November 9, 2016
Dear NASW-MN Members,
Last night our nation was surprised by the results of the presidential election. NASW had endorsed Hillary Clinton as the candidate who most closely aligned with the values and policies of our Social Work profession. For those of us who supported her candidacy or one of the Independents, this is a difficult day as we look towards an uncertain future.
As independent citizens and residents we all have the right to our own opinions and to follow our own consciences. Now it will be important to work towards coming together as a nation, while still standing up for our beliefs and the concerns of our communities.
As social workers, it is also essential to remember that we uphold and demonstrate our professional ethics. Our Code of Ethics states:
The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence.
As we move into this new and unknown political territory, let us continue to live out these values in our work and our lives, remembering the needs and interests of our clients, and working for an inclusive, just, and responsible future.
In Support of Social Work Values,
Jessica Toft, MSW, PhD, LISW
NASW-MN Board President
Deborah Talen, MBA, MPA
NASW-MN Executive Director
