Tom Yazdgerdi, Candidate for President +
The best defense is a good offense. That saying totally applies to what’s happening to AFSA right now. It is an existential fight – and one we must win.
AFSA has had collective bargaining rights since the early 1970s. Now that these rights were eliminated at State and USAID last week, I am even more motivated to fight for you.
Just yesterday, AFSA filed a lawsuit against the administration that seeks to restore these rights. To get immediate relief, we will also soon file a preliminary injunction to stop all such action against AFSA.
Without collective rights, there will be no accountability on what this or any administration can do regarding policy toward promotions, assignments and basically any personnel action it wishes to take. In other words, our voices will be silenced.
I am Tom Yazdgerdi and am running for re-election as AFSA president to ensure this injustice does not stand.
Randy Chester, Candidate for USAID Vice President
Voting Matters - national, state, local, or union - elections set the direction. This election is happening amidst an uncertain future making it all the more important that you cast your ballot. Regardless of the outcome on April 15, I will continue to support you as we fight for our rights and our return.
Thank you for your incredible service and for all for the sacrifices you have made throughout your careers in service to America. Your work will be long remembered for the lives it saved, the lives you made better, and the peace and security you brought to America and the American people. Finally, it has been my privilege and honor to serve you these past 2 years. You have now and always will have my unwavering respect and support.
With gratitude and respect,
Randy
Rohit Nepal, Candidate for State Department Vice President +
None of this is normal. The destruction of USAID. The termination of our collective bargaining rights. The changes in GTM leadership. The climate of fear and anxiety.
I’m asking for your vote for AFSA State VP because I want to fight for you. Whether or not AFSA prevails in the courts and regains it collective bargaining role, it will need to continue to be a strong voice for the Foreign Service. As an FSO, I have a proven track record of taking care of colleagues - Americans and LES alike. As a lawyer, I fought uphill battles and understand that vindicating rights takes persistence in the face of long odds - when you get a bad decision, or lose an argument, you need to get back up and start again. That’s what I’ll do if elected.
"Go with Ro" and the Diplomacy Matters slate. You can reach me at rohitsnepal @ yahoo.com.
Stephanie Straface, Candidate for State Department Representative +
As a candidate for State Representative of AFSA, I am dedicated to restoring collective bargaining rights, a cornerstone of fair representation and an essential tool for protecting the rights and interests of all foreign service officers. I will also champion the interests of entry and mid-level officers, recognizing their crucial role in the success of our foreign service. Their voices deserve to be heard, and I will work tirelessly to address their concerns and ensure they have a clear path to success. Additionally, I will protect the integrity of fellowships, ensuring these vital opportunities remain accessible and beneficial for our future leaders. I am committed to advocating for the values and needs of our dedicated members – and together – we can strengthen our community, fight for our rights, and secure a more equitable future for our profession. I ask for your vote to make this vision a reality.
Donald Camp, Candidate for Retiree Representative ^
In the next few years, AFSA will be fighting for us – retirees and active duty -- and we must support the organization in any way we can. If I am elected, I will support AFSA from the inside as your retiree rep. If I am not elected, I will be an active volunteer in public advocacy and in any other way AFSA can use my skills.
Nothing is sacred in these times, and that includes our retirement benefits. We must work hard in Congress and in the public arena to make our case that we have earned those benefits. I commit to using my communications and advocacy skills, honed in the Foreign Service, to fight for us and to keep all of you informed about our efforts.
I ask for your vote and welcome your advice and guidance at donacamp @ gmail.com
Julie Nutter, Candidate for Retiree Representative +
My name is Julie Nutter and I’m running for retiree representative. In this critical period, when AFSA’s existence is threatened, we need the expertise and experience of every single member. Our retirees have already helped AFSA raise money for the Legal Defense Fund and boosted awareness of what our country loses by gutting the Foreign Service. I will make this collaboration even stronger by asking the AFSA Board to create a retiree steering committee made up of our volunteers to report back to the Board on a regular basis. Our retirees deserve to have their accomplishments recognized and supported. Finally, in this era of seemingly random budget cutting, I will fight to keep your pensions and health benefits as they are right now. To do less disregards your service to our country. Thank you.
John Naland, Candidate for Treasurer
Having served on the AFSA Governing Board for 14 of the last 26 years in the positions of President, State VP, and Retiree VP, I believe that my knowledge and experience could benefit the next Governing Board. Therefore, I ask for your vote for me to serve as AFSA Treasurer.
The position of Treasurer will be especially important over the next two years as AFSA experiences a decline in revenue due to Foreign Service reductions in force and faces the need to increase legal and outreach expenditures to defend the Foreign Service. Fortunately, Governing Boards over the past several decades have built up a sizeable operating reserve. AFSA will need to draw down those reserves to fund core programs and defend the Foreign Service but should do so prudently given that the current “black swan” event will likely last at least four years.
Peter Burba, Candidate for State Department Vice President
Candidates talk about transparency, I believe the biggest problem in the State Department is that information tends to flow in one direction, upwards. We should not treat every practice or process in our system as eternal and I believe we can improve our organization.
Transparency also means for me a better use of 360s in EERs and in the DCM/PO assignment process. A former AFSA VP developed, and the AFSA board approved, a system to include anonymous 360 references from employees an officer is supervising in the reviewer statement of their EERs. Let's try to implement it. I served at an embassy where LE staff located at two consulates generals called my section in tears over their treatment by American officers and EFMs at their post and I could not help.
I want a system where subordinates cannot be completely ignored in DCM/PO selection or the EER process.
Christina Higgins, Candidate for State Department Representative
Now is a time to show up! For ideas on how to do that in your community - email me: Communityideas22 @ yahoo.com. I want to thank each and every one of you for showing up to work every day, giving the Department, your colleagues and the American people your best. As an FSO of 25 years, I will put my extensive HR experience at your service. I have served on several non-profit boards. Our shared experiences will inform my advocacy: I have been single in the Foreign Service, divorced, married, a parent, a subordinate, a supervisor, a DCM. I know what it’s like to be an entry-level employee with two weeks annual leave at a hardship post and to need the education allowance for speech therapy for my child.
John O’Keefe, Candidate for Retiree Vice President +
Just as we thought the impossible couldn't happen: USAID destroyed; AFSA frozen out of negotiating for your interests nullified; and an assault on our profession launched. We have challenged these actions in court.
But today the key rests with our work in the legislative branch. That means we need Board members who can work with Republicans and Democrats.
I headed one of eleven legislative branch agencies for ten years. My Board included three senators and three representatives both Republicans and Democrats. We worked well together, and some have risen to chair key committees. That means I can advocate our critical legislative initiatives directly.
And without that access, we won't have success in our last great hope.
Kevin Sampson, Candidate for USAID Vice President
I think AFSA missed a great opportunity to advocate. This past weekend there was great show of support for federal workers at the Washington Monument rally. Great speeches, great energy, and a great desire to improve. We heard from AFGE, NEA, Teamsters, and the Nurses Union – but no AFSA. We heard compelling stories about vets and nurses losing their jobs, but the crowd really needed to hear USAID’s John and Jane Doe stories from the field.
I wore my USAID vest and got– a hug from an IP, fist bumps from several people and people wanted to get a picture with the USAID guy. Whatever happens over the next few months keep your head up and be proud of what you accomplished. Take care of yourself and don't give up.
Jay Carreiro, Candidate for FCS Vice President +
Dear Colleagues:
I’d like to take this final opportunity to ask for your vote for FCS Vice President. We’re facing significant headwinds as an organization and as a service. To weather this and to move us forward will require not just a strong commitment, but tried and tested experience. So, I also urge you to vote for members of the Diplomacy Matters slate led by current AFSA President, Tom Yazdgerdi. I agreed to join this excellent group not only because they’re the best choice for AFSA, but also for FCS.
As for me, you know my deep commitment to you and our organization. We’ve talked a lot these past few months. I’m ready to go to work for you again. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. My line is always open: jay.carreiro @ fastmail.com.
As always, you have my deepest thanks for your support.
Tedde Thompson, Candidate for Retiree Representative
America and the Foreign Service are under attack and our retirement rights, benefits and voice are under threat. If we don’t tell AFSA’s story then someone else will – and not necessarily the way we want it told.
Overseas, we tell America’s story to promote American interests and values. In America, we must tell AFSA’s story - who we are, what we do, and why it matters.
Retirees know how to make things happen and get things done. We provide expertise, institutional memory, and perspective when now these strengths are not seen as relevant “inside the Beltway.”
I joined the Foreign Service after successful careers in journalism and public affairs. As a PD officer, I served in India, Turkey, Mauritius and Seychelles and taught PD tradecraft at FSI and abroad. Now, I want to advocate for you and help tell AFSA’s story to protect, preserve, and defend what we have earned.
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