The Foreign Service Journal, December 2020

6 DECEMBER 2020 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 104 Reflections An Unexpected Foray into Albania By Do l o re s B r own a n d Ma r i a S i l ve r 106 Local Lens Colombo, Sri Lanka By Ca r i l l e Gu t h r i e 69 AFSAWorks for Diversity and Inclusion: An Update 70 State VP Voice—2020: How AreWe Doing? 71 USAID VP Voice—A Brief Reflection on Measuring Impact 71 AFSA Supports EEO Complaint for Equal Pay 72 Retiree VP Voice—Support Our Foreign Service Community 72 Early and Mid-Career Retirement Planning Seminar 73 USAID 2020 Promotion Boards: Concerns on Diversity, Inclusion and Transparency 74 Retirees Join AFSA for Outreach Efforts 75 AFSA Governing Board Meeting, Oct. 21, 2020 75 AFSA Dues Increase for 2021 On the Cover— AFSAAwardWinners in Action. See photo captions in profiles starting on p. 22. Marketplace 99 Real Estate 101 Classifieds 103 Index to Advertisers FOREIGN SERVICE 7 President’s Views Foreign Service Proud: Very, Very Proud By E r i c Ru b i n 9 Letter from the Editor Recognizing Excellence By Sh awn Do rma n 19 Speaking Out Food & Fun, or Debt & Despair? The Commissary Crisis and the Future of Employee Associations By L l ywe l y n G r a eme Perspectives Departments 10 Letters 13 Letters-Plus 14 Talking Points 98 Books AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION