Dear MSW and BSW students:
I wish to extend a warm welcome to all all of you entering or returning to schools of social work in the New York City area. As the MSW student representative to the New York City Chapter's Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to inform fellow students of the necessity and advantages of NASW membership.
As we head into the 1995-1996 academic year, in pursuit of professional careers as social workers, upheavals and reforms in social welfare policies are having a serious negative impact on the social work profession as a whole. Recent deleterious decisions on public policy, emanating from City, State and Federal administrations, have taken the forms of budget cuts, welfare "reform", recanting of affirmative action, threats to deregulate hospital social work departments and the curtailment or cessation of social welfare programs and agencies. These and many other draconian measures being proposed will certainly have a negative impact on the structure and delivery of social services. At no other time in the history of social work has the profession been in such a precarious position. As students planning careers in social work, the current political climate and dramatic changes in social welfare policy are potentially devastating to our profession's future. At no other time in history has our membership in, support of and involvement with NASW been so critical. NASW, the principal organization advocating sound social policy and the delivery of professional services, brings students and professionals together to take an active role in social welfare advocacy.
For members of NASW, many opportunities exist to develop a greater understanding of practice, service delivery, the scope of policy planning, the implications of political decision-making and the importance of social work advocacy. An actively involved student membership, furthermore, creates opportunities for learning, networking, advocacy, and participation in the formation of policy. These opportunities exist through participation in the numerous committees under the NASW umbrella.
Committee members meet to discuss critical developments in their areas of expertise. During these meetings, members share information, monitor, and analyze practice issues including the impact of budget cuts and the direct and residual effects on clients, agencies and the profession as a whole and devise strategies and methods to effectively impact social policy and program development. Additionally, some committee members meet with local and state officials to discuss social work issues, and testify at hearings in an effort to insure a professional social work perspective. Networking with NASW members who are practicing professionals creates unique opportunities to share ideas and learn about the myriad areas of social work and provides a forum in which students can discuss future career plans with experts.
In addition to field of practice committees which address specific areas of concern (see box, p 14), there is also a
Social Action Committee which meets regularly to address the broad scope of social work issues and a Political Action
Committee which works to elect candidates who support social work issues.
A chapter goal for the 1995-1996 academic year is to have at least one student representative from each MSW and
BSW program in the New York City area present at Social Action Committee meetings. This is part of a continuing
effort to relay pertinent information to social work schools, as well as a mechanism to report on social action activities
involving these schools. This information and event network will create an environment in which schools, students
and other NASW members will have greater opportunities to actively support each other's efforts, as well as
strengthen the planning and implementation of events.
Building a stronger alliance between schools of social work and NASW will not only serve to advance innovative
strategies and ensure a high degree of professionalism in the field of social work, it will further the learning experiences
and opportunities of student and practicing professional members alike. As we look towards the year 2000, and the
future of social work, we must be prepared to advocate for ourselves and our chosen profession in order to insure the
continuance of a world where those less fortunate will have effective and professional assistance to help them on the
way to a better life.
In conclusion, I would like to send best wishes to all students of social work for a productive and enriching academic year. As we strive to serve our clients and profession in an exemplary manner of advocacy and self-determination, we must first know how to advocate for ourselves. Taking an active role in NASW provides that opportunity. I look forward to meeting other student members and working in cooperation with all schools of social work in the New York City area. For more information on how to become an active member at NASW or to join a committee, you may call me at (718) 447-1715, or call NASW direct at (212) 668-0050.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Jackson Cassidy
Graduate Student Representative,
Chapter Board of Directors