The Foreign Service Journal, September 2016

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 71 AFSA NEWS Embracing Life in Lebanon THE M. JUANITA GUESS AWARD FOR A COMMUNITY L IAISON OFF ICE COORDINATOR SARA LOCKE Presenting the M. Juanita Guess Award for a Com- munity Liaison Office Coordinator to Sara Locke, Jon Clements noted that it takes a very special CLO to be nominated twice for this award. Ms. Locke, the CLO at U.S. Embassy Beirut and last year’s runner-up for the Guess Award, is one such person. Quoting from her nomination, Mr. Clements said: “There is probably no other person in the mis- sion who receives as much unanimous, universal praise as Sara for her efforts in turning around the rapidly deteriorating morale at U.S. Embassy Beirut.” As a high-threat post where employees live and work with serious secu- rity restrictions, morale among staff was low and curtailments were increas- ing at an alarming rate when Ms. Locke arrived at post in 2014. She recom- mended that they conduct a morale survey, and then coordinated closely with the ambassador and the regional psychiatrist to fig- ure out how the downward spiral could be reversed. On receiving the results of the first survey, Ms. Locke created an action committee to respond to the complaints and sugges- tions from participants. As a result, many policies and practices were changed, with new ideas brought forward and implemented. In particular, she has worked to include spouses in all aspects of embassy life, from social events to emer- gency preparations, and lobbied on behalf of spouses and family members to find rewarding jobs in the mis- sion. With many tourist spots considered too dangerous to visit, Ms. Locke sought out new entertainment venues and cultural events, such as concerts, museums, restau- rants and food festivals. Following a suicide bomb- ing just a few miles from the embassy in November 2015, Ms. Locke reached out to the embassy community to ensure accountability and reassure colleagues. Once it was safe to do so, she developed a variety of programs, trips and activi- ties in conjunction with the regional security office, to allow employees to experi- ence Beirut, albeit within the necessarily strict security parameters. Ms. Locke also helped increase the number of trips off the compound, includ- ing a very popular weekend shopping shuttle. This change alone significantly improved morale and gave embassy employees a whole new perspective on life in Lebanon; previously, only one trip off compound per week was permitted. Ms. Locke has continued conducting surveys, and they show that morale is increasing and community members feel that they are being heard. Accepting the award, she said: “Beirut is an interest- ing post—though Lebanon is a beautiful and cosmopoli- tan and enchanting place COURTESYOFSARALOCKE Sara Locke (right) attends the Embassy Beirut 4th of July party. COURTESYOFSARALOCKE with plenty to see and do, the terror- ist threats are real, and the security restrictions have a serious impact on our lives, and thereby our morale.” Ms. Locke also thanked the mem- bers of the Beirut community for always being willing to participate in events, even if they involve silly costumes and decorat- ing all day. Sara Locke’s tireless efforts on behalf of employ- ees and family members are impressive and have resulted in re-establishing U.S. Embassy Beirut as a post actively sought by For- eign Service bidders. n Sara Locke conducts emergency training for staff and families at U.S. Embassy Beirut. AFSA EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS