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UAA Bulletin Board

 

The UAA Bulletin Board is the town square of the Association which provides recent information of interest and importance to Alumni.  We encourage local members and those outside the D.C. area to provide us with the development-related articles or items published in local news media, development organization statements, and other relevant sources.  

You can submit items for posting by sending them to “office@usaidalumni.org, subject: UAA Bulletin Board”.  The articles will be posted as titles that, when clicked on, will pop up on the reader’s website page.  

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Global Rhythms: 

Celebrating Global Partnerships to Build a Better World

February 22- March 10, 2026

Glenview Mansion Art Gallery

603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville Civic Center, Rockville, Maryland
 A Partnership between former USAID employees, the City of Rockville and AQUITY Global Inc 

Key Dates

 Exhibition Dates: February 22 – March 20, 2026
 Submit digital images of your artwork: January 31, 2026
 Delivery of Artwork at Glenview Mansion: February 17, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
 “Meet the Artists” Opening Reception: February 22, 2026, 1:30-3:30pm
 Pick Up of Artwork: March 23, 2026, 10:00am-1:00pm

“Global Rhythms: Celebrating Global Partnerships to Build a Better World” is a multi-media exhibition that speaks to the foundational elements of humanity that transcend cultural and geographical borders.  Our paintings, photographs, and poems depict the global experiences of the curious traveler, the migrant, the immigrant, the diplomat, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) expert to weave a story of uplifting cultural and social connections that are embedded in the vibrant fabric of America.  It tells the story of global and local partnerships that have supported actions to build a better world; it chronicles the work of Americans who have promoted peace, saved lives, tackled hunger, supported sustainable environment, facilitated democratic
principles, and celebrated the kaleidoscope of diverse cultures with passion and
compassion.

Former USAID employees are pleased to host “Global Rhythms: Celebrating Global Partnerships to Build a Better World”” in collaboration with the City of Rockville and AQUITY Global Inc. (AGI) in celebration of 64 years of USAID’s global partnerships and service.

This is an exhibition and sale of about 120 artworks (includes paintings, photos, poems, and cultural artifacts). The show will be located on the second floor of the gracious Glenview Mansion Art Gallery, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville Civic Center, Rockville, Maryland.

Questions: Email Show Managers, Lily Kak at lilypkak@gmail.com; Mihira Karra
at mvkarra24@gmail.com; and Clinton White at clintondavidwhite@gmail.com

Inscribed Awards — Update

Please check the list and help us locate awardees

As we posted earlier, UAA members and USAID staff worked together to rescue some 175 inscribed plaques, awards, and certificates, including Length of Service, FSN or the Year, Civ-Mil Cooperation, Distinguished Career Service, and a series of named awards from the RRB last summer.  We compiled a list of awardees and asked that you review the list to help us reach-out to the awardees so we could unite them with their awards.
Many responded and we started to think about how to get the awards to the awardees Just before Christmas, we learned that two officers will remain employed by USAID for several more weeks, that they wondered if we had found any awards in the rescued materials, and that they might be able to help mail the awards. We returned the awards to the USAID officers and will continue to work with them to find addresses for the awardees.
The two remaining USAID officers are Myra Emma Stokes and Chris Thomson who can be reached at mestokes@usaid.gov, chrthompson@usaid.gov or through foundawards@gmail.com. Please contact these three addresses if you have any questions or can provide contact or address information for the awardees. Click here to see the list of awardees.
Thank you for your assistance!

Statements from UAA about Current Events

Other Posts of Interest

Unless otherwise stated, the links below are for information purposes only and do not convey the endorsement of the UAA, its members, or its Board.  Click underlined text for more information. 

1st Quarter, 2026

  • Shawn Dorman, editor in chief of the Foreign Service Journal, invites former USAID staff to submit articles regarding programs developed and implemented by USAID staff, PSCs, NGOs and our contractors.  The most compelling submissions would probably emphasize the value to U.S. security (military and health) and economic development.  If you worked on a project that deserves the attention of a broader audience, please send a brief concept of your proposed article to Shawn Dorman <dorman@afsa.org>  (posted 9 Jan 2026)
  • Tune in online on January 7 at 9:30 a.m. ET to watch the US State Department’s Jeremy Lewin and a panel of experts discuss the United States’ evolving approach to foreign assistance and humanitarian engagement globally.  From the Atlantic Council.   Click here to register

4th Quarter, 2025

3rd Quarter, 2025

2nd Quarter, 2025

Stand Up for Aid Situation Reports

Updates from OneUSAID Community

Other Posts

1st Quarter, 2025

Stand Up for Aid Situation Reports

Updates from OneUSAID Community

Other Posts

Monday, March 24th, at 9 a.m. EST (afternoon in Africa) for a forum on African views of President Trump. Online only, for the link, RSVP at  https://annenberg.usc.edu/events/cclp/africa-us-forum-president-donald-trumps-100-days-office-views-africa  (and yes, our African partners did  not want to wait until the 100 days had passed)
Monday, March 31, 9 am EST (afternoon in Africa): The Future of Africa-U.S. Health Diplomacy: African public perceptions and responses to the US presidential actions. In person and on line.
To attend in person in Washington DC, please email Judy Kang at junghwak@usc.edu (seating is limited, RSVPs are essential)

2024 Posts

4th Quarter

3rd Quarter

  • Join the Fight for Democracy Regardless of party affiliation: National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) is a bipartisan, all-volunteer organization established to counter growing threats to our democratic institutions, norms, and processes.  We advocate for positions, values, and individuals that strengthen the United States as a democratic nation.  See https://www.nsl4a.org/
  • USAID alumni are invited to join USC in person or online on Monday, August 26, 9 to 11 a.m. EDT (afternoon in Africa), on Intergenerational Solidarity and African Health Systems at the USC Washington DC campus, 1771 N Street NW.  Click here for details and how to RSVP. 
  • On Friday, August 9, at 11 a.m., a memorial service will be held for Roger Allen Bloom at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8009 Ft. Hunt Rd., Alexandria, VA.
  • On Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 12 p.m., funeral services will be held for Norman Cohen at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, where he was a founding member.  Internment will follow at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney.
  • On Thursday, July 25, 2024, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and USAID are pleased to invite you to “Development Is Digital: Harnessing Technology’s Potential for a Better World,” the launch event for USAID’s Digital Policy.  USAID Administrator Samantha Power will deliver a keynote address on why technology is perhaps the single most decisive force shaping global development today.  Click here for more details and to register. 
  • On Sept. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. a celebration of the life of Ambassador Dean Pittman will be held at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St NW, Washington, DC.  To RSVP (required for entry, please do so by August 15) and find more details, click on this link:  RSVP for Dean’s Celebration of Life.  
  • On Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. a memorial service will be held at Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, SC, for Judith “Judy” Davis Johnson, who passed away on June 11, 2024.
  • On Monday, July 8, at 12 noon EDT, a forum with Dan Kimmage, Principal Deputy Coordinator, U.S. State Department Global Engagement Center, will be part of the First Monday public diplomacy lunch forums, presented in partnership with the Public Diplomacy Council of America and the George Washington University Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication at the USC Washington DC campus, 1771 N Street NW.   All USAID alumni are invited to join us, in person or by zoom.  Details and RSVP:  https://publicdiplomacy.org/news_manager.php?page=36118

2nd Quarter

  • On Monday, June 24, at 9 a.m. EDT, at the USC Washington DC campus, 1771 N Street NW, the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, University of Southern California, and others, will hear from African experts about what the next 30 years of the ICPD means for Africa, regional priorities for the future of reproductive and sexual health, and what emerged from the 57th Commission on Population and Development.  Click here for details and to RSVP.  
  • On Monday, June 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM a reception in memory of Elizabeth Schoenecker will be held at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20016. The funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in Georgetown, 3513 N Street NW Washington, DC 20007, starting at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
  • To see the Foreign Service Centennial Video click here, May 24, 2024
  • The U.S. Foreign Service celebrated its 100th year anniversary on May 24, 2024.  The gala on Tuesday, May 21st was livestreamed on State’s website and YouTube channels. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, CIA Director Bill Burns, and USAID’s Counsellor Clinton White were the main speakers. Here are the links for the livestream from the gala where you are able to watch the remarks of all the speakers:  Department homepage and YouTube Channel.  In honor of the Anniversary, AFSA has provided an excellent set of talking points should you have the opportunity to spread the word in your community. Just click here.
  • USAID has released a new Mandatory Reference to Automated Directives System (ADS) Chapter 530, Emergency Planning Overseas. The Mandatory Reference, Standard Operating Procedures for Emergency and Crisis Management for Non-American Staff and Locally Contracted Personnel (“the Playbook”) describes the available actions that Mission can take to support FSNs in the event of a crisis or emergency situation.  See note from USAID Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen, August 21, 2023, by clicking here.

1st Quarter

 

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