The Foreign Service Journal, November 2009

I have been pleased by the feedback that I’ve received from readers on a wide range of concerns. Folks want to know how their grandchildren can apply for internships at State or AFSA, about the confidentiality of medical clearance in- formation required for overseasWhenActually Employed as- signments, and how to submit an article to the Foreign Service Journal. During my 47 years as an AFSA member, I almost never had occasion to call on the professional staff for help, but now do so on almost a daily basis in order to respond to your queries. AFSA staff members are re- markably expert and well connected and are probably the most valuable benefit of your AFSA membership. Don’t hesi- tate to contact them! The hot issue of the day is the dra- matic rate increase inOffice of Personnel Management-sponsored long-term-care insurance. This has enraged a number of AFSA members who had signed up for coverage in response to an OPM so- licitation that offered attractive rates and a strong assurance that they would remain stable. We will keep our members informed about OPM announcements regarding open sea- son requirements for affected enrollees and — in collabora- tion with other federal employee organizations — seek congressional hearings on the premium hikes. A good deal of retiree mail ex- presses frustration with the WAE program, bemoaning the lack of timely information about opportuni- ties and sketchy responses to inquiries. The regional bureaus control the pro- gram, and their performance is uneven. My predecessor, Bill Farrand, wrote a letter to Deputy Secretary Jacob Lew with a number of recommendations for fixes to the program. AFSA President Susan R. Johnson and StateVPDaniel Hirsch will be following upwithUnder Secretary for Management Pat Kennedy and Director General Nancy Powell’s office. Our re- tirees are a unique and valuable resource, and the department needs their help more than ever, especially during this pe- riod of rebuilding. The initial response to the survey AFSA sent out to retirees a few weeks ago has been excellent. If you have not yet replied, please do so now, as I would like to report on the results in my next column. You should have received the survey in themail, accompanied by a stamped re- turn envelope; we would prefer, however, that you respond electronically, as it will greatly facilitate the tabulation and analysis of the data. Please go to www.zoomerang.com/ Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB229H983SUFX. ❏ 52 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 A F S A N E W S V.P. VOICE: RETIREE ■ BY ROBERT HOUDEK Hearing From You Attorney Holly Rich Departing AFSA After two-and-a-half years as an attorney in AFSA’s labor management office, Holly Rich has accepted a position in the Civil Rights Division of the Office of the General Counsel at the Department of Health and Human Services. Her last day at AFSA was Aug. 28. Rich, says Executive Director Ian Houston, “was a terrific employee: kind, thoughtful and generous.” He adds, “She learned a complicated job very quickly and showed an ability to go beyond what is asked of her.” Colleague James Yorke calls her “easily one of the best new lawyers we’ve ever worked with.” Rich says her “wonderful” experience at AFSA has taught her the importance of “always working for the ‘little guy.’” We wish her well. A good deal of mail expresses frustration with the WAE program, bemoaning the lack of timely information about opportunities and sketchy responses to inquiries. AFSA NEWS BRIEFS TRANSITION CENTER SCHEDULE OF COURSES for November-December 2009 Nov. 2-3 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar Nov. 6 MQ950 High-Stress Assignment Outbrief Nov. 7 MQ115 Explaining America Nov. 13 MQ703 Post Options for Employment and Training Nov. 16-17 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar Nov. 30-Dec.1 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar Dec. 4 MQ950 High-Stress Assignment Outbrief Dec. 5 MQ803 Realities of Foreign Service Life Dec. 7-10 RV101 Retirement Planning Seminar Dec. 10-11 MQ107 English Teaching Seminar Dec. 12 MQ116 Protocol and U.S. Representation Abroad Dec. 14-15 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar Dec. 15-16 MQ104 Regulations, Allowances and Finances To register or for further information, e-mail the FSI Transition Center at FSITCTraining@state.gov .