By Alma J. Carten, DSW
(December 2000)

Much has happened since my last message to the membership, including the first election of the 21st century. With the results now in, social workers across the city are undoubtedly wondering what implications these will have for the future of the profession. I write this not knowing if NASW PACE endorsed candidates have been successful, but can share with you the many accomplishments of the Association over the past few months.

National NASW

At the national level, approximately two thousand social workers participated in Social Work 2000, "Strategies to Succeed in the New Market Economy". The conference was opened with a keynote given by Ronald V. Dellums that emphasized the link between social work, politics and social activism. Actress Tyne Daley, was warmly received at the closing plenary for her positive portrayal of social workers in the television series "Judging Amy".

In the days in between, a wealth of opportunities were provided for networking and exposure to new ideas for negotiating in a new environment where the bottom line of the market economy that stresses profits, competition and outcomes has become the bottom line for the health and human services. A recurring theme from invitational speakers, cautioned that despite new opportunities created by the new economy, for some groups the bottom line translates into diminishing access to quality health and welfare services.

President Ruth Mayden participated in a briefing session with chapter leadership giving an update on the status of the Executive Director Search and governance audit. Dr. Josephine Neives was honored at a reception for her contributions and accomplishments as executive director over the past four years.

A high point of the conference was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dean May Ann Quaranta, who delighted the audience by saying in accepting the award that stepping down from the Deanship of Fordham University Gradate School of Social Services should not be interpreted as her retirement from public life.

At the Chapter level, the most talked about event of the past months is the signing of the Alliance made with 1199 that was reported in the New York Times and received front page coverage in the NASW National newsletter.

NYC Chapter

A citywide conference on Gun Violence was undertaken by the Chapter in collaboration with the Alliance for Justice and the metropolitan schools of social work. This conference was a part of "First Monday 2000", a national initiative that aims to garner support for policies to end gun violence and encourage government regulation of the manufacture and marketing of guns. The importance of the need for the Chapter to continue to promote this issue as a priority is underscored by the compelling discussions of contributors to this issue of Currents that addresses the psychosocial and societal implications of violence in its many forms.

The meeting of the PACE leadership, from New York City and State Chapters, with Hillary Clinton staff members will have broad implications for the Chapter beyond the election. The meeting established a beginning dialogue around social welfare issues of mutual concern that included welfare reform, mental health, child welfare, and services to the elderly.

Board Retreat

The Board Retreat, held the last week of October, has become an annual tradition and allows for a more structured approach for reviewing the Chapter's strategic plan that establishes operational and programmatic priorities. At each retreat the Board faces the daunting task of weaving together a cohesive policy that integrates the varied interests of the membership and chapter committees, that is operationalized into a strategic plan consistent with the mission of the profession and relevant to New York City social welfare needs. There was consensus among Board members that the chapter should endeavor to develop innovative recruitment and fund raising strategies to ensure that the membership is reflective of the diversity among New York City social workers, and continuing fiscal viability of the chapter.

It was a personal honor for me to represent the Chapter at the Annual meeting of the Black Agency Executives that formally welcomed Dean Peter Vaughan to the New York social welfare community, and paid tribute to Dr. James R. Dumpson for his elevation and installment as chief or "Nana" by the Ghanaian with Dean Vaughan, an invitation to attend a meeting of the One Hundred Black Men where we were introduced to the membership. Both are membership associations with organizational missions that are closely aligned with that of NASW.

I have written this before the elections, with the hope that the Chapter Mobilize the Vote initiative, and PACE organizing efforts will pay off and candidates sympathetic to our cause will be the winners. Whatever the election outcome, as social workers we must continue to do what we have always done. We must do this because the poor are still very much with us, because forty three million Americans continue to be without health coverage, because there is little definitive information about the status of children in families that have left the welfare rolls, and because far too many New Yorkers have little hope for ever reaping the benefits of the new prosperity.

There are many developments occurring within the Association that will enable us to meet continuing challenges with renewed vigor. In thinking about were we are today, a phrase from a popular song of the 1980's keeps coming to mind that became an anthem at agency recognition ceremonies for client populations that had overcome considerable obstacles-- "ain' no stopping us now, we're on the move." Social work has also persisted and stayed the course. We are on the move, there has never been a better time for the Association, the profession, the membership.