NASW leaders gather for workshops, Hill visits and award ceremonies

Jun 3, 2013

By Rena Malai and Paul R. Pace, News staff

NASW chapter executive directors, presidents and presidents-elect traveled to Washington, D.C., in April to participate in the 2013 Annual Leadership Meeting held at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.

Carol Trust, executive director of the Massachusetts Chapter, receives the Outstanding Chapter Executive of the Year Award.

The four-day meeting, with the theme “A Profession of Leaders in a Leading Profession,” offered an opportunity for NASW leaders to network, learn about national office activities, participate in workshops and meet with their members of Congress. (See related article in this issue.)

Ceremonies were held during the conference to honor the recipients of several awards, including the NASW National Awards and the Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.

ALM also featured keynote speakers and a reception and dinner to honor NASW CEO Elizabeth J. Clark, who left the position last month after 12 years of service. (See related article in this issue.)

Clark and NASW President Jeane Anastas welcomed participants to ALM in an opening plenary, including a State of the Association report that Clark delivered. The report mentioned association highlights over the past year, including the reintroduction of the Social Work Reinvestment Act in the U.S House of Representatives; working closely with Jill Biden on veterans’ issues; international social work efforts through Social Workers Across Nations; and changes implemented through the Affordable Care Act.

Clark also announced that Angelo McClain had been chosen as NASW’s new CEO. (See related article in this issue.)

“It has been a privilege to be at NASW,” Clark said. “And in social work, we do have challenges ahead of us, but as social workers we rise to those challenges.”

Karin Moran, director of policy at NASW’s New York State Chapter, received the Gilman-Wells Award, which was established in 1997 and honors one special area of chapter activity. Moran was recognized for her leadership skills, developing strong community advocacy and helping put veteran mental health training initiatives in place.

“We (NASW-NYS) have achieved results far beyond our expectations,” Moran said. “As social workers, we can redefine ourselves and ignite our passions.”

Carol Trust, executive director of the NASW Massachusetts Chapter, received the Outstanding Chapter Executive of the Year Award for her chapter leadership, responding to unexpected crises in a timely fashion and helping the chapter in its efforts to get a social work safety bill passed in the first legislative session.

“This award is for all of us,” Trust said. “It’s so neat to be a part of this community, and this chosen profession is indeed a way of life.”

Anastas and Clark also encouraged plenary attendees to move thoughtfully forward as social work leaders.

“We’re here as leaders in the profession,” Anastas said. “We must be creative, thoughtful and innovative in how we lead the profession, and move forward in a fruitful way.”

From the June 2013 NASW News. After logging in, NASW members can read the full story.

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