News

Dear Members and Friends of AAFSW,

As we move forward into another wonderful year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you. Your support, dedication, and enthusiasm have made 2024 a remarkable year for our community.

To our new members and friends, welcome! We are thrilled to have you join us and look forward to sharing meaningful and joyful moments in 2025.

Life in the Foreign Service is a unique journey filled with challenges and incredible experiences. We are grateful for the resilience and strength of our members and their families, who navigate this extraordinary path with grace and determination. Your stories, contributions, and camaraderie enrich our community and inspire us all.

During this holiday season, we extend our heartfelt wishes to those in need around the world. May peace, comfort, and hope reach every corner of the globe.

Because of your support, AAFSW has been able to give back in meaningful ways. This year, we contributed to:

• The George Washington University Hospital Women's Board, aiding their patients and caregivers, leading to an upcoming partnership focused on nutrition and wellness.

• St. Jude's Hospital for children with cancer.

• The FSN Emergency Relief Fund, the Department’s official charitable mechanism for disaster assistance to Locally Employed Staff. Since 1994, this Fund has served as an immediate humanitarian resource for local employees of the Department of State and all other USG agencies under the Chief of Mission authority.

We are also grateful for the successful events, inter-agency meetings, and collaboration over the year, including those with the ambassadors from Italy, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka,  who spoke at our events and opened their homes to our community. Additionally, we would like to say a special thanks to Director General Bernicat and Ms. Ryan, Secretary Blinken's spouse, for their unwavering support.

Wishing you holidays filled with warmth, joy, and cherished memories. As we embark on a new year, let us embrace lasting friendships, personal growth, and unforgettable moments. Cheers to all the wonderful experiences that lie ahead.

Warmest wishes,

Celine Ford

President

AAFSW

Members and supporters of the Foreign Service filled the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Room for the AAFSW volunteer awards program on Nov. 13. The annual ceremony once again highlighted the spirit of family member volunteerism that is so vibrant among our mission communities abroad. We were honored to recognize the volunteer work of seven outstanding individuals who exemplify that spirit.

The ceremony recognized winners of the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA), The Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award, the Lesley Dorman Award, and the Champions of Career Enhancement for EFMs (CCE-EFM) Award. We were privileged to have White House Cabinet Secretary Evan Ryan and Director General Marcia Bernicat speak and present the awards. 

SOSA is awarded to outstanding volunteer service performed overseas. The  SOSA winners for 2024 are Andrew Richley (EUR), Connie Pearson (NEA), Kristen Factor (SCA) and Garrett Fraino (WHA). 

Andrew Richley established the Urbana Basta Podgorica Food Forest and served as its manager. The garden’s monthly food harvest has resulted in more than 250 crates of food being donated to local food banks and home delivery services.

Following the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks, Connie Pearson worked to organize lunches and dinners for overworked embassy staff as well as IDF soldiers and displaced Gazan families.  Connie’s extraordinary service also included providing traumatized students with school supplies, and assisting a local orphanage to purchase and renovate new facilities.

Kristen Factor’s dedication to empowering young girls through art and education has left an indelible mark on the lives of those she’s touched. In Mumbai, Factor dedicated hundreds of hours, and her own funds, to provide art education to a group of 25 orphaned girls by building the program from scratch.

Garrett Fraino’s remarkable service to the impoverished favelas of Rio de Janeiro has made a significant impact in the lives of Brazilian youth. Through his work with the Mais Caminhos organization, he strengthened and restructured the organization while also providing extensive tutoring and coaching to the students. 

More details of the winners’ extraordinary volunteer efforts are highlighted on the AAFSW website here. 

SOSA honorable mentions for 2024 were awarded to Valerie Wendell and Joel McDonnell (AF), Thanh Kim (EAP), Sarah Berdugo (EUR), Jessica Baetjer (NEA), Stefanie Hendricks (SCA), and Susannah Holmes (WHA).

Following the presentation of the SOSA awards, DACOR president Angela Dickey presented the Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award. The Tragen Award is funded by an annual gift from Mr. Tragen and is administered by DACOR. It recognizes a member of the Foreign Service community who has effectively advocated for and enhanced the global rights and benefits of the Foreign Service family. This year’s recipient was Megan Kuhn. Megan’s distinctive contributions have markedly enriched the professional environment for eligible family members (EFMs) by launching the Parallel Professionals networking group in November 2020 and overseeing its transition to an official Employee Organization in 2023.

Past AAFSW president Patricia Linderman presented the Champions of Career Enhancement for EFMs Award. This award honors someone who has made exceptional efforts to promote employment and career development for Foreign Service family members. This year’s recipient was Joanna Parys. During her tenure as HR EPAP for Embassy Kinshasa, Joanna created a positive and welcoming atmosphere during a year of political turmoil, war, and disease outbreaks. Joanna’s creativity, advocacy, and dedication allowed the Mission to focus on strategic diplomatic efforts, knowing the Embassy community was cohesively supported by EFMs whose skills suited their roles.

Lara Center, another prior AAFSW president, awarded the Lesley Dorman Award to Jenny Kocher. The Lesley Dorman Award recognizes an AAFSW member who has performed outstanding service in all aspects of the organization. Since 2019, Jenny has demonstrated exceptional dedication and initiative in her efforts, making a significant impact on the lives of many EFMs in the Foreign Service community. Currently, Jenny continues to innovate and connect EFMs through her Virtual Connections monthly program, an online platform that is inclusive of all EFMs, regardless of their location.

These annual awards provide an opportunity for us to pause from the demanding work of diplomacy to recognize how EFM efforts contribute to our collective diplomatic efforts and remind us of the common humanity that binds embassy communities, our government, and our world.

You can see a gallery of photos from this event here.

Thanksgiving Dinner

AAFSW continued its cultural sponsorship program with the National Defense University this last month by hosting several  International Fellows and their families in their homes for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Fellows and their families from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Maldives were treated to delicious roast turkeys and traditional side dishes including stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and pies. One host will be a certified chef soon so their guests received an extra special treat!

The kids enjoyed doing Thanksgiving crafts, coloring turkey placemats and posing with silly photo booth props. 

Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed a warm welcome into their sponsor's families homes. They admired mementos from career achievements and overseas postings, played pool, and checked out one host's shiny red corvette!

The IFs had done homework on the history of Thanksgiving but still had questions about pumpkin pies, Pilgrims, and another Thanksgiving staple, American football!

National Defense University Hall of Fame

American sponsors were invited to attend a special ceremony last month celebrating NDU alumni who have achieved the highest ranks in their nation's armed forces and government. International honorees include Chiefs of Staff, Commanders, Ambassadors, and even a President and are displayed on campus in Marshall Hall.

Dear AAFSW Community,

We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. We are grateful for your continued support and dedication as we celebrate Giving Tuesday. Your contributions help us support initiatives for the FS community, such as scholarships, awards, and more. Your generosity enables us to impact our foreign service community meaningfully.

Please consider donating to AAFSW on Giving Tuesday to strengthen our mission and support our initiatives. Thank you for being an essential part of the AAFSW family.

You may donate to us here: https://www.aafsw.org/Donate

AAFSW is a membership-based and accredited 501(c)(3) non profit association.

Warm regards,

Celine

Celine Ford, President 

The Associates of the American Foreign Service (AAFSW)

As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, the AAFSW colleagues and team want to extend our deepest gratitude. Your dedication and commitment to our foreign affairs community significantly strengthen the bonds among foreign service families.

Wishing you a joyous and fulfilling Thanksgiving Holiday!

Celine

AAFSW's 2024 Awards Ceremony for the Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Aboard (SOSA), Champions of Career Enhancement for Eligible Family Members Award (CCE-EFM), and Lesley Dorman Award took place on Nov. 13, 2024 at the State Department.

You can see a photo gallery from this event by clicking here . Learn more about the 2024 winners here.

You may watch a video of the ceremony on our youtube channel by clicking here .

In August 2024, AAFSW migrated to a new association management system (AMS). Based upon the leading Wild Apricot platform, this new system enhances our ability to serve our members while providing the best security. From our website, you may access and update the details of your AAFSW membership.

We ask that you connect, update your profile, and review your membership status at www.aafsw.org.  For security reasons, your first access requires that you reset your password by the “Forgot Password” link on the Login page or by selecting the profile icon located in the upper-right corner of our website .

This new platform provides many new features and important changes for our members:

• Family Memberships. The standard Associate membership (formerly Regular membership) is now a bundle that allows you to share your membership with your spouse, allowing each separate access to association resources and events. Navigate to your  profile to manage your membership accounts.
• Directory. Each member may customize their contact information and choose how they appear in the members-only directory. You may contact other members through the directory but we never share your email or phone number. Find other members with similar interests or living in the same country!
• Interest Groups. Each member may select to participate in various interest groups and committees. Navigate to your profile to manage your interests and receive targeted communications.
• Events. Each member may browse and register for events.
• Automatic Renewals. All memberships renew automatically for one year on the renewal date. You may accept automatic renewal payment or opt out to pay manually.  In every case, you will receive reminders as your membership nears expiration.
• Online Payment. You may pay online with any credit or debit card. Your payment details are safely protected.
• Mobile Access. The new site is optimized for mobile devices. You can check your membership details, browse the directory, and register for event tickets with the Wild Apricot mobile app.

Get started! Connect today to verify your information, add your spouse, express your interests, and volunteer.  Contact us with any questions or suggestions.

Kind regards,

AAFSW AMS Committee

Dear members and friends of AAFSW,

I am delighted to announce the opening of AAFSW’s Art and Diplomacy Series on November 10, 2024, under the patronage of The Arts Council of the National Methodist Church in Washington, DC. This initiative is designed to celebrate and promote the talents and inspirations within our foreign service community.

The opening event was a resounding success, showcasing the talents and inspiration of the artists among the foreign service community for a better world, accompanied by delightful musicians, students, and piano maestros.

The artists will have an annual fall exhibition in the stunning great hall of the church, located at the heart of the DMV area. These exhibitions are dedicated to our foreign affairs artists, providing them with a platform to share their work and perspectives on the enriching power of art and the mutual understanding of our global village and culture.

We believe that art has a unifying effect, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community. The exhibition will last until January, with more events to come. Please come and meet the artists at our next event, which will be announced soon.

Best regards,

Celine President, AAFSW

The 2024 Art & BookFair (ABF) was a fabulous success! 

Director General Marcia Bernicat graciously opened the Fair then walked around ABF chatting with volunteers and shoppers. She also made a purchase before dashing off to her next appointment. You can read her remarks here.

There was a steady flow of clients all during ABF. Every area did well – Art Corner, Jewelry, Collectors Corner, Stamps, and of course, Books! Items were replenished throughout the event. Did you donate this year? Your items are now in a loving home where they are appreciated. Thank you for helping AAFSW and making someone happy.  Many of the purchased items are slated to be given as wonderful gifts this holiday season.

Where did all the extra books and items go after ABF? Some went to neighborhood organizations, church programs, and a student-led group for George Washington University providing books to children in need. The rest we sold to a secondhand book dealer. That means we must start all over again. So now is the time to check out your books, treasures from your overseas assignments, jewelry you no longer wear, and other items (no framed art at this point) to consider donating to AAFSW.

It takes all year for us to receive, prepare, and box items for the next ABF. This all happens in Books & Global Treasures (BGT) and the Art Corner workshop. BGT is open and ready for this new season – M-Th 11:30 – 2:30 in Foggy Bottom.

Do you have some time to give? We are always looking for new volunteers. Many jobs – pricing, boxing, shelving, cashiering, etc. are done in BGT. Other jobs can be done online. Your ideas are also welcome. Interested? Email: bookroom@aafsw.org or leave a message at 202-223-5796 (BookStore).

If you are overseas, think about items that others might like to have from that country.  Bring them back and donate to AAFSW. We are a 501(c)(3) charity and can give you an IRS compliant receipt.

We need YOU to participate.

Need to get away for a few minutes from the pressures of work? Come down to BGT to browse, sit and read a book, work on the jigsaw puzzle, and just give your brain a refresh.  We look forward to seeing you.

Anne Kauzlarich, ABF Chair

On October 30, 2024, Celine Ford, President, and Alane Relk, Office Manager of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW), attended the Interagency Round Table (IART) partners meeting at the U.S. Department of State in the Harry S. Truman Building (HST), Loy Henderson Auditorium. The IART is comprised of representatives from United States federal agencies and invited affiliated organizations who share an interest in improving the quality of life for employees and families living and working overseas.

The Roundtable provides a forum to share ideas and resources, identify and propose solutions to common challenges, and capitalize on the strengths of each member group through networking. The meeting offered our interagency partners valuable information and resources, as well as practical guidance to share with community members under Chief of Mission authority.

Ramona Sandoval, The Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) thanked all participants for their involvement in the recent Interagency Round Table (IART) meeting – Sharing Ideas and Resources – Fall Updates from Interagency Partners. Ms. Sandoval extended a special thank you to DAS Lucia Piazza for her welcome remarks, and the speakers, Jennifer Monna, Director of Medical Clearances, the colleagues from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Joe Domask, Sarah Genton, and Michelle Ross, and GCLO Management and Program Analyst Jason Pantaleo. 

AAFSW is pleased to share the following resources with our community:

For further information about Expeditious Naturalization, please refer to the following website: Guidelines for Expeditious Naturalization - United States Department of State (https://www.state.gov/global-community-liaison-office/naturalization-of-foreign-born-spouses/guidelines-for-expeditious-naturalization/).

 For digital versions of GCLO Outreach cards, please refer to this website: GCLO Outreach Resources - United States Department of State (https://www.state.gov/global-community-liaison-office/outreach-resources/).

 For regular updates about GCLO, please sign up to GCLO Weekly (https://bit.ly/GCLOweekly) and you may also be interested in following us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GlobalCommunityLiaisonOffice/).

All the best,

Celine