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ASsociates of the aMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE WORLDWIDE BYLAWS
Revised April 2026
Article I - Title
The name of this corporation shall be the ASSOCIATES OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE WORLDWIDE.
Article II - Principal Office
The location and principal office of this corporation shall be in the greater Washington, DC area.
Article III - Purposes
The business and objectives of the organization are the following and were approved by the Board of Directors in 2026:
AAFSW, through advocacy and activities, seeks to improve the quality of life of the greater foreign affairs community. AASFW consults with foreign affairs agencies to identify and promote policies and practices that equitably benefit employees and their families serving domestically and abroad. AAFSW strives to identify, promote, and overcome the challenges and hardships of the Foreign Service life.
AAFSW consultations with Department of State management officials shall include the participation of, and/or input by one or more AAFSW board members to:
1. Raise funds for scholarships, community projects, recognition of volunteers, and other purposes approved by the Board;
2. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge on topics of interest to members, including education, employment, housing, and community conditions;
3. Provide assistance to members during evacuations and other personal crisis; 4. Encourage educational and practical training programs at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center or such other locations where the Department may offer them. Develop and advocate for educational resources and training programs that enhance the safety and quality of life for members
5. Develop and maintain archives documenting the history of AAFSW and of EFMs, spouses and family members.
Article IV - Membership
Associate
1. Associate Memberships are open to spouses, former spouses, employees and adult family members of foreign affairs employees, living or deceased, serving or having served in the Foreign Service, Civil Service, or other foreign affairs agencies or who have been US Government employees under the authority of the Chief of Mission. Applicants can show affiliation in several ways. If needed, applicants can email the AAFSW office to assist with the process. An Associate may be elected to the Board of Directors, serve on committees, attend the annual general assembly and vote (one vote per family) in associate elections. Each family member may participate independently in all AAFSW events, activities, and opportunities.
Entrepreneur
2. An Entrepreneur membership allows listing in the Foreign Service Community Business Directory. The Entrepreneur membership is otherwise identical to the Associate membership with the same benefits, privileges, and requirements. Applicants that cannot demonstrate affiliation with a foreign affairs agency should consider a Partner membership. An Associate may change their membership to Entrepreneur. For additional information, contact our Membership Committee.
Friend
3. A Friend membership does not require an affiliation with a foreign affairs agency. A Friend must be sponsored in writing by a current Associate. A Friend membership is limited to a single individual and is valid for a renewable one-year period. Friends may receive general communication, attend events, and participate in networking opportunities; other activities may be restricted to Associate members. Friends of AAFSW members cannot hold positions on the Board or be Committee Chairs; and Friends of AAFSW members cannot vote in elections.*
Partner
4. AAFSW may offer a Partner membership to companies or individuals that provide support, products, or services to the foreign service community. Partners may receive general communication, attend events, and participate in networking opportunities; other activities may be restricted to Associate members. Partners may be eligible to post their logo on AAFSW media. For additional information, contactour Membership Committee. Partners of AAFSW members cannot hold positions on the Board or be Committee Chairs; and Partners of AAFSW members cannot vote in elections.*
*The combined number of Friends and Partner Memberships may not exceed 15 percent of total AAFSW membership.
Donor
5. Donors of $10,000 or more may be eligible for additional benefits including a Lifetime Associate or Friend membership, priority event registration, and privileged networking opportunities. For additional information, contact our Fundraising Committee.
Past Presidents become Lifetime Associate Members and may serve on committees or other Board positions and retain the right to vote like any other Associate Member. As Lifetime Associates, they do not pay annual dues.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to exercise final authority regarding eligibility for all membership.
Article V - Officers
1. Honorary Officers of the Organization may be invited by the Board to serve as:
1.1. Honorary President
1.2. Honorary Vice-President
2. The elected officers of the Association shall be:
2.1. President
2.2. First Vice-President
2.3. Second Vice-President
2.4. Secretary to the Board
2.5. Treasurer
2.6. Assistant Treasurer
3. At the time of the election, the candidates for office shall be members of the organization.
3a. The President shall serve no more than two terms, or four consecutive years. At the end of the term(s), the President becomes President Emerita in an advisory capacity for one year, as needed.
3b. The other elected officers shall serve for two years; they may be re-elected. 3c. All officers may curtail with at least three-month notice.
4. The Executive Committee consists of the President, First and Second Vice-Presidents, Secretary to the Board, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
Article VI - Committees
1. The Association shall have the following standing committees:
1. Membership & Public Relations
Recruit and retain members. Represent and promote AAFSW at various events. Develop and launch membership campaigns regularly. Report on membership progress quarterly.
2. Programs & Events
Organizes regular events at Main State and in various venues of the DMV. 3. Art & BookFair
Organizes annual Art & BookFair and supervises the operations of the bookstore at the State Department: Books and Global Treasures.
4. Awards
Manages every aspect of the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) ceremony, including AAFSW’s annual awards (CCE-EFM and Dorman) in the Harry S. Truman Building. The chair ensures AAFSW’s award program runs smoothly by working closely with other award committees, including those managing the CCE-EFM, Dorman, and DACOR Tragen Awards.
5. EFM Employment
Conducts advocacy about EFM employment regulations and status; helps EFM’s career by offering personalized advice; offers EFM entrepreneurs a business platform; organizes EFM business presentations, etc. Heads the CCE-EFM and Dorman Award committees.
6. Foreign Born Spouses Community Outreach
● Programs & Events (Virtual and In-Person): Organizes and hosts interactive virtual sessions, including professional development workshops, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and themed networking events.
● Community Support: Develops and manages initiatives that connect members for mentorship, peer support, and information-sharing, helping newcomers navigate Foreign Service life, including Happy Hours and social gatherings.
7. Information Resource Management
Manages the Association Management System (AMS), supports the webmaster who manages Livelines, the Global Link, advertising on social media, and the website.
8. Scholarships
Organizes the call to applications, diverse selecting committees, selection process, and publication of results.
9. Spouses in Transition
Receives and evaluates the need for support from various victims or spouses in transition.
10. Volunteers Network & Evacuation Support Network
Formed in 1984 to provide support for families who had been evacuated due to natural causes or dangerous or unrest situations. Provides support in areas where the State Department cannot, in liaison with GCLO. This committee comprises a large number of ad-hoc volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to become AAFSW members, but it is not a requirement.
11. Community Engagement & Public Outreach
This comprises, but is not limited to, welcoming incoming community members, housing information, presenting AAFSW, liaison to AFSA, Livelines communications.
2. The Association may have the following ad hoc committees as needed. For example, but not limited to:
a. Finance (Treasurer and First vice president co-chair with volunteers)
b. Members privileges (seeks partnerships and discounts for members)
c. Liaisons to Senior Living, FSYF, DACOR, and State
d. Legislative Liaison
3. The President may appoint such other committees as may be required.
Article VII – Board of Directors
1. The AAFSW Board of Directors shall consist of all the elected officers and the chairs of the eleven standing committees listed above.
2. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have the right to vote at Board meetings. The vote is with the committee, not with the chair. Therefore, each person may only vote once per issue put forth for a vote. If a person is chair of two committees, someone else on the second committee will vote. Attendance at Board Meetings is necessary at least 6 times out of 10, in person or remotely. Reports sent prior to Board Meetings are mandatory at least 6 times out of 10. Proxies are permitted to vote.
3. Honorary Officers, members, Associate members, committee chairs and others may attend Board meetings without the right to vote.
Article VIII - Meetings
1. Membership meetings:
a. A meeting of the entire membership of the organization may be called at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors. This meeting shall be known as the AAFSW Membership Meeting;
b. Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, or at the request of ten percent of the membership;
c. Timely notice of membership meetings, whether Regular or Special, shall be given to all members of the organization not less than five days in advance.
d. A quorum for any meeting of the membership shall consist of either ten percent of the duly qualified members entitled to vote or twenty-five people, whichever shall be less.
2. Board of Directors meetings:
a. Meetings of the Board shall be held regularly throughout the year (usually 10 times per year), at a time and place to be fixed by the President;
b. Notice of Board meetings, whether Regular or Special, shall be given in a timely fashion not less than 72 hours in advance;
c. The quorum for the meetings of the Board of Directors shall be 51% of the filled Board positions at the time of the meeting;
d. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President.
Article IX - Procedure
Unless otherwise determined by a majority vote at any meeting, procedure shall be in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
Article X - Elections
1. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Board of Directors to prepare a slate of nominees for each office.
a. The President must reside in the greater Washington, DC area.
2. The ballot shall be provided to all members at least thirty days in advance of the close of voting through the AAFSW newsletter. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall receive the ballots and count them. Results shall be announced in the next regularly published newsletter (The Global Link) and by direct email via the AMS.
3. With respect to each office, the person receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie, a decision will be made by lot, drawn by the Chair of the Nominating Committee in the presence of the committee.
4. The elected Officers will serve for two years: They may be re-elected.
5. The Nominating Committee shall remain in existence until the next Nominating Committee is appointed.
Article XI - Vacancies
1. In the event that the office of President shall become vacant, the First Vice President shall succeed to that office.
2. Should other vacancies occur on the Board of Directors, the positions shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, according to the recommendations of the Nominating Committee.
Article XII - Finances
The Board of Directors shall exercise fiduciary responsibility over the finances of the Association ensuring that all dues payments, grants, bequests, or other funds donated or otherwise given to AAFSW are utilized for the purposes of the Association. An annual budget shall be prepared projecting income and authorizing expenditures.
The budget shall be available for inspection by the membership. All funds of AAFSW not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of AAFSW in such bank or credit union as the Board may select. All checks or other orders for the payment of money shall be signed or authorized by such Officer, Officers, or other person as the Board may designate. All required federal state and local tax reporting forms shall be filed in a timely manner.
Article XIII - Bylaws
1. A Bylaws Committee shall be appointed by the President to make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
2. These Bylaws may be amended, repealed, or altered in whole or in part, at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided notice of such meetings is given in advance (by email and/or US Mail) to all members of the organization.
3. A review of the Bylaws shall take place at least every four years. The next review shall take place no later than 2030.
Article XIV - Seal
The organization shall have a corporate seal with the name of the Association, the year of its incorporation, and the words, "Corporate Seal, District of Columbia". This seal may be affixed or reproduced.
Article XV - Dissolution
In the event that the organization (AAFSW) dissolves or closes, the Board of Directors shall, after paying and making provisions for the payment of all liabilities, distribute all the assets of the corporation to one or more organizations which have been recognized as a 501(C)3 organization by the Internal Revenue Service and are dedicated to charitable and/or educational purposes for past and [[add: “/or” to the preceding “and” ]] present members of the U.S. Foreign Affairs agencies and their families who serve or have served overseas.
Download AAFSW's Bylaws (pdf file)