There is still time to register to vote in your last place of residence in the USA, but NOW is the time to send in your FPCA (Federal Post Card Application) for an absentee ballot. To obtain the card and/or get help in filling it out, contact any American consular office, local chapters of Democrats Abroad or Republicans Abroad, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, (see www.fvap.gov or e-mail them: vote@fvap.ncr.gov for the toll-free number to call from your country of residence), or ACA (acage@aca.ch).

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World-renowned writer Salman Rushdie revealed end-August that he would participate in a State Dept. conference on anti-Americanism to be held in early September. In the State Dept. press briefing of 28 August 2002 (accessible via www.state.gov), it was revealed that the State Dept.'s Bureau of Intelligence and Research has had several conferences related to the phenomenon of anti-Americanism, at unrevealed dates, with unrevealed attendees speaking "off the record". To ACA's knowledge, overseas Americans have not been invited to participate in any of these meetings.

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All-too-familiar misperceptions of overseas Americans arise, like many other forms of prejudice, from ignorance. Americans residing abroad strive to help each other, and people in their countries of residence. We, the worldwide community of Americans outside the USA, need to chronicle our positive acts:

EUGENE ABRAMS AWARD

ACA's annual award to highlight exceptional volunteer efforts of overseas Americans to aid others. Each qualified nominee receives an honorable mention certificate from ACA. The winner will also be mentioned in the press and in ACA hard copy and electronic newsletters. Send to ACA (5 rue Liotard, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland) letter(s) of nomination describing the individual's efforts, accompanied by biographical info and if possible a photo of the person involved in the activities mentioned. DEADLINE: 30 December 2002.

ACA's THOMAS JEFFERSON AWARD

given each year for outstanding service to Americans abroad by a State Department employee. A fine way to draw attention to Foreign Service or other State Dept. employees who have gone out of their way to make a difference in the lives of overseas citizens. Winner receives a plaque and has her/his name engraved on a plaque that is displayed in the State Department, Washington. Other nominations are shared with the State Dept. and entered on the employees' records. DEADLINE: 15 March 2003.

ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS

Private Americans residing abroad have opportunities to witness changes and historical events at ground level; their "insider-outsider" perspectives are valuable for subsequent appreciation of any given era. Why not keep written or oral recordings of Americans who have witnessed historical evolution/events in your country of residence? See the article in ACA's upcoming hard copy News Report. (Our financial restrictions dictate that the News Report be sent only to members and a restricted list of groups. Why not join now? -- you can pay online -- and ask to receive the News Report now in press.

PAST AMERICANS WHO MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Previous generations of Americans abroad have also made remarkable (and sometimes surprising!) contributions to their host countries. Share with ACA stories of Americans based in your region who brought about change for the better.

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NEWS UPDATE EDITORS
ACA is seeking new blood to supplement its News Update staff. Work involves actually writing the News Update 2 - 3 times a year, under supervision of a Senior Editor, and monitoring raw material considered for the newsletter on a regular basis. Calls for e-mail access and an ability to write/edit succinctly and against a deadline. ACA takes pride in the global spread of its editors.

BOOK REVIEWS/REVIEWERS
ACA is interested in learning of books of particular interest to Americans abroad. It also seeks individuals willing to review such books. Reviewers get to keep the book, and to see their contribution in print. Contact ACA office (acage@aca.ch).

By the way, have you checked the book review section on this website? And did you know that by accessing amazon.com via a link on this ACA web site, and then browsing and purchasing as normal, ACA receives -- at no cost to you -- a small percentage on the purchases you make. Check this ACA website + make a painless contribution: it makes $&sense!

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