American Citizens Abroad — ACA — The voice of Americans overseas

2009-04-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Mission: Founded in 1978, ACA (www.aca.ch) is a non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer association whose mission is to defend the rights of Americans living overseas.

ACA is dedicated to:

· Providing assistance and information to private US citizens living and working outside of the United States

· Representing their interests before the US Congress, Administration, the press and all US citizens living at home.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ACA has a worldwide membership base and a global network of country contacts. The association draws on more than three decades of rich experience and knowledge of laws affecting private Americans living overseas.

Why is ACA is needed? Unlike some other countries, the United States government does not have any formalized, supportive relationship with its citizens living abroad. Americans living overseas have no direct representation in Congress. No effective mechanism is in place to bring to the attention of Congress the issues affecting the daily lives of Americans overseas. Americans living overseas are affected negatively by a variety of US laws and regulations, yet no governmental agency is responsible for informing Americans abroad of legislative and regulatory developments affecting them ACA aims to fill this void.

What are key issues of concern for overseas Americans? A non-exhaustive list of issues of particular concern to Americans abroad includes:

· Voting – absentee procedures & voters’ rights

· Citizenship – transmission of US citizenship to children born abroad

· Taxation – citizenship-based taxation, excluded income under Section 911

· Social Security – elimination of the WEP penalty

· Medicare – redress non-coverage of eligible persons living abroad

· Representation – non-voting Delegate(s) in Congress to represent Americans abroad

How and what does ACA communicate? ACA’s most powerful tool for communication is its website (www.aca.ch), which houses a wealth of in-depth research, position papers, documentation and linkss. In addition, its regular e-News Update is circulated to thousands of individuals and groups worldwide, and the annual News Report is transmitted electronically. Both of these communications can also be found on the website. Press releases and news flashes are issued on an as-needed basis. And hundreds upon hundreds of inquiries are answered via email.

ACA’s structure encourages global input:

· Country contacts: 50+ active individuals widen ACA’s reach by representing the organization in the countries where they live.

· Board of Directors: 35 people from all over the world provide ideas, guidance and support. In addition, Country Contacts are ex-officio members of this Board.

· Executive Committee: 15 Board members are also on the Executive Committee, which determines policy and works with our paid part-time office manager to run day-to-day operations.

· Executive Director: Heading ACA is its annually-elected Executive Director.

Primary ACA activities center on informing Americans overseas regarding their rights and obligations, following legislative and regulatory developments and liaising with the press on Americans abroad issues. Our goals are to improve the image of Americans overseas, to educate the public and the US Administration on overseas Americans issues, and to propose and support legislation in the interest of Americans abroad.

How does ACA work to influence decision-makers in Washington? ACA maintains liaison with Congressional and Administration offices, in particular with members of the Americans Abroad Caucus. With other collaborating groups serving overseas Americans, it participates in the annual Overseas Americans Week in Washington to discuss issues with representatives and staffers. When critical legislation important to interests of overseas Americans is being considered, ACA organizes write-in campaigns to ensure that Congresspersons hear from overseas voters registered in their home districts on the given issue. In addition, ACA keeps its wide range of Washington and press contacts updated on overseas Americans issues.

Does ACA collaborate with other groups? ACA collaborates on a regular basis with:

· OVF - Overseas Vote Foundation (Strategic Alliance Program member)

· MECACC – Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce

· AARO – Association of Americans Resident Overseas

· FAWCO – Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas

· ALLAMO – Alliance of American Organizations Iberia

· The Americans Abroad Caucus in Congress

· ACA is an advisory partner of the Overseas Vote Foundation and works closely with the Pew Foundation’s “Make Voting Work” project in Washington DC

ACA believes in long-term commitment. ACA believes in its mission to serve all US citizens living abroad. It knows that changing legislation in Washington is a long-term commitment requiring unending effort, patience and creativity. ACA will persevere in representing the voice of overseas Americans and regularly integrates younger members to its Board to ensure continuity.

ACA needs your help and support so we can continue to work on behalf of all Americans. Contact us directly or through your local Country Contact.

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