The Foreign Service Journal, November 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2014 77 AFSA NEWS Make a Difference: Nominate Someone for a Constructive Dissent Award Nominations are now being accepted for the American Foreign Service Association’s 2015 Constructive Dissent Awards. These awards recognize Foreign Service members who work constructively within the system to change policy and performance for the better. AFSA has sponsored the dissent award program for 46 years, and it is unique within the U.S. government. AFSA does not give out each dissent award every year, but only when a worthy recipient is identified. In fact, 2014 was the first year since 2006 that all four dissent awards were given out. AFSA introduced the first two dissent awards— the W. Averell Harriman Award for constructive dissent by entry-level officers (FS-6 through FS-4) and theWilliam R. Rivkin Award for mid- level officers (FS-3 through FS-1)—in December 1967, and awarded them in 1968. In 1969, AFSA established the Christian A. Herter Award honoring constructive dissent by a Senior Foreign Service officer. And in 2000, AFSA created the F. Allen “Tex” Harris Award for dissent by a Foreign Service specialist. Recipients are chosen by an AFSA committee for their “extraordinary accomplish- ment involving initiative, integrity, intellectual courage and constructive dissent.”The dissent does not have to be related to foreign policy but can involve a management issue, consular policy or, in the case of the Harris Award, the willingness of a Foreign Service specialist to take a stand in a way that involves some risk. Nominees are not required to have used the formal Dissent Channel. Recipients are honored at the AFSAAwards Ceremony in June, which is held in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room at the State Department. Winners receive a trophy, as well as a $4,000 prize. Ambassador Edward Peck, a 1974William R. Rivkin Award winner, wrote of the importance of the awards in the September 2010 FSJ . “For our system to function at maximum effectiveness, the individuals working in it, who are in the best position to point out its flaws, must advo- cate steps to correct them,” Amb. Peck noted. He added: “All AFSA members can be part of this important effort in two ways: by speaking up and speaking out to make a difference; and by nominating someone who has.” AFSA urges its members to nominate colleagues—or themselves—for an award. For more details on the dissent awards, visit www.afsa.org/ dissent. If you have ques- tions, contact Perri Green, Special Awards and Outreach Coordinator, green@afsa.org or (202) 719-9700. n The Nomination Process Anyone may propose any member of a foreign affairs agency—or themselves—for an AFSA constructive dissent award. The nomination must be 700 words or fewer, and must include all of the following elements: • The name of the award for which the person is being nominated, along with the nominee’s grade, agency and posi- tion • The nominator’s name, grade, agency and position, along with a description of his or her association with the nominee • A justification for nomination that describes the actions and qualities that qualify the nominee for the award. This should cite specific examples demonstrating that he or she has “exhibited extraordinary accomplishment involving initia- tive, integrity, intellectual courage and constructive dissent.” AFSA/ADRIANRIOS AFSA CONSTRUCT I VE D I SSENT AWARDS Additional Guidelines • Only career or career-conditional members of the foreign affairs agencies (i.e., State, USAID, FCS, FAS, APHIS or BBG) are eligible. • The actions attributed to the nominee must have taken place no more than four years prior to the nomina- tion. •While messages sent via the State Department Dissent Channel and USAID’s Direct Channel may be cited as the basis of a dissent award, it is still necessary to submit a nomination directly to AFSA for consideration. For additional details and instructions or to nominate online, see www.afsa.org/dissent. If you have questions, contact Special Awards and Outreach Coordinator Perri Green at green@afsa.org or (202) 719-9700.