July, 2016
President's Letter
Council of the Month
2016 WACA National Conference
AFSA Speakers Bureau
Cover to Cover
Best Practices Call
EU in the U.S.
APSIA Virtual Graduate Fair
World Affairs Councils in the News
Travel the World
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President's Letter

Dear Council Leaders, Friends, and Supporters:

I hope that you and your loved ones enjoyed a festive Fourth of July weekend. Before the holiday, at a productive WACA Board meeting at WAC Western Michigan, in Grand Rapids, the FY2017 Executive Committee of the Board was approved: 

Ambassador Roman Popadiuk, WACA Chairman
Karen de Bartolomé, Vice Chair (Executive Director, WorldDenver)
Alex Lari, Vice Chair (Chairman, The Claremont Group)
Nigel Sutton, Treasurer (Vice President, International Defense Systems, Orbital ATK)
Dr. Richard Crepage, Secretary (Board Member, WAC of Northwest Ohio)
Bill Clifford, WACA President and CEO (ex officio)
Dr. Neal Goins, At-Large (Director, International Government Relations, Exxon Mobil)
Noel Lateef, At-Large (President, Foreign Policy Association)
Stephen J. Petras, Jr., At-Large (Board Member, Cleveland Council on World Affairs)
Nancy Hamlin, Governance Committee Chair (Past President, WAC of Rochester, NY)
Jay L. Bruns, Interim Development Committee Chair (Board President, WAC of Connecticut)

It's a privilege to work with these dedicated leaders, and indeed all the members of our talented, diverse, and engaged National Board.

Next week, we will present the registration website for our 2016 National Conference, America and Global Megatrends, which will take place in our nation's capital one week after the U.S. election in November. From the rise of populism to terrorism's global reach, the question of America's vision and role in the world has never been more germane.

I am thrilled that some of you have already made hotel reservations at The Capital Hilton. As our agenda fills - Amb. Barbara Stephenson has just confirmed that she will keynote the Leadership Day luncheon - be sure to share conference details (below) with your Council members. The WACA Board and National Office staff will do everything possible to make this a most worthwhile event for you!

Yours,

Bill Clifford
President and CEO
Council of the Month

To inaugurate our "Council of the Month" feature, we are pleased to recognize a trio this July. 

For their generosity in making extra contributions to the Academic WorldQuest Endowment Fund (along with their annual membership dues), we are grateful to the World Affairs Council of Southeast Connecticut, the World Affairs Council of Las Vegas, and the World Affairs Council of South Texas.

As WACA works toward achieving the AWQ Endowment Fund campaign goal of $1 milllion, the gifts of these smaller Councils loom very large. Thank you!!!

Councils and friends, be sure to submit your August nominee for Council of the Month to Lian Esehaki at [email protected].
2016 WACA National Conference  


America and Global Megatrends

 
November 16-18, 2016

Washington, DC


LEADERSHIP DAY Keynote Speaker: 

Ambassador Barbara Stephenson  is a 
thirty-year veteran of the American Foreign Service, and President of the American Foreign Service Association  ( full bio).

Stay tuned for more announcements!


Book your room at our special Group Rate now! 

Staying at The Capitol Hilton
We have secured a special group rate:
  • Queen/King bed Deluxe Room: $279/night (Single/Double occupancy) plus tax
  • Queen/King/Double bed Executive Floor: $349/night (Single/Double Occupancy) plus tax


This distinguished hotel is  located in the heart of our nation's capital - just two blocks from the White House. Convenient to three Metro stations and Ronald Reagan National Airport, the hotel is within walking distance of museums and memorials, theaters and art galleries, shopping, dining, nightlife, and more. 

Further announcements on National Conference speakers, and other program details will be made in the coming weeks.
AFSA Speakers Bureau 

The  American Foreign Service Association, the professional association of the U.S. Foreign Service, is pleased to offer a speaker placement service, free of charge, to local World Affairs Councils interested in hosting active-duty or retired members of the Foreign Service. AFSA has members in every state, and has recently provided speakers in Alaska and Ohio.

If you are interested in requesting a speaker through AFSA's Speakers Bureau, please fill out the online form at www.afsa.org/request-speaker. The association will then provide contact information for Foreign Service speakers who reside in your area.
Cover to Cover Author Series 


July's Cover to Cover will feature author Jennifer M. Harris on her new book War by Other Means: Geoeconomics and Statecraft  on Wednesday, July 13, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET





Jennifer M. Harris is a  senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Previously she served as the  lead architect of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Economic Statecraft agenda (full bio). 



COUNCIL LEADERS: Please share this opportunity with your members and supporters as a free benefit! Contact the WACA office if you are interested in hosting Cover to Cover authors at your Council. 
Best Practices Call: Peace Day Challenge 

International Day of Peace  is Sept. 21 

The WACA National Office is once again pleased to host a conference call with the United States Institute of Peace to encourage and help Councils to raise awareness of Peace Day itself, and to access resources that will enable you to work with communities and schools on peace themes in an ongoing way. 

Please join this special call with Ann-Louise Colgan , Director of the Global Peacebuilding Center at the USIP,  and Joyce Davis , President & CEO of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, to learn about how you and your Council can get involved in the #PeaceDayChallenge by promoting Peace Day activities in your local communities and schools.

The call will be held on 
Wednesday, July 27, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET
 
EU in the U.S. Program Series

EU in the U.S. 2016 is a grant-funded program administered by WACA in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. Its goal is to raise awareness, knowledge, and understanding about EU policies, the EU's role as an international actor, and the value of the EU-U.S. relationship.

July 21: World Affairs Council of Orange County will host the consul generals of: Romania - Eugen Chivu, Poland - Mariusz Brymora, and Germany - Hans Jörg Neumann, to discuss the current situation in Europe, referring to issues such as Brexit, the refugee crisis, TTIP, and the conflict in Ukraine.
APSIA VIRTUAL GRADUATE SCHOOL FAIR

Find the Right Program  in 
International Affairs and Public Policy

July 21, 2016
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (EDT)

Thinking about Grad School? Searching for an international career in the private, public, or non-governmental sector?  Whether you've just started your search or have a shortlist in mind, representatives of APSIA's top international affairs and public policy graduate schools can help you navigate the admissions process.

Register today and answer your questions about:
  • application requirements
  • curricula and joint degrees
  • financial aid
  • career opportunities
Explore what you can do with an APSIA Degree! 

APSIA schools share the same passions you have for international issues, advocating for effective public policies, solving global challenges, and more. Register here .

Councils please share this opportunity with your Young Professionals! 
World Affairs Councils In the News

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia


World Affairs Council of Seattle
How Boeing Could Benefit from Iran Nuclear Deal -- The Seattle Times

World Affairs Council of Northern California
A New Narrative for Afghanistan -- The Asia Foundation

World Affairs Council of Tacoma

World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
Travel the World from WAC Philadelphia
Just Announced:  Council Leaders to Lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia!
 

Ambassador Heather Hodges , President & Ambassador-in-Residence, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Across Spain and Portugal: September 6 - 22, 2016.
Kay Maxwell , Executive Director, World Affairs Forum, Stamford Journey through VietnamOctober 3 - 18, 2016.
Mimi Gregory, Vice President and Program Chairman, Naples Council on World Affairs, Cruising the Rivieras & Islands of France, Spain and Italy October 5 - 13, 2016.
Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson, former Board President, World Affairs Council of Arizona, Island Life in Cuba: October 23 - 31, 2016.
Dr. Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President of Programs, World Affairs Councils of Northern California, Tanzania: October 29 - November 8, 2016 
Craig Snyder , President and CEO, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Inside Oman, UAE and QatarNovember 2 - 16, 2016.
 
Contact  www.wacphila.org/travel or call 1-800-942-5004 x209 or x217.

The World Affairs Councils of America 

1200 18th St., NW, Suite 902, Washington, DC 20036

Phone (202) 833-4557  Fax (202) 833-4555

Email [email protected] Website www.worldaffairscouncils.org