The Foreign Service Journal, November 2018

74 NOVEMBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSA Receives “Clean” 2017 Audit Earlier this year AFSA’s audit firm, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, performed the field work necessary to audit AFSA and its related organizations (AFSA-PAC, Fund for Ameri- can Diplomacy, Scholarship Fund) and issued an “unquali- fied opinion,” which means all systems and processes in place are in line with gener- ally accepted accounting principles. The opinion reads: “The consolidated financial state- ments … present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial posi- tion of the Association as of December 31, 2017, and 2016, and the consolidated changes in their net assets and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles gener- ally accepted in the United States of America.” I would like to thank Femi Oshobukola, director of finance; Kalpna Srimal, con- troller; and Cory Nishi, con- troller—accounts payable and administration, for their hard work both during the audit and throughout the year. As our finance team, they are diligent in finding ways to improve processes and save money. A thank you to AFSA Treasurer Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony “Tony”Wayne is called for, as well. In their management let- ter, the auditors included the following comment: “We recommend that the Association consider the development of a formal risk assessment program as a best practice in operations. We would be pleased to discuss the aspects of imple- mentation of an Enterprise Risk Management system as you desire.” At the September AFSA Governing Board meeting, I walked the board through the model we developed, con- cluding with a “risk matrix,” which we created to track possible risks to the organi- zation. Looking for ways to mitigate risk is a part of my job—I meet with the AFSA president and treasurer every other month to discuss any significant risks, and I brief the entire board twice a year. If you have any questions about the audit process, feel free to get in touch with me at capps@afsa.org. n —Russ Capps, Chief Operating Officer Stick with AFSA in Retirement On Aug. 30, AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson (far left) celebrates with the graduates of the Foreign Service Institute’s Job Search Program. Speaking at the graduation reception, Amb. Stephenson reminded participants of the value of their AFSA membership and encouraged them to rejoin AFSA as retirees—membership does not automatically carry over into retirement. She reminded them that retiree voices are critical to making the case across the 50 states that what America’s diplomats do really matters. AFSA/CHRISTINEMIELE AFSA Welcomes 17th Consular Fellows Class On Aug. 28, AFSA welcomed 41 members of the 17th Consular Fellows class for a luncheon at the association’s headquarters building. AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson hosted the luncheon. AFSA Governing Board members and other AFSA staff members were on hand to speak with the new Foreign Service members and answer their questions about AFSA and the many ways the association can assist, protect and advocate for them. Above, AFSA board member Ambassador (ret.) Tom Boyatt speaks to new fellows about the functions of AFSA in its dual role as a professional association and labor union. More than half of the participants chose to join AFSA at the event. AFSA/DMITRYFILIPOFF