FSLRB Appointments: It was moved that the Governing Board authorize the Retiree VP to support the appointment of Larry Mandel as Foreign Service Grievance Board Chair. The motion was adopted. It was moved that the Governing Board authorize the Retiree VP to support the appointment of Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Miller and professional arbitrator Kurt Saunders to the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board. The motion was adopted. n as chair of the Journal Editorial Board and confirmed Amb. (ret.) Robert M. Beecroft, Daniel Crocker, Joel Ehrendreich, Harry W. Kopp, Jessica McTigue, Christopher Teal, Joseph Tordella, Vivian Walker, Amb. (ret.) Laurence Wohlers, Dinah Zeltser-Winant and Hon. Eric Rubin (ex officio) as the remaining members. Awards and Plaques Committee: President Rubin called for volunteers to serve on the Awards and Plaques Com- mittee. Lillian Wahl-Tuco offered to serve as chair; and John Naland and Mary Daly offered to serve as members. Without objection, these members were assigned to serve as such. Scholarship Committee: Pres. Rubin called for volunteers to serve on the Scholarship Committee. John Naland vol- unteered and, without objection, was appointed as chair. Mr. Naland noted the need for an additional two members and discussed the time requirements for serving on the committee. Virginia Bennett, Joshua Archibald and Jason Singer volunteered and, without objection, were appointed to the committee. Constituency Standing Committees: Pres. Rubin, with- out objection, appointed the constituency vice presidents to serve as chairs of their respective standing committees and instructed them to bring their recommended commit- tee sizes and assignments to the next GB meeting. n