2008 Awards Open for Nominations
Nominations are being solicited for the Secretary of
State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) and
the Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award (Tragen). The awards are
sponsored and administered by the Associates of the
American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW), Diplomatic and
Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR), and the Family Liaison
Office (DGHR/FLO). The awards will be presented at the
annual AAFSW awards ceremony on December 9, 2008. Deadline for nominations for
both awards is September 12, 2008.
Award description, criteria, and eligibility
SOSA
Description: The AAFSW/Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) was established in 1990 by Secretary of State James Baker and Mrs. Baker. Funding for the award includes donations from former Secretaries of State, AAFSW members and an annual donation from the Green Family Foundation which supports social action.
Criteria: The SOSA Award recognizes volunteer efforts at
posts overseas in the following areas: 1) remarkable
service to the mission community; 2) outstanding
activities directed towards the host country; and 3)
exceptional service in emergency situations. Evaluation
factors considered in the selection process include:
scope and reach of activities, sustainability, ingenuity,
and leadership.
A recipient is chosen from each regional bureau for their volunteer achievement. Winners will receive a cash award of $3000, a certificate signed by the Secretary of State, and a pin commemorating the December event. Travel to Washington for the awards ceremony will be paid by the individual bureaus.
Eligibility: All active American USG direct-hire employees, their spouses and family members over the age of 18, and their members of household are eligible. Previous nominees can be reconsidered if an updated summary statement is included.
TRAGEN AWARD
Description: The Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award recognizes a spouse, family member or member of household who has effectively advocated for family member rights and benefits as did the late Mrs. Tragen. The award is funded by the income from a gift to DACOR Bacon House Foundation from retired FSO Irving Tragen.
Criteria: The recipient will be chosen for his/her volunteer efforts to enhance the global rights and benefits provided to FS spouses, family members or members of household. These efforts must result in demonstrably improved spouse welfare. Nominees must agree to attend the December ceremony if selected. The winner will receive a cash award of $2,000. If the recipient is posted abroad, DACOR will provide two nights' lodging gratis.
Eligibility: Nominees must be spouses, family members or members of household of FS employees, active or retired. Previous nominees can be considered if an updated summary sheet is included.
Nomination and Selection process
Nominations for both awards are not to exceed 3 pages
double-spaced and must include the following information:
the nominee's name including middle initial; the
relationship to the direct-hire employee or retiree; the
nominee's e-mail address; the nominator's name and
relationship to the nominee; a justification for the
nomination including specific actions and qualities that
fulfill the award criteria; and the name of the nominee's
hometown newspaper and U.S. representative in Congress.
Nominations for the SOSA Award should be sent to the AAFSW
Office by e-mail to office@aafsw.org or by fax to 703-820-
5421. Nominations for the Tragen Award should be sent to
DGHR/FLO via e-mail to Susan Frost at FrostSH@state.gov or
by fax to 202-647-1670. SOSA and Tragen nominations must
be received no later than September 12, 2008.
The SOSA and Tragen Awards are given for volunteer activities only. Only nominees who are serving or have served abroad under the authority of the Chief of Mission are eligible. Posts or individuals may submit as many nominations as they wish provided the nominees meet the criteria.
The selection committee for the SOSA Awards will include representatives from AAFSW, FLO, the Transition Center, and the Executive Director of the regional bureaus. The selection committee for the Tragen Award will include representatives from DACOR, AAFSW, and FLO. All nominees will be notified as soon as the selections are made.
Contacts: For additional information on the SOSA Awards, contact AAFSW at office@aafsw.org, by phone at 703-820-5420, or by fax at 703-820-5421. For additional information on the Tragen Award, contact FLO Director Leslie Teixeira at TeixeiraLM@state.gov or Deputy Director Susan Frost at FrostSH@state.gov or by phone at 202-647- 1076.