Looking for Outstanding Volunteers for SOSA 2020!

Who is a Volunteer?
A person who freely offers to perform a service for others

V A Voice
O An Organizer
L A Liaison
U A Unifier
N A Needs Assessor
T A Trainer
E An Energetic Manager
E An Enthusiastic Supporter
R A Recruiter

Does this describe you or someone you know at post?

AAFSW is accepting nominations for the 2020 Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA). Nominees can be Foreign Service Officers, spouses, family members, EFM domestic partners, or Members of Household. All members of the Foreign Service are encouraged to present nominations. A panel selects recipients from each of the six regional bureaus. Winners will receive a cash award of $2500, a certificate signed by the Secretary of State and a pin commemorating the awards ceremony. Travel to Washington, DC will be paid for by regional bureaus. Nominations may be sent as a Word document to office@aafsw.org. Nominations must be received by April 30, 2020. The award ceremony will be held in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State in November 2020 (date to follow).

Specific details on criteria, eligibility and nomination and selection process can be found in ALDAC cable 20 STATE 10038 issued January 31, 2020. Please feel free to contact AAFSW with any questions regarding the 2020 SOSA Award by email: office@aafsw.org, or phone: 703-820-5420. To review additional information on the outstanding accomplishments of recent recipients please visit https://www.aafsw.org/services/sosa/.

Seeking Nominations for the Champions of Career Enhancement for EFMs Award
The AAFSW “Champions of Career Enhancement for Eligible Family Members” Award (CCE-EFM) was developed by AAFSW’s EFM Employment Committee to recognize and incentivize those who go above and beyond their job descriptions and routine daily activities to promote the cause of employment and career development for Foreign Service family members. The winning individual or group will receive a cash award of $1000 and will be honored at the AAFSW Award Ceremony in November 2020.

Nominations are due by April 30, 2020. Specific details on criteria, eligibility and the selection process can be found on www.aafsw.org. Please feel free to contact AAFSW with any questions regarding the 2020 CCE-EFM Award by email: office@aafsw.org.
The AAFSW EFM Employment Committee

Wanted: Exceptional Family Member Advocate for the Tragen Award
Since 2006, Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR) has presented the Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award. This award recognizes a family member who has effectively advocated for family member rights and benefits, as did the late Eleanor Tragen, a long-time AAFSW member. The award is funded by the income from a gift to DACOR Bacon House Foundation from her husband, retired Foreign Service Officer Irving Tragen. Nominees can be Foreign Service Officers, spouses, family members, EFM domestic partners, or Members of Household. All members of the Foreign Service are encouraged to present nominations. Nomination deadline is April 30, 2020. The recipient of the 2020 Tragen Award will receive a $2000 cash gift at the AAFSW Annual Awards Ceremony in November 2020.

Specific details on criteria, eligibility and the selection process can be found on the AAFSW website. Please feel free to contact John Bradshaw of DACOR with any questions regarding the 2020 Tragen Award by email: jbradshaw@dacorbacon.org, phone: 202-682-0500 ext. 14 or fax: 202-842-3295.