We connect the American foreign affairs community at home and abroad!
Operating as usual
“December is a simple wish that brings spectacular moments,” and a time to reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023. This is also the perfect moment to celebrate our valued partnerships, and to recognize the accomplishments of our foreign affairs community members at home and abroad.
READ MORE of AAFSW President Celine Erickson's letter to members on our website: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/12/12/letter-from-the-president-december-2022/
AAFSW seeks a BookStore manager!
Please submit an e-mail indicating interest along with a copy of your resume, or CV, or equivalent to [email protected] and [email protected] by December 24, 2022.
You can see the full job description on our website: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/12/15/aafsw-seeking-bookstore-manager/
AAFSW recently had the pleasure of learning more about the newest Director General of the Foreign Service, Marcia Bernicat, her goals for her tenure as Director General, where she sees the State Department in the future, and more. Check out our interview with her on our website: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/12/14/director-general-bernicat-interview/
And if you are not already a member of AAFSW, please join us using the QR code here!
DACOR has announced this year's Sherry Barndollar Rock Scholarship. For more information, visit: https://dacorbacon.org/sherry_barndollar_rock_scholar.php
AAFSW announces our latest project, FSClips: Sharing Our Stories of Foreign Service Life, in which we interviewed Foreign Service family members around the world and recorded the oral histories of life in the Foreign Service as told by those who live it! Topics include Foreign Born Spouses, Third Culture Kids, EFM Careers, LGBQTI, and Singles in the Foreign Service
You can find the transcripts of these interviews on our website right here: https://www.aafsw.org/fs-clips/
We hope you will take the time to read through these stories -- we're sure that they will resonate with many. Please share FSClips widely with our Foreign Affairs community! Thank you!
This webinar series will explore the unique financial situation that comes with a career in the Foreign Service. Part I will focus on personal finances, including the most common financial challenges in the Foreign Service, planning for a successful retirement, and investing in the TSP. Part II will cover financial investment topics such as how to stay informed while overseas and how to plan for your children's education.
Register at: https://forms.gle/yJRzofnAEVpmz7JU8.
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) has announced that its yearly scholarships are now open for eligible students. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2023. More information is available on their website: https://afsa.org/afsa-scholarships.
Last call! The FSI Transition Center's “Educating Your Foreign Service Child: The Boarding School Option” webinar will explore key considerations of sending your child to boarding school. Join this non-tuition offering to explore factors in determining if boarding school is right for your child, learn how to select the right boarding school, and navigate financial considerations and the admissions process.
Register at: https://forms.gle/FJph6G2VsLrvGpSJ8.
If you missed our latest recaps of some stellar events, you can catch up on our website. We hope you can join us for an upcoming program!
A Journey to Bali Through Art and Dance: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/11/02/a-journey-to-bali-through-art-and-dance/
Merrymaking at the Tunisian Ambassador's Residence: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/11/29/merrymaking-at-the-tunisian-ambassadors-residence/
Globally Connected and Community Minded!
We are connecting the U.S. Foreign Affairs Community at Home and Abroad. Join us to be part of the journey!
Join AAFSW today at aafsw.org/join
ADST is hiring an office manager and bookkeeper. To apply, send a resume and letter of interest to Executive Director Dan Tikvart at [email protected] by Dec. 12, 2022. See the full job description below.
If you missed the SOSA awards ceremony on Nov. 17 you can catch up with the slideshow presented at the event on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXRp5jqHWqA&t=11s.
And, you can listen to 2022 CCE-EFM award recipients Stephanie Anderson and Laureen Steed make remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6JJqmneULY&t=24s
Read more about our stellar winners! Recent SOSA articles in the news include:
State Dept: https://www.state.gov/meet-the-sosa-winners-the-heroes-who-strengthen-diplomacy-through-generosity/
Federal News Network: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/people/2022/11/state-department-fetes-foreign-service-families-for-their-volunteer-spirit-overseas/
Congratulations again to all of our award winners, honorable mentions, and nominees!
Social good star Henry Timms created Giving Tuesday in 2012, to make a difference, and change the world -- one amazing, inspiring cause at a time. Giving Tuesday was an instant success in its first year, with over 2500 foundations, corporations and volunteer organizations coming together in 50 states. Bloomberg News called it "the social innovation idea of the year".
AAFSW appreciates your donations on this Giving Tuesday! Use the QR code below or go directly to our paypal link: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=X8CA73Z5XNJQJ
FYI: Childcare Slots Available NOW at Diplotots!
The YMCA has immediate openings at Diplotots One and Diplotots Too in SA-1 and SA-17. At this time, there is NO WAITLIST. These immediate openings are in all classrooms age 6 weeks and up. Children of Department of State contractors are also eligible for enrollment at the centers.
The YMCA offers a safe and nurturing environment at our Diplotots childcare centers, instilling socially conscious values, and reinforcing positive skills, through hands on child-led learning and use of the Creative Curriculum™ to embrace each child’s individuality, diversity, and creativity.
Diplotots is accepting applications for immediate enrollment. Those interested should email Kenesha Dudley, the Center Director for both centers at [email protected].
Interested in enrolling your child(ren) for a future date? Please contact the YMCA at [email protected]. For future registrations, you may be directed to the waitlist. To join the waitlist or inquire about your waitlist status, please visit the Diplotots waitlist portal.
Email: [email protected]
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! We appreciate your donations!
Save the date!
Join Foreign Born Spouses (FBS) for a virtual webinar as part of the AAFSW Foreign Born Spouses Challenges and Success series.
RSVP to [email protected].
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Arthur Ward
Our work at AAFSW and our community are at the heart of the American spirit of giving back.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.
Celine Erickson, AAFSW President
No better way to celebrate Global Entrepreneur Week than recognizing and honoring, with the kind support of Deputy Secretary of State McKeon, the amazing recipients of the 2022 AAFSW's Secretary Of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteering Abroad (SOSA Award) on November 17, 2022 in the Benjamin Franklin Room.
See more photos of the awards ceremony on our website: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/11/18/photos-from-the-2022-sosa-awards-ceremony/
Read about the 2022 SOSA Winners and Honorable Mentions: https://www.aafsw.org/2022-sosa-awards/
Global Entrepreneurship Week - United States Department of State: https://www.state.gov/global-entrepreneurship-week/
Secretary Blinken Recognizes the Winners of the Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad
AAFSW is pleased to celebrate this year's SOSA awardees as well as the CCE-EFM award winners and and others.
The awards ceremony will take place tomorrow, (Thursday) November 17 at 11:00am EST in the Benjamin Franklin Room at HST.
If you have a State Dept. Badge or Dip passport, please join us in person!
If you have access to BNET, the ceremony will be streamed internally: https://bnet.stream.state.gov/
Congratulations to all of our award winners and nominees!
Join the Bureau of Medical Services and the Office of Overseas Schools for a webinar that includes information on the Special Needs Education Allowances (SNEA) and how to navigate finding a school for your child with special educational needs. This session is specifically designed for parents of children who are or will be assigned to a U.S. mission abroad.
Register at https://forms.gle/JdBtdc7Lj6S4XVzY9.
A resource that will be helpful to our AAFSW families!
Boarding schools are . There are a variety of boarding schools available to Foreign Service youth. GCLO recommends starting the planning process as early as possible! Visit GCLO's Boarding Schools website for resources and information on getting started including navigating the application process and Away-from-Post Education Allowance. https://www.state.gov/global-community-liaison-office/education-and-youth/boarding-schools/
AAFSW wishes you a happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all veterans for your service and sacrifice -- we honor and appreciate you!
Join us next Wednesday, November 16, at 1pm EST for a webinar with Judy Goodman Ikels to discuss her book "In Wartime China: A Daughter's Discovery".
A war hero who sacrificed himself for his men . . . a daughter who grew up without him . . . a chance encounter with a stranger working on a WWII project 71 years later . . . and a journey to discover the father she never knew.
All the information you need to logon to the webinar is on our site via this link (you don't need to register in advance): https://www.aafsw.org/event/webinar-with-judy-ikels/
Please email [email protected] with any questions.
Thanks to all who made the 2022 AAFSW Art and BookFair such an amazing event! We'll see you next year!
On our website, AAFSW President Celine Castel Erickson reviews our recent program "A Journey to Bali Through Art and Dance," that took place on Oct. 24. Over four hundred guests attended the event at the Dean Acheson Auditorium.
Read more about this special day by clicking here: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/11/02/a-journey-to-bali-through-art-and-dance/
BookFair fun - come see us today! Open 11am-3pm through Nov. 5!
Join AAFSW and WtoW, under the auspices of Her Excellency Hanene Tajouri Bessassi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, for a special Tunisian evening. You'll have a unique opportunity to learn and appreciate the culture, traditions, and gastronomy of this beautiful country. You will enjoy a delicious authentic buffet dinner of Tunisian delicacies and a live performance of traditional Tunisian music.
This special event takes place on Nov. 11 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and space is limited. Get yours today!
Tickets available via our website: https://www.aafsw.org/event/tunisia-cultural-event/
Reminder that AAFSW's Art and BookFair is ON!
It will run through November 5! The fair will be open from 11 am-3 pm daily to employees and their guests.
The fair is open to the public on November 5 from 11 am-3 pm.
The fair has relocated for 2022 and is in the new National Museum of American Diplomacy, located near the remodeled 21st St entrance of the Department of State.
We look forward to seeing you there!
During evacuations or anytime, AAFSW is here for you.
Come visit us at Art and BookFair 2022!
AAFSW's Art and BookFair opens TODAY!
Dates are October 27-November 5! The fair will be open from 11 am-3 pm daily to employees and their guests.
The fair is open to the public on October 29, 30 and November 5 from 11 am-3 pm.
The fair has relocated for 2022 and will take place in the new National Museum of American Diplomacy, located near the remodeled 21st St entrance of the Department of State.
We look forward to seeing you there!
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY -- please see info below.
From AAFSW President Celine Erickson: No one is better prepared for this opportunity than our AAFSW's junior family members. Good luck from the President!
The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy Voluntary Internship Project (2020-25) is a 5-year program with the main purpose to enable students who need an internship as a compulsory part of their BA, MA or other graduate studies to engage in cultural diplomacy and in doing so, to further promote cultural diplomacy and multiculturalism worldwide.
The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy invites applications from individuals who are coming from the following fields:
Communication & Journalism
Film, Photography & Visual Art
Arts & Culture
Philosophy
Literature
International Relations & Politics
Marketing & Public Relations
Journalism
History
Languages
Apply here:
The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy Voluntary Internship Project (2020-25) is a 5-year program with the main purpose to enable students who need an internship as a compulsory part of their BA, MA or other graduate studies to engage in cultural diplomacy and in doing so, to further promote cultural di...
Please RSVP to [email protected]!
FYI for those with high school students!
We are thrilled to kick off our annual National High School Essay Contest! With our partners, the United States Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea, and the National Student Leadership Conference, we are honored to provide this opportunity for high school students with an interest in international affairs, diplomacy, peacebuilding and global engagement.
Click through to read all about this year’s topic and other contest information: www.afsa.org/essaycontest.
Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) presents: A conversation with Judy Goodman Ikels
A war hero who sacrificed himself for his men . . . a daughter who grew up without him . . . a chance encounter with a stranger working on a WWII project 71 years later . . . and a journey to discover the father she never knew.
Join us to learn more about this remarkable story and new book in a webinar on
Wednesday, November 16, at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
Please use the link and passcode below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87035517758?pwd=WElkcnBYYmZRUzh3VlBQZ3ZlTlZ6UT09
Passcode: 062001
We’re excited to hold the Art and BookFair again this year from October 27-November 5!
The fair has relocated for 2022 and will take place in the new National Museum of American Diplomacy, located near the remodeled 21st St entrance of the Department of State.
The fair will be open from 11 am-3 pm daily to employees and their guests.
The fair is open to the public on October 29, 30 and November 5.
Since 1961, our annual Art and BookFair has been held each fall in the Exhibition Hall at the Department of State. Employees and family members and even the public can browse through donated popular and classic books, rare books and foreign language collections, stamps, coins, and art, crafts and artifacts from around the world. We constantly hear from both members and non-members, how much they look forward to the annual Art and BookFair. The money raised goes towards scholarships and operation expenses.
Look forward to seeing you there.
AAFSW is thrilled to announce our new president, Celine Erickson. Celine is a longtime AAFSW member and has been our Spouses in Transition chair since 2018. Please warmly welcome our 2022 AAFSW President!
From Celine: With so many great people and so many opportunities with AAFSW, we are looking forward to boosting our efforts to meet our community members’ needs. Let’s team up !
Read Celine's monthly letter to members here: https://www.aafsw.org/blog/2022/10/14/letter-from-the-president-october-2022/
Join FSI's Center of Excellence in Foreign Affairs Resilience (CEFAR) and NYT best-selling author Amelia Nagoski for a resilience-boosting webinar on October 19, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. We'll explore the causes of burnout, how it affects our bodies, and what we can do about emotional and physical exhaustion. This is a BYOQ (Bring Your Own Questions) event that will feature a red-hot chat box. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with the author of “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” and your peers in the foreign affairs community as we learn to thrive together!
Register at https://forms.gle/bTCFA1yGVueW2SDr6
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AAFSW has had an Evacuee Support Network since the Seventies. In response to today's Washington Post article, and in honor of our recent Foreign Service evacuees, here's a sample from the Seventies scene "Hotel California" parody. To order your copy of the entire DVD please go to http://www.aafsw.org/dvd.htm
The AAFSW 50th Anniversary Musical Play is divided into scenes by decade. In the Nineties, for example, we talked about the (then) new phenomenon of male trailing spouses, and the impact of the (then) new Internet on FS life. Here's a sample: an original rap song (decade-appropriate!) written by Francesca Kelly. To order your copy of this marvelous DVD, go to http://www.aafsw.org/dvd.htm
The AAFSW 50th Anniversary Musical Play is divided into scenes by decade. In the Nineties, for example, we talked about the (then) new phenomenon of male trailing spouses, and the impact of the (then) new Internet on FS life. Here's a sample: an original rap song (decade-appropriate, of course!) written by Francesca Kelly. To order your copy of this marvelous DVD, go to http://www.aafsw.org/dvd.htm
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