Message from the Secretary
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Diversity is one of America's greatest strengths. In representing the United States to the world we need a workforce that reflects and respects the rich composition of our nation. The knowledge, perspectives, ideas, and experiences of all Department of State employees are vital to the success of our global mission. Diversity brings innovation and creativity to the |
| workplace and demonstrates our commitment to inclusion
and respect for all people. Ensuring the diversity of the Department is a
moral and diplomatic imperative, and it requires every employee's adherence
to equal employment opportunity policies and objectives. This is a critical moment in our nation's history. With your support, we will work together to advance our mission of global diplomacy and ensure that the diversity of the country we serve is displayed proudly in the work of our Department. - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton | |
Affinity Groups
The U.S. Department of State encourages individualism in its workforce and offers several employee organizations to help strengthen and support our diversity.
U.S. Department of State - Employee Organizations
(The organizations listed below are in alphabetical order.)Asian American Foreign Affairs Association (AAFAA)
Carl T. Rowan (CTRBIG) and Foreign Affairs Chapter of Blacks In Government (FACBIG)
Disability Action Group (DAG)
Executive Women at State (EW@S)
Foggy Bottom Society
Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies
Hispanic Employees Council of Foreign Affairs
Presidential Management Fellows Advisory Council (PMFAC)
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs@State)
Thursday Luncheon Group
Young Professionals Society (YPro)
Asian American Foreign Affairs Association (AAFAA)
The 60+ member AAFAA is an association of foreign service, civil service and presidential management fellow employees of the State Department with the mission of active involvement in United States foreign affairs. The association seeks to represent, promote and highlight the interests of East, Southeast and South Asians and Pacific Islander employees within the State Department. AAFAA was originally known as the Asian Pacific American Foreign Affairs Council (APAFFAC), founded in 1981 to support the EEO mission of the foreign affairs agencies, particularly in improving recruitment, outreach, and professional development of Asian Pacific American officers. It has sponsored annual career fairs and other professional development programs.
If you have any questions regarding AAFAA please contact Mira Piplani at PiplaniM@state.gov or (202) 736-7828.
Carl T. Rowan (CTRBIG) and Foreign Affairs Chapter of Blacks In Government (FACBIG)
CTRBIG and FACBIG are part of the 200+ chapters nationwide, chartered by the national organization of Blacks in Government (BIG). Blacks In Government was organized in 1975 and is incorporated as a non-profit organization under the District of Columbia jurisdiction in 1976. BIG functions as an employee advocacy group, professional development organization, and community resource and networking vehicle. This volunteer organization is comprised of federal, state and local public servants in eleven (11) regions. The Department of State Foreign Affairs Chapter is in Region 11 (RXI), chartered in 1989 and recognized by Secretary of State George Shultz on April 24, 1989. The 140+ member chapter holds monthly meetings the third Wednesday of each month 12noon-1:00pm in Room 1408 of HST building.
If you have any questions regarding FACBIG please contact: Marlene Freeman, President, Foreign Affairs Chapter, Blacks in Government, www.bignet.org. For CTRBIG, please contact Caesar Jackson at JacksonCA1@state.gov.
Disability Action Group (DAG)
This recently established, 50+ member organization, serves to increase the recruitment, retention, and promotion of employees with disabilities at all grade levels throughout the State Department and to improve work life for current employees with disabilities.
If you have any questions regarding DAG please contact Paul Schafer at SchaferPP@state.gov or (202) 663-0223.
Executive Women at State (EW&S)
Initiated in 2007, and with 95 members, EW&S focuses on escalating the advancement of senior women at the State Department; mentoring younger women; advocating for issues of interest; and inspiring and uplifting women in the workforce.
If you have any questions regarding EW&S please contact Julie Connor at ConnorJG@state.gov or (202) 647-7184.
Foggy Bottom Society
The Foggy Bottom Society is a Department-recognized independent organization for Civil Service Foreign Affairs Professionals. The Foggy Bottom Society's principal missions are to enhance the effectiveness of the foreign affairs professionals in the civil service at the State Department, to protect the professional interests of its members, to ensure the maintenance of high professional standards, and to promote understanding of the critical role of the civil service foreign affairs professionals in promoting America's national security and economic prosperity.
Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies
GLIFAA is the officially-recognized organization representing the concerns of gay and lesbian personnel and their families in the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and other foreign affairs agencies and offices in the U.S. Government. Established in 1992, the 700-member organization seeks to challenge the continued barriers that gay and lesbian foreign service, civil service, and contract employees — and their families — encounter as a result of prejudice, misunderstanding, or apathy within U.S. federal foreign service-related institutions. Our diverse membership includes both gay and straight members, and GLIFAA welcomes the participation of all who believe in equal rights for sexual minorities.
Please visit www.glifaa.org, or if you have any questions, contact gliffa@yahoo.com or gliffa@state.gov.
Hispanic Employees Council of Foreign Affairs
The mission of HECFAA, an organization established over 20 years ago with more than 240 members, is to enhance awareness of the contributions of Hispanic employees to U.S. foreign affairs agencies; to assist in the recruitment, retention and promotion of Hispanics; and to develop the leadership abilities of Hispanics at U.S. foreign affairs agencies. HECFAA welcomes the participation and support of all U.S. foreign affairs agency employees.
If you any questions regarding HECFAA please contact Carmen Marrero at MarreroCM@state.gov or (202) 453-8623.
Presidential Management Fellow Advisory Council (PMFAC)
Established in 2008, and with over 200 members, this group supports the PMF program within the Department of State and USAID; promotes opportunities for current and former Fellows; and enhances the professional network of its members.
If you have any questions regarding PMFAC please contact PMFAdvisoryCouncil@state.gov.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers @ State (RPCVs@State)
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers @ State (RPCVs @ State) is an organization comprised primarily of former Peace Corps volunteers and staff. Founded in September 2008, RPCVs @ State now has over 350 members in Washington, DC and around the world. In a variety of ways, the organization provides opportunities for members to communicate, network, and interact more effectively to the benefit of both the Department and Peace Corps.
In addition to providing members with networking opportunities and social activities, the community organizes events that encourage RPCVs to consider careers at State. Both in Washington, DC and overseas, RPCVs @ State provides tangible, practical ways for members to connect with their Peace Corps roots.
If you have any questions regarding RPCVs @ State, please contact Erik J. Schnotala at SchnotalaEJ@state.gov.
Thursday Luncheon Group
TLG was founded in 1973 to increase the participation of African Americans and other minorities in the formulation, articulation and implementation of United States foreign policy. With 300 members, TLG emphasizes the mentoring of Foreign Service personnel. Public programs offer members the opportunity to interact with leaders in the foreign affairs community and prepare them for service in a rapidly changing world.
If you have any questions regarding TLG please contact Stacy Williams at WilliamsSD3@state.gov or (202) 647-5811.
Young Professionals Society (YPro)
YPro is an innovative networking organization for early career and mid-level employees at the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Our objectives are to facilitate the sharing of information about the work and activities of American diplomacy, provide a cohesive and representative voice on issues that concern our members, and link with other organizations both inside and outside the agency. Operating at the highest level of initiative, YPro is a self-directed peer network for connecting the dots, navigating unwritten rules, and growing leaders for public service. Launched in 2003, YPro receives no funding; membership is free and open to all direct hire employees of State and USAID, regardless of age, occupation or career track.
If you have any questions regarding YPro please contact YPro@state.gov.
