The Foreign Service Journal, December 2013

44 DECEMBER 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS To determine if a program is working well, a few questions need to be asked. At AFSA’s advocacy department, we ask ourselves: Are we doing what is needed to raise the issues that matter to our members? Is Congress listening to AFSA? Are we getting the results we seek? Ou r B i gges t As s e t While AFSA can reach out around the clock to members of Congress, our biggest asset in getting their atten- tion is you, our members. The most effective strategies for influencing those on the Hill must include direct messag- ing from their constituents, and for AFSA, that means messages from the Foreign Service community. We need your participation. We work hard to establish and maintain relationships with members of Congress and their staff from both sides of the aisle. We seek to find common ground with those who share our inter- ests and have supported the Foreign Service in the past. Our objective is to expand these relationships while establishing new ones that will, in turn, support us. According to a 2012 sur- vey conducted by The George Washington University of the American League of Lobby- ists and congressional staff, the most important determi- nants for gaining access to members of Congress are: an existing relationship with the member or staffer; the reputation of the individual seeking the meeting; and having previously worked for the legislator. Fortunately for our mem- bers, AFSA’s advocacy team can claim all of the above advantages, and we use them whenever we can. Our goal is to inform senators and representatives of the press- ing concerns you have and to build a coalition of legislators who will work on your behalf. Keys t o Su c c es s Through AFSA’s Govern- ing Board meetings, liaison with our vice presidents, discussions with AFSA staff, meetings with Hill staffers and keeping abreast of cur- rent events, the advocacy team is on point when it comes to the big issues. But again, our efforts need your input so that we can focus on AFSA ON THE HILL In the Middle of the Aisle BY DAVID N. MURIMI, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” Thomas Jefferson the issues and problems you face. Your outreach to mem- bers of Congress—be it through social media, a letter or a phone call—educates and can influence them on a matter that could ultimately bear positive results regard- ing your job, family and even your life. Hearing from you can connect a policy issue to your legislators’ need to serve their constituents. They are there to serve you; give them the opportunity. Sha r e You r V i ews Don’t underestimate the impact we can make together. By letting us know what your concerns are, we can accomplish much. We invite you to share your views or concerns by e-mailing Advocacy Director Javier Cuebas at cuebas@afsa.org, Legislative Assistant David Murimi at murimi@afsa.org or Assistant Coordinator for Retiree Counseling and Legislation Matt Sumrak at sumrak@afsa.org. We are here for you. n AFSA State Vice President Matthew Asada and Governing Board State Representative Nancy Rios-Brooks speak with Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, at an event celebrating National Hispanic American Heritage Month at the Department of State on Oct. 9. The event was sponsored by the Hispanic Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies, an affinity group with which AFSA frequently collaborates. ATTIATULNASAR