One of the best ways to get involved in public policy is to work for a campaign either as a volunteer or paid staff. You get to be involved on the ground floor and often can interact with staff at high levels. Many people who actively volunteer for a campaign can later be hired by the candidate once they reach office.

 NASW would like to hear about your experiences volunteering on or working for a campaign.

PACE exists for one reason: to elect candidates with strong records on the issues that matter most to social workers. Despite some recent progress, we as social workers see daily how our clients suffer from the government’s lack of support and funding for social programs.

With your help, that can change in 2008.

Many of you already provide support to PACE through the $10 check-off on the membership renewal form. Still, the 2008 election is so vital to the needs of social workers, and its impact will be felt so strongly across the country, that we’re asking you to help PACE bring about even better results.

The best way to do that is by visiting our new online fundraising tool at http://socialworkers.org/pace.

We’re Off To A Great Start…

PACE helped elect a Congress friendly to social work issues in 2006. This enabled NASW Government Relations staff to advance bills on loan forgiveness, Medicare payments for private practitioners, and other important issues.

But we must continue this work through a renewed emphasis on both the fundamental needs of our clients and the professional goals contained in the Social Work Reinvestment Initiative (SWRI). (See www.socialworkreinvestment.org)

You understand the need to improve social conditions through federal and state legislative initiatives, as well as the need to improve professional conditions for the practice of social work. Supporting PACE at http://socialworkers.org/pace is a great way to help us address these needs!

…And Your Contribution Helps Us Get to the Finish Line

Your contribution provides PACE with the funds necessary to support more incumbents with proven voting records on our most vital issues, and to help challengers with a demonstrated commitment to social justice.

Giving to PACE literally means the difference between victory—and a Member of Congress who truly values the advancement of social justice—and defeat. In such a closely contested election, a loss for even one NASW-supported candidate could lead to a greatly reduced ability to advance our agenda in Congress.

Contributions are divided evenly between national PACE and the chapters, so you can help us influence nationwide races and change the overall political landscape for the better. Please visit http://socialworkers.org/pace to contribute.