The Foreign Service Journal - October 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2017 49 AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speaks to a capacity crowd at the AFSA headquarters building, where more than 100 members gathered to discuss the proposed redesign of the Department of State and USAID. AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION AFSAHosts “Redesign” Event October 1-6 AFSA Road Scholar Program Chautauqua, N.Y. October 2 12-1 p.m. AFSA/Public Diplomacy Council: “How Finland Is Using Public Diplomacy to Celebrate Its Centennial” October 5 Luncheon: 146th Specialist Class October 9 Columbus Day: AFSA Offices Closed October 11 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Book Notes: Global Adventures on Well-Traveled Roads – A Foreign Service Memoir by Ambassador James Bullington October 15-19 AFSA Road Scholar Program Washington, D.C. October 18 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting October 25 Luncheon: 192nd A-100 Class October 27 12-1 p.m. FSI Job Search Program Graduation Reception November 10 Veterans Day: AFSA Offices Closed November 15 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting CALENDAR State Rep Martin McDowell reviews recommendations at the “Management Support” station. On Aug. 23 AFSA hosted a discussion about the pro- posed redesign of the Depart- ment of State and USAID. The event was an oppor- tunity for all AFSAmembers to contribute ideas and recommendations on the five workstreams of the redesign: Foreign Assistance Pro- grams, Overseas Alignment & Approach, Human Capital Planning, Management Sup- port and IT Platform Plan- ning. A workstation was also available for members to discuss the impact of the ongoing hiring freeze at the department. AFSA President Ambas- sador Barbara Stephenson kicked off the event, and more than 100 attendees contributed their thoughts and recommendations on the redesign effort. Member feedback from AFSA/GEMMADVORAK the event has been incorpo- rated into AFSA’s own recom- mendations to the Redesign Team, which also drew on feedback gathered through AFSA’s ongoing “Structured Conversations” with mem- bers. We know members love their jobs—and want to see cumbersome, time-consum- ing bureaucratic processes streamlined so they can focus on the work they love. n AFSA/GEMMADVORAK