68 DECEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA’s Good Works Member Engagement As a membership organization, AFSA devotes significant resources to keeping its members informed and connected. Below is a list of some of AFSA’s most popular resources and opportunities to be engaged for members. Every weekday morning, the AFSA Media Digest shares links to news stories, opinion pieces, and blog posts about issues affecting Foreign Service members. The digest gathers items from far and wide, offering a range of information beyond what one would find by subscribing to a handful of leading newspapers and magazines. Several times a month, AFSA sends AFSANet email messages updating members on the association’s programs and activities. Among those messages are updates on congressional advocacy, agency-specific initiatives, and state-level advocacy. An archive of past messages is on the AFSA website at https://afsa.org/recent-afsa-messages. AFSA’s flagship publication, The Foreign Service Journal, is mailed to members 10 times a year and also available online. The FSJ AFSA News section provides updates on programs and events as well as informative columns by AFSA vice presidents representing each agency and retirees. Members who are active on social media can get AFSA content on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter). News and guidance on federal benefits from AFSA is available in multiple formats. The bimonthly retirement e-newsletter provides both active employees and retirees with information about their benefits. AFSA’s Retirement Resources webpage at https://afsa.org/retirement-resources contains more than 100 documents and links, including checklists for retirement planning, frequently asked questions, and videos of presentations about retirement topics led by subject matter experts. Finally, current retirees are mailed an annual retiree directory, which, along with contact information on fellow retirees, includes 25 pages of benefits guidance. Active-duty employees can obtain authoritative guidance on workplace issues from AFSA’s Office of the General Counsel on that office’s labor management guidance webpage at https://afsa.org/labor-management-guidanceoffice-general-counsel-ogc. Included in the 45 documents linked there is information on policies and procedures for grievances, equal employment opportunity (EEO) investigations, and Diplomatic Security interviews. Throughout the year, AFSA offers a variety of online presentations and in-person events to inform and connect its members. Online programs include town halls, professional development webinars, presentations on retirement benefits, discussions of post-retirement activities, and book talks by authors on Foreign Service topics. In-person events at AFSA headquarters include happy hours and the annual Foreign Service Day open house. To celebrate the 2024 centennial of the founding of the U.S. Foreign Service and AFSA, your association created an online merchandise store featuring Foreign Service–related merchandise including caps, sweaters, and coffee mugs. Click on “Shop our Merch” at https://afsa.org/celebrating-100-years-americandiplomacy, and wrap up your holiday shopping. AFSA offers a variety of ways for members to get actively involved in advancing the association’s mission. The AFSA Governing Board comprises members who stepped up to seek election. Look for the call for nominations for the 2025-2027 board in next month’s AFSA News. Nearly 100 members currently serve as AFSA post representatives, assisting fellow employees with managementrelated problems and serving as a liaison with AFSA to pass on the views of members at post. Each year, more than 30 members answer the call to serve as judges in AFSA’s academic merit scholarship program. More than a dozen members currently serve on AFSA committees including the Foreign Service Journal Editorial Board and the Elections Committee. Members are also an important part of AFSA outreach activities that focus on telling the story of the Foreign Service. AFSA’s Speakers Bureau deploys members across the country to participate in virtual and in-person events. The work of members is featured on AFSA’s social media, and members play an important role in amplifying AFSA content. The Foreign Service Journal publishes articles by activeduty and retired members in each of the 10 editions per year. Finally, many of AFSA’s advocacy efforts begin with an email or phone call from a member reporting a problem or raising an issue. To contact AFSA, email member@afsa.org or use the form at https://afsa.org/contact-us. Member involvement and input makes AFSA stronger, so please stay engaged with your association during your career and throughout retirement. n —John K. Naland AFSA’s Good Works We conclude the centennial year with this tenth and final profile of an AFSA program that advances the collective or individual interests of its members. This issue features member engagement. AFSA’S GOOD WORKS
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