August 13, 2018
WACA Weekly
This Week: Announcing a New Council Benefit from Stratfor; Election-year Programming; Cover to Cover on Cuba; Qatar Tour; and Council Highlights


Stratfor Worldview :
Special subscription discount
for WACA Members!
Dear Council Leaders and Supporters:

It's a pleasure to share an exciting opportunity with you. As part of WACA's evolving partnership with Stratfor, the Austin, Texas-based company renowned for its geopolitical intelligence platform, we are pleased to offer a significantly discounted annual subscription to Stratfor Worldview for members of WACA and local Councils.

Your premium digital subscription includes:

  • Unlimited access to all Analyses, Articles, Guidances, and Snapshots
  • Custom Email Notifications
  • My Collections - your library of Stratfor Insights
  • Members-only Discussion Forums
  • Members-only Newsletters
  • Quarterly, Annual, and Decade Forecasts
  • Access to Mobile App for iOS and Android
  • Text-to-Voice feature to listen to Stratfor WorldView content when on the move

With Stratfor's special WACA discount, you will save 72% off the price of a one-year subscription. Enjoy the wealth of analytical and predictive insights for only $99 - the equivalent of just $1.90 per week!

To redeem this offer, visit Stratfor's World Affairs Councils of America Partnership Page.

And for members of WACA's 1918 Society, you will receive the subscription automatically, for free, as a benefit of your participation! (Hint: join the 1918 Society today!)

With best wishes,

Bill Clifford
WACA President and CEO
Council of the Month WAC Dallas/Forth Worth:
Striking Programming Balance in an Election Year
The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth is distinguishing itself by offering programs that feature key politicians while assiduously upholding one of the Council's core values: nonpartisanship.

With less than 100 days until midterm elections, two big Texas races are taking center stage. The 32nd Congressional District is one of the most-watched House races in the country, featuring longtime Republican incumbent Pete Sessions, who chairs the powerful House Rules Committee, and Obama-endorsed first-time candidate Colin Allred. Inside Elections now rates this race a toss-up. The Senate race has also intensified, as recent polls show Senator Ted Cruz with just a slight lead ahead of Texas 16th Congressional District Representative and Democratic candidate, Beto O’Rourke.

Recently, Allred joined the Council for a discussion; Sessions, Beto, and Cruz have been confirmed for engagements pending availability in their calendars. WACDFW also plans to invite all 2020 Presidential candidates to speak. According to its most recent survey, this open forum approach to programming has served the Council well as members see the organization as politically neutral and unbiased. Read more about WACDFW's programming here.
Wednesday, August 22, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET

Cover to Cover with Vicki Huddleston on Cuba

Peeling back the "Sugar Curtain" to examine several decades of stormy relations between the U.S. and Cuba,  Vicki Huddleston , the top diplomat in Havana under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, provides an essential memoir. Huddleston also peers into the future, when for the first time in more than six decades no one named Castro will be Cuba's leader.

Register for the conference call  Wednesday, Aug 22, at 2-2:30 pm ET .

Coming up in September...

Cover to Cover will feature a conversation with  C.J. Chivers, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for the  New York Times, on his new book,  The Fighters: Americans in Combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.
WACA 2018 Leadership Mission to Qatar
October 12-19
Doha, Qatar
We are pleased to have received several quality applications already. Please be sure to review the announcement below and submit your application to  lbrailsford@worldaffairscouncils.org  by
Monday, August 24, 2018 .
The World Affairs Councils of America is delighted to announce that the  Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, DC  will sponsor a WACA Leadership Mission to Qatar, this October.

Note : Flights will depart from United States airports on Friday, October 12 , and arrive in Doha on Saturday, October 13. Return flights will depart Qatar on Friday, October 19.

This WACA Leadership Mission will be comprised of a Qatar Embassy representative, WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford, and a minimum of 10 delegates from the Council network . Participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with top government officials, business leaders, journalists, and other experts to gain a better understanding of the political, national security, economic, social, and cultural landscape of the host country. See more details.

Eligibility

This Leadership Mission is open to Council CEOs, Board directors and other key supporters of local Councils and the WACA network, and affiliate members based in DC. Applicants should be actively involved in Council operations and activities, and must be supported by their Councils.

Expenses

The generous sponsorship of the Embassy of Qatar will cover international airfare and in-country expenses for the delegation, including hotel accommodation, most meals, and local transportation. An  administrative fee of $2000 , made payable to the World Affairs Councils of America, is required from each selected participant. Delegates are responsible for making any travel insurance arrangements at their discretion. Delegates are also responsible for any souvenirs and incidentals.

Selection Process

Applicants should review this announcement , understand expectations, and submit the following to the WACA National Office by email to  lbrailsford@worldaffairscouncils.org  by the  close of business on Monday, August 24, 2018 :

  • Application Form (Download Here) and Release of Liability Form (Download Here) 
  • A color copy of the photo page of your passport
  • A letter of reference from your local Council CEO. If you are a Council CEO, please submit a letter of reference from the Chair of your Board of Directors

Delegates will be selected based on their demonstrated involvement with their local Councils and WACA, as well as their commitment to public engagement following the WACA Leadership Mission. 
WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

November 7-9
The Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
Our Table of Eight promotion has been extended - be sure to check it out!
Think Tank six-pack
Brookings Institution
Thomas Wright is director of the  Center on the United States and Europe  and a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy at Brookings .
Center for Strategic and International Studies
The principals of The Trade Guys, CSIS’s recently launched podcast, will offer a special briefing for a live WACA audience at CSIS headquarters.

PLUS:
The McCain Institute New this year!
Additional National Conference speakers and program details will be made in the coming weeks!

The WACA 2018 National Conference will be held November 7-9 at the beautifully renovated
Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. 

Book your rooms under WACA's special group rate of 
$259 / night (Single/Double Occupancy) plus tax.

Vermont CWA in Burlington is Hiring!
Global Careers for Women
Global Careers is hosting an online career fair exclusively for women who have 7+ years of relevant job experience.

The campaign will feature job opportunities, editorial, interviews, and webinars from diverse international organizations to engage with staff on October 4, 2018 .
Council Highlights
Tuesday 8/14

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosts Tarana Burke , Founder of the ‘Me Too’ movement, for “A Conversation with Tarana Burke.” Details

Wednesday 8/15

Global Minnesota hosts Jon Olson, retired U.S. Navy Commander, for “Global Conversations: U.S. Global Engagement and the Military.” Details

World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky hosts Al Tuchfarber , Professor Emeritus of Political Science of the University of Cincinnati, and Patrick Haney , Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Science at Miami University in Oxford, for “What is U.S. Foreign Policy Today? Is There a Trump Doctrine?” Details

Thursday 8/16

Alaska World Affairs Council hosts a panel of experts for “Ice Race: Who Will Be Active in the Changing Arctic Landscape | A Distinguished Panel Discussion.” Details

Global Ties Arizona hosts Mohamed Ahmed , recipient of the 2018 Citizen Diplomat of the Year Award, for “Anything but Average.” Details

Friday 8/17

Alaska World Affairs Council hosts Karin von Hippel , Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, for “The Evolution of ISIL.” Details
Travel the World with WAC Philadelphia
Travel with  Council Leaders - hear them lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia!
2018 travel schedule includes trips to: 

  • Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Himalayan Kingdoms, Sept. 11-25
  • Dixie Anderson, Executive Director Emerita, World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, Romance of the Douro River: Sept. 15-26
  • Joyce Davis, President, World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, Town & Country Life in Languedoc: Oct. 6-14
  • Don Samford, Board President, Peoria Area World Affairs Council, Cuba: Nov. 4-12
  • Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, South East Asia: Jan. 29 - Feb. 11, 2019
  • Mimi Gregory, Vice President of Programs, Naples Council on World Affairs, Grand Seine: June 30 - July 18, 2019
  • Dr. Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President of Programs, World Affairs, Northern California, Arctic Expedition: June 21 - July 1, 2019
  • Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon, Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia: Oct. 13-21, 2019

Contact  www.wacphila.org/travel  or call  1-800-942-5004 , ext.  209  or  217 .
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