Annual Report FY22

To welcome, support and advocate on behalf of WBG families worldwide

ANNUAL REPORT

welcome support advocate

Sara Jaffrey President

Ashik Rahman President Operations

Highlights of the year

We are thrilled to announce that this year World Bank Group Family Network celebrates its 50 years anniversary A journey for which we are immensely proud of advocating and supporting our community through thick and thin. The seed was sown back in June 1972 when the organization called WIVES (Women’s Information and Volunteer Services), was officially recognized, and provided with an office by the then WBG President, Mr. Robert McNamara From then on, the organization continued to charge forward expanding its reach and building strong partners within the World Bank Group and beyond Today we are proud to be across 55 countries with more than 7000 strong members. We would also like to thank our numerous volunteers who go beyond their call of duty towards making WBGFN a success. They work tirelessly showing incredible team spirit and devotion We are fortunate to have such an incredible team of people both at HQ and Worldwide working as pillars of strength

The Family Network is constantly striving to further broaden our reach and offer not just support but solutions for some of the trials and challenges our families are being faced with COVID taught us resilience and adaptability, but we continue to strengthen our bonds with our members and beyond The impact of Covid lockdown was felt globally and our families, equally, not spared by the pandemic We were able to adapt and formulated collaborative partnership within WBG departments and beyond to guide and equip our members with extensive coping tools Our outreach program was further enhanced with the adoption of a strong virtual platform consequently bridging the gap in bringing value to the need-based programs at both HQ and Worldwide –hence the setup of decentralization process

This is a year to celebrate and acknowledge everyone who has in their own capacity made contributions in the past 50 years, both at HQ and Worldwide in making our community stronger and pivot towards excellence Some highlights in a nutshell:

• We navigated around global emergencies especially for the displaced Afghan and families from Ukraine. Along with WGB units, the Family Network was able to provide quick support by forming strong buddy systems to link stationed families with those displaced working in conjunction to offer on ground peer support.

• At HQ spouses/partner were faced with extensive delays in receiving their EAC from the State Department. The scenario caused stress and loss of multiple jobs amongst our community. We pursued the matter with HRD with follow up meetings and communicated the findings with our members.

• We have been welcoming more and more men in our membership over the years and it was only natural that we developed a series of informational workshop especially designed for them A virtual four-part series of monthly informational workshops ‘Real Talk, Real Bonds’ targeted towards the men in our Family Network

• With the onset of the pandemic lockdown, we revised our Welcoming Information Session (WIS) and moved it online offering the WIS to not only those at HQ but also to families yet to formally move to HQ, hence making the information pertained to their move more extensively available

• In collaboration with Staff Association, we developed the ‘Parenting Now’ website One-stop shop for WBG parents around the world, who are looking for resources and to exchange information, which will help them to navigate the stressful parenting landscape in a world affected by the global pandemic The resources focused on childcare, mental health, wellbeing, recreational, education/tutoring and much more

• Rebuilding Dreams, an ongoing peer support group set up by WBGFN for the WBG families supporting recovery after pregnancy and infant loss An opportunity for the grieving families to connect and share their experience in a confidential online setting.

• WBGFN website was updated with fresh and up to date content materials including videos, worldwide information, and fresh pages.

• HQ office was moved to MC which aids in enhancing visibility.

• Increased the number of clinicians in HSD to offer better support to our families.

• In collaboration with HR, the Family Network offered a series of webinars Parent Empowerment Lab to better equip members including the staff providing them with essential coping tools during lockdown.

• Monthly planning and delivery of 50th Anniversary celebration events for our members with interesting virtual celebrative activities and competitions are well underway.

• In collaboration with Staff Association, we developed the ‘Parenting Now’ website. One-stop shop for WBG parents around the world, who are looking for resources and to exchange information, which will help them to navigate the stressful parenting landscape in a world affected by the global pandemic. The resources focused on childcare, mental health, wellbeing, recreational, education/tutoring and much more

• Rebuilding Dreams, an ongoing peer support group set up by WBGFN for the WBG families supporting recovery after pregnancy and infant loss. An opportunity for the grieving families to connect and share their experience in a confidential online setting.

• WBGFN website was updated with fresh and up to date content materials including videos, worldwide information, and fresh pages.

• HQ office was moved to MC which aids in enhancing visibility.

• Increased the number of clinicians in HSD to offer better support to our families

• In collaboration with HR, the Family Network offered a series of webinars Parent Empowerment Lab to better equip members including the staff providing them with essential coping tools during lockdown

• Monthly planning and delivery of 50th Anniversary celebration events for our members with interesting virtual celebrative activities and competitions are well underway

In closing one feels that it’s imperative to mention that these and a lot many accomplishments were made at the Family Network with limited resources Here our heartfelt gratitude to Paul, Mimi and Cat who have stood the test of time and have been instrumental towards the effectiveness of our organization

Sara Jaffrey

Ashik Rahman

As we reflect on our achievements for FY22, it is imperative to continue with the same vision of the preceding fiscal year. Before doing so we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ashik for is undeterred support towards the Family Network as President Operations. He has been a pinnacle of strength and support in so many ways. As he advances towards other prospects, we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

The pandemic brought along unforgiving scenarios but what it also opened were potential new pathways for our community.

We were able to bridge the gaps between Worldwide and HQ and strengthened our decentralization process. It opened the window to the virtual World, which we embraced and wholeheartedly adopted to make sure our visibility and relevance towards our membership remained strong and intact. With the relocation of our HQ office to MC and the Bank lifting the Covid restrictions we anticipate more and more in person interactions with our members once again.

Our vision for FY23 will mirror that of the previous year and we aim to continue to advocate for and empower our global families. A few focal points we intend to keep in mind as we progress:

• Further strengthen the decentralization process across the Country Offices and HQ.

• Build a stronger hybrid model for member engagement.

• Renew opportunities for our volunteers. With the onset of pandemic lockdown like others our organization was faced with the dilemma of diminishing volunteer engagement. We aim to focus on building on and providing new opportunities for our volunteers to be increasingly involved.

• Revisit organizing principles to assure that the WBGFN business model supports its members’, staff and volunteers’ engagement experiences that are culturally and demographically current.

• Explore innovative partnerships and collaboration with other organizations that would enhance the Family Network community, and delivery of its mission.

• Focus on mental wellbeing-based seminars, information sessions for our members, providing them with adequate tools to help equip them towards navigating around current challenges.

No organization especially such as ours can thrive, progress, and truly make a difference without celebrating the richness of our vast Family Network community. A heartfelt gratitude to our team of volunteers for your continued support and selfless

Sara Jaffrey, President

Mary Summers, President Operations

Sara Jaffrey

Mary Summers

For the members by the members

Members: 7924

New members: 617

Identify & Recommend

Identify challenges and advocate with Senior Management

• Clarifying work authorization and Visa process in US and Worldwide with improved communication with members on multiple platforms (including WhatsApp interactive groups)

• Raising awareness about family issues with Regional VPs and Directors

Identify advocacy opportunities with the Bank Staff Association

Identify and recommend improvement and collaboration areas with Global Mobility

Continued Support for Covid crisis

• Family Consultation Service (FCS) = +65%

Family Well-being

• Ukraine Family Therapist for relocating spouses and children

• Rebuilding Dreams Seminars and Working Group

• Buddy system for better supporting displaced Afghan families

Spouse Issues

• Spouse Issues Committee (SPIC) – 2 members assisted, and $4500 funds disbursed through the WBGFN Barry McIsaac Emergency Funds

• Member of WBG Domestic Abuse Prevention Advisory committee (DAPP)

Virtual meetings and programs via WebEx and Zoom

Thematic sessions

• Rebuilding Dreams – supporting and recovering after pregnancy and infant loss

• Real Talk, Real Bonds -- series of webinars focused on men, to participate, inspire and discover important topic to strengthen their resilience.

• Holding the Fort Abroad – two-part series on solo parenting and managing challenges when your partner is abroad

• WBG Family Network 50th Anniversary Celebrations

• Decision-making in time of transition

• Minding the Gap – helping children and adolescents amidst mental health access to care challenges – in association with HSD

• Healing Emotional Pain and Trauma through Movement – in association with DAPP

Virtual Welcoming Information Session

Virtual Career Lab

Reinforced Communication Resources

- Parents Empowerment Lab

- Building Your Parenting Toolbox

- ParentingNow platform website

- Family Consultation Service

202 458 5550

- Special 50th Anniversary Celebratory Tab and Graphic on the website

- Containing celebration activities & competitions

- Information Seminars

All sessions recorded on our YouTube channel

- Presidents’ message monthly to all members

- More frequent messaging (E-mail, Telegram, WhatsApp groups)

Hybrid Office

- Staff meetings: Weekly inoffice in-person/Team –Hybrid way of working

- Worldwide: Virtual once a month - leveraging virtual for better building connections with Worldwide

- EC: Once a month

Rebuilding towards the New Normal! – FY21-22

“

For me, the MMEG grant was an acknowledgement and validation of my potential, which allowed me to delve and explore ongoing work with women and children. This grant was also an opportunity for me to pay it forward through my ongoing research aimed at magnifying the voices of the ‘voiceless’.”

82 volunteers 6,010 hours

33 grantees

Empowering women

Zorina Noordien (2016 MMEG grantee)

MMEG Virtual Board Meeting

Madeleine De Kock President MMEG

Events

• 4 Virtual grantee get-togethers

• 4 Virtual kick-off events for selection committee

• 4 Selection committee presentations

• 2 Virtual 40th Year Celebration events

• 1 Virtual Luncheon for MMEG’s 40th Year

• 1 Volunteer Appreciate event

• 1 Photo Competition

• 1 MMEG Talks Event

33 Education Grants

• 10 grantees South Africa

• 10 grantees Latin America

• 10 grantees US/Canada

• 3 grantees Trinity WU

Fundraising

• Donations (including CCC and IMF’s Giving Together matching): $175,500

• Institutional Donations: $30,000

• Collaboration with South African Universities to co-sponsor limited number of grantees

Empowering women

Monthly Webinars

• Past, Present and Future of WBGFN

• Welcome and Support Part 1 - Welcoming HQ

• Welcome and Support Part 2 - Welcoming Worldwide

Men’s Workshops

• Real Talks, Real Bonds

• Monthly Informative Workshops

50th

Golden Dessert Competition

• WBGFN’s official 50th Anniversary Dessert

• Opportunity for families Worldwide to participate

Promotional Video • Short video promoting WBGFN

Upcoming

• Photo Competition

• 50th Anniversary Book

• Virtual Reality Experience

Welcoming Program

Welcoming Information Session

'The warm welcome and friendly vibes during my first virtual session with the Welcoming team, made me feel like having my second family in Washington DC. This brought big smile on my face knowing that we are not alone and have a family to get in touch with for all support and guidance needed, during this new journey of our life.‘’

12 activities

96 participants

16 volunteers

907.50 volunteer hours

Quote from member

Chetna Srivastava Co-chair

Georgine Ahmad Senior Advisor

Karine Yenokyan Co-chair

Welcoming Program

Spouse/Partner

Orientation Program

• This event was not organized this year due to the pandemic

• 12 sessions

• 96 participants

Welcoming Information Sessions

WBGFN Buddies

Telegram WhatsApp groups

• Buddies WBGFN Telegram157 members

• Buddies DC Visa/Permits-174 participants

• Buddies DC Social-176 participants

• EAD for G4s-148 participants

Call Center

Get-together/(Virtual “Country Exchange”)

• We couldn’t organize any in-person

Get-together due to the pandemic We organized one virtual “Country Exchange” session

Outreach and Communications

• 215 outreach to relocating families

• 182 calls/emails (by December) to newcomers

• 278 members received Registration Acknowledgement

It makes all the difference to have a friendly face welcoming you when you are new to a country!

WBGFN Member in Country Office

128 participants

51 volunteers

2561 volunteer hours

Cat Mathieu

Laurent Cinot

Scott Cowcher Patricia Meyers

Lola Vico

Rukhsana Khattak Sadaf Khalid Beverly Brar Ahu Cankorel

Activities

• Welcoming newcomers to duty stations

• Building communities and ongoing support to WBG families

• Physical and virtual gatherings and activities

• Increasing interaction with COs and local Staff Associations

Outcome

Highlights

• Strengthening of WW core team: RC Team Leader, 5 RCs, 2 EC Focal Points

• Partnership with COs in crisis situations: Afghanistan, Ukraine, India

• Expanded virtual activities throughout Covid

• Tools To Move website under re-construction

• Relocation and ongoing support to 591families in COs

• 50+ Kabul’s office families in Islamabad supported

• 40+ Kyiv’s office families in Vienna supported

• 396 WW members from 47 COs participated in global virtual events

• Lessons learned on collaboration with COs, Buddy systems, crisis responsiveness

Professional Development Program

Career Lab

After a hard year without working, stuck at home because of this pandemic, I started the Virtual Career Lab, and it gave me the strength to start over again. Listening to Yvonne talking about our common situation as WBG spouses, to see all of the other fellows, feeling that I am not unique and alone, has been crucial for me. Our second session, What story do I tell myself?, pushed me to get out of my comfort zone giving me the strength to contact my former boss and colleagues. The day after they called me back proposing a short-term job.

Yvonne Quahe

Career & Program Advisor

coordinator

23 Events

230 participants

7 volunteers

162 volunteer hours

Quote from Career Lab Alumni

Gisele Youmbi Program

Professional Development Program

Skill-building and Information

• Creating a mobility mindset

• Building flexibility

• Adopting a growth mindset

• Ensuring employability

Career Lab

Alumni Network

Entrepreneurs Network

Professional Development Program

Participants

• 70% Female; 30% Male

• 11% PhD

• 55% Masters

• 18% Bachelors

• 4% Some College Education, no Degree

Outcome

Activities

• Career Lab Alumni Network (CLAN) — 361 Alumni

• Career Lab Facebook Community — 277 Members

• CLAN Facebook Community 141 Members

• Career Lab redesigned and delivered virtually since May 2020

• Career Lab attended by WBGFN members in 16 countries

• 14% of attendees found jobs during COVID times

Supporting teams to optimize the effectiveness of our operations and resources

10 teams supported

8 volunteers

536 volunteer hours

Resource Management

Resource Management Team

Resource Management

Knowledge Management

Knowledge creation and sharing

• WBGFN Events Google Calendar

• Key Knowledge: Supporting those who do not have access to the WB system

• Extensive support to Welcoming Team

• Participation in organizing the 50th Anniversary events

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Conducting surveys and analyzing the feedbacks after WBGFN Events

• Surveys taken: 40, evaluation by events or semiannually/annually

• Monitoring and analyze global participation at online sessions

Data Management & Analytics

• Updating the connection between the WB Human Recourses system and the MMS

• New security policy at the Bank -> updated Registration/Update form -> nationality, phone number, street address and DOB can not be asked from members

• New system is under development for WW Champions

• Many users can access the Database remotely

Volunteer Engagement Team

Volunteer Engagement Team

My purpose in life is to positively impact the lives of others and through the activities of the WBGFN, I am able to impact lives through various projects.

Quote from WBFN volunteer

16 Virtual One on One Meetings

4 volunteers total FY

275 volunteer hours

Carla Gonçalves

Bahati Sanga Ashikur Rahman

Victoria Kaddu

Volunteer Engagement Team

Resources

• MMS Database

Activities

• One on One virtual meetings with potential volunteers

• Daily Support to WBGFN teams and Special Events, including 50th Anniversary

Achievements

• Onboarding volunteers from Worldwide

• Despite zoom fatigue, we increased engagement with volunteers virtually

Marketing

• Rebrand exerciseWBFN to WBGFN

• Support function –FOS, CHP, PEL, BYPT, PL

• LinkedIn

• Facebook

• YouTube

• Telegram and WhatsApp

Social Media

Editorial Committee

Digital Communications

• Digital Media

• WebMagazine

• Content Editor

Design

• Creative layouts

• Videos

• 4342 Followers on LinkedIn

• 80 Posts on LinkedIn

• 1987 Page likes on Facebook

• 2151 Followers on Facebook

• 213 Posts on Facebook weekly

• Monthly worldwide highlights

• 130 Video on YouTube

• 17 articles

• Theme—Career, 50th anniversary, Community, Relocation, Diversity

• Popular—Mobile Careers, personal stories

• 50th Anniversary branding- Logos, virtual backdrops, email banner

• Annual meeting Presentation

• Annual Report

• @-a-glance; 6, 025 subscribers

• Websites WBGFN, Book Project

Content Editor

• Quality assurance of website content

Learning program

Empowering our members with the knowledge and skills to navigate their new virtual environment

Info Seminars

145 hours of instruction

14 activities

640 participants

4 volunteers

250 volunteer hours

English Classes

Learning program

English Classes

Everyone is super professional, courteous and amazingly friendly!”

Quote from student

• Beginner/Intermediate Level to become familiar with using English while building friendships and community

• Advanced Level to feel at ease in a professional environment while expanding your network

Learning program

Information

Seminars

I just attended today’s information seminar and I found it extremely helpful. I suppose human contact and real faces make the transition less overwhelming Quote from member

Regular Topics

• G-4 Visa Options

• Pension Plan

• US Estate Planning and Taxation

• US Income Tax for G-4 Visa Holders

• US Work Authorization

• Year End Income Tax Planning

New Topics

• Holding the fort abroad

• Making Decisions in Times of Transition

• WBGFN Men’s Real Talk Real Bond

Social Program

Interest Groups

“Always feeling so grateful and thankful for the programs and honestly, it makes me always looking forward to Thursday mornings! I think the most helpful session for me was the week when we discussed about Motivating Change. It somehow really motivated me to change and challenge myself to enter a new adventure.“

Quote from WBGFN Mindfulness group

• Advanced Spanish Language group

• African Book Club

• American Book Club

• Bridge Club

• Creative Kitchen

• English Book Club

• French Book Club

• Intermediate French Language group

• International Cultural Group

• Investment Club

• Mahjong Group

• Mindfulness Group

• Moms and moms to be

• The Fiber Arts Group*

*Quilts and other crafts produced have been donated to fundraisers in the local communities New initiatives are always welcome!

Social Program

Interest Groups

“

Thank you so much for enabling the Creative Kitchen group for the WBGFN members. My wife and I enjoyed presenting our Red Mexican Salsa recipe very much, as it gave us a chance to do a shared activity unrelated to work or daily errands in the mid morning, where we both had fun and enjoyed a nice energy from this experience in a refreshing way“

Quote from Creative Kitchen participant

CREATIVE KITCHEN – Interest Group

15 activities

72 participants

25 volunteers

706 volunteer hours

Family Programs

Rebuilding Dreams

I now know that anyone can be a leader, and I will strive to be more confident in myself and not doubt myself. Thank you for offering this program, it led me in the right direction! I wouldn't change anything!

Quote from Youth Leadership participant

6 activities

280 participants

47 volunteers

325 volunteer hours

Disabilities Program

Family Programs

Disabilities Program

Youth Programs

Family Programs

Rebuilding Dreams

Family Programs

Disabilities

Program

Activities

• Recording of previous Educational seminars

Community

• Connect families

• Connect to services or organizations

Disabilities Team

Resources

Resource Database

• Key organizations and programs

• Health resources

• Schools

• Sport and art activities

Loubna Djemame

Mary Summers

Book Project volunteers

I hope the rest of your team are well and safe. And eager to get back to the jobs that you love so much. I could see the passion your entire team had for what you do for the world. It’s something for others to be inspired by. I feel like not enough people know about your project and the good that is being done globally….

When you come back, we want to be first in line to supply your book needs.”

Quote from Brian Richard, Foreman of the Warehouse Charles County Public Schools, Maryland

A faithful and generous donor

26 volunteers 20 hours

0 shipments

Agnes Nuval Laura Byerlee

Activities

• There were no events organized this year due to the pandemic

Shipments

• Shipments—“No shipments were made due to the pandemic. We have received no update on the Ghana shipment which reached its port just in time for the lockdown.”

Our commitment

• We remain in contact with faithful donors, as well as with previous sponsors, and keep the door open for future beneficiaries and donors who have managed to contact us. We will carry on with our mission when circumstances allow.

for the Executive Committee FY22

Sara Jaffrey President

Eunice Omondi Secretary

Ashikur Rahman President Operations

Hely Khan Nominating Chair

Kuzeyhan Ozdemir Member-at-Large

Mary Summers Member-at-Large

Suzana Barroso Member-at-Large

JoJo Concepcion Member-at-Large

Sadaf Khalid Member-at-Large

Patricia Myers Member-at-Large

Beverley Brar Member-at-Large

Chetna Srivastava Member-at-Large

to the cornerstones of the Family Network…

Catherine Mathieu, Mimi Besha and Paul Corsi

Our staff

WBGFN Volunteers – The team behind the scenes

Over the past 50 years, the Family Network has partnered with many departments at the World Bank, and...

IFC-International Finance Corporation

Global Corporate Solutions (GCS)

Shipment

Food and Conference Services

Multimedia

Printing Security

Staff Services

Health & Safety Directorate (HSD)

Domestic Abuse Prevention Program

Field and Travel Health

Occupational Health

Human Resources Department (HRD)

Client Services

Compensation & Performance

Disability Advocacy and Resource Employee Group (DARE)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Operations

EBC- Ethics and Business Conduct

Information and Technology Solutions (ITS)

Data Privacy Office

LEGIA- Legal Institutional Administration

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS)

Pension Administration

Staff Association

GLOBE

WBG External and Corporate Relations (ECR)

1818 Society

…to our partners

... reached out to many sister organizations to exchange ideas, collaborate, and build a better community of expat spouses and partners..

AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

CASE (Center for Adoption Support and Education)

FIGT – Families in Global Transition

IDBFA – International Development Bank Family Association

IMFFA – International Monetary Fund Family Association

SPAN- Safe Passage Across Networks

And a special mention to the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union (BFSFCU) for their sustained support, advice, seminars, and donations.