Message from the President

Barbara Silverstone, D.S.W., A.C.S.W.
(June/July 1992)

This is my last "Message" to you. On July 1st, Elaine Walsh will assume the presidency, bringing to the Chapter a wealth of experience and creative leadership. I wish her well in what I know will be an exciting and fruitful term of office.

I extend heartfelt thanks to the Officers of the Chapter and to the other members of the Board of Directors who served during my term. They were extraordinarily supportive to me and to staff and were instrumental in their own right in forwarding the programs of the Chapter. I point with pride to the pivotal role in setting Chapter policies played by the Board of Directors, who are your elected representatives.

Two major concerns have dominated our deliberations over the past two years: the internal and external threats to the vitality of NASW and the social work profession, and the declining health and welfare of the citizens of our cities and nation. These concerns are not unrelated. Social, health, and economic conditions in part define NASW's programs, or should; by the same token, only a vital professional organization can play a forceful role in the larger society.

From my perspective, the vitality of a professional organization is measured by its responsiveness and services to Chapter members across the board, its effectiveness in monitoring and maintaining professional standards, its impact on the health and welfare policies of the larger society, and the productivity of its staff. I can say with confidence at this juncture that our Chapter is in good condition. Congratulations and appreciation go to Executive Director Bob Schachter and his staff who have taken important steps forward in enhancing office operations, the staffing of Board and Committee activities, and implementing social policy initiatives. Revenues for the Chapter have been augmented through advertising in an upgraded CURRENTS, and the rapport and working relationship between staff and volunteers is excellent.

Over 30 Chapter committees speak to opportunities for addressing a number of issues and for social workers of all interests and specialties to be represented or participate in Chapter activities. Serious attention is paid to those working in the public sector as well as those in private practice. Adherence of all members to professional standards and the NASW Code of Ethics is aggressively pursued.

These accomplishments are healthy signs for the future of our chapter, but there are disturbing symptoms as well, reminding us that all may not be well for NASW. Many members don't renew and far too few of our members participate in Chapter activities. The Chapter has done an extraordinary job in recruiting students into full membership, but we tend to lose older members at an equal rate. The fact that we are not as fully recognized as important players on the social and health policy scene as we'd like to be is another troubling symptom compounded by moves to de-professionalize social work functions.

Volunteer committees, in partnership with staff, have taken extraordinary steps to increase our influence. The prioritization of our energies and resources in addressing the critical problems of families and children in our city, and the recruitment and retention of professional social workers, have paid off. But, we are only nipping away at the edges of profoundly serious social and health care problems. Our role as advocates for change and for reclaiming the unique role played by professional social workers needs to be strengthened.

Symptoms on the national scene are troubling. We are proud that our new headquarters has been relocated to Capitol Hill and that NASW is leading the battle for meaningful health care reform. But National NASW is perceived by too many members as not being sufficiently responsive to local chapters. The failure of the National staff and Board to involve chapters in the selection of a new NASW logo last year has come to symbolize an unfortunate gap in communications between chapters and the National office. We look to the leadership of newly-appointed Executive Director Sheldon Goldstein, former executive of the Florida and Illinois chapters, to strengthen these connections.

Where does this leave us? Historically, the social work profession has always reflected the moods and proclivities of the larger society. We were aggressive and proactive in the revolutionary 60's, and more laid back in the 70's and 80's, joining in society's move toward privatization of services. Now, in the 90's, the challenge we face is breaking out of the mood of powerlessness numbing the larger society in the face of increasing abuse of the helpless and the violent eruption of social unrest, the predictable outcomes of a poor economy, neglect, injustice and discrimination. These conditions will deteriorate even further if collective bodies such as NASW do not adequately respond.

The challenge is there for us. The question is whether we can become a more effective catalyst for change, leading rather than following the larger society. In order to do this, it is absolutely essential that we pull together as a profession, both within the ranks of NASW and in close alliance with other social work professional organizations. Private practitioners, as well as practitioners and administrators in public and voluntary agencies, academicians, ethnic, racial subgroups of our profession, and the wide variety of specialties must join forces. As I stressed in my April column, we can unite around the core of our profession, meeting our clients at their interface with the environment, and in a universal commitment to social reform. I look forward to my own continuing active involvement in Chapter activities and enthusiastic support of the social work profession and all it stands for.