Description: The SOSA Award was created in 1990 by AAFSW at the suggestion of Secretary of State James Baker and Mrs. Susan Baker. Funding for the award includes donations from former Secretaries of State and AAFSW members, as well as an annual donation from the Green Family Foundation, which is administered by the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University.

Criteria: The SOSA Award recognizes volunteer efforts at posts overseas in one or more of the following areas:

Remarkable service to the mission community; Outstanding activities directed toward the host country; and/or Exceptional service in emergency situations.

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 his or her volunteer achievement.

Winners receive a cash award, a certificate signed by the Secretary of State, and a pin commemorating the event. Travel to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony is paid by the individual bureaus.

Eligibility: All American USG direct-hire employees under Chief of Mission (COM) authority, their spouses and family members over the age of 18, and their members of household (MOH) are eligible. Previous nominees can be reconsidered if an updated summary statement is included. The SOSA is given for volunteer activities performed abroad while the nominee was posted to a U.S. Mission or safe-havening at post during an unaccompanied tour.