July 2014 President’s Report – Get Involved with NASW-Maryland! I’m honored to start my term as the President of your NASW-Maryland Chapter. I want to give special thanks to Cherie Cannon, out-going president, for her strong and vital leadership this past year. I also want to thank my other Board of Directors’ colleagues who ended their terms on June 30 and whom I will greatly miss: Anna Williams, vice-president; Shannon Jordan, secretary; Mike Luginbill, Southern Maryland branch representative; Kimberly Flash and Paulette Hendricks, both Metro Baltimore representatives; and Kimberly Solovy, the graduate student representative. The theme for my presidency is Get Involved with NASW-Maryland! The NASW-Maryland Chapter is a vital organization whose vitality and relevance come directly from you, its members. I am so appreciative of every person who already contributes their time to the Maryland Chapter, and I am here to say – “we have room for more!” Starting off, I want to recognize our current 2014 Board Members: Erin Walton, treasurer; Sandy Pelzer, secretary; Anita Rozas and Ronnie Hooten-Santiago, Western Maryland branch representatives; Devon Hyde and Lisa Connors, Suburban Maryland branch representatives; Angela Blake and Rebecca DeMattia, Eastern Shore branch representatives; Donna Wells and Jody Tripple, Metro Baltimore branch representatives; Adrien Bristol, graduate student representative; and Danielle Bouchard, undergraduate student representative. However, for the Board, we have the following three vacancies I am looking to fill: two Southern Maryland branch representatives; and one Metro Baltimore branch representative. If you are interested in these leadership opportunities, please contact Daphne McClellan, Chapter executive director, at [email protected] or me at chris.garland@gmail. Our NASW-Maryland Chapter has a plethora of other exciting opportunities for members as well: 1. We need more members to participate on committees in particular our Committee on Nominations and Leadership (CNLI) and our Membership Committee. The Chapter has many dynamic practice committees that ensure the Chapter advances the profession and helps clients, including but not limited to: the Aging, Children Youth and Families, Forensic Social Work, Legislative, Macro Social Work, Mentoring, PACE, Private Practice, Professional Standards, Social Work in Schools, and Student-Faculty Liaison committees. We are restarting our Behavioral Healthcare Committee (are you a hospital social worker?) and are looking for a chairperson as well as members. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these committees, or if you have ideas for other committees the Chapter should have, please contact Daphne McClellan. 2. Get involved with your branch. Each branch representative would love involvement from members in their branches to plan local events for you, such as brown-bag lunches, happy hours, movie nights, etc. to help you network, develop professionally, and get CEUs. 3. We have opportunities for members to be workshop presenters and trainers for the numerous and high-quality trainings, workshops and conferences the Chapter hosts annually. If you are looking for a way to share your expertise, this is it! Contact Jenni Williams, the Chapter’s director of communications and continuing education at [email protected]. 4. Finally, we want you to attend the wide array of trainings, workshops and conferences the Chapter hosts around the state each year. The Chapter offers these branch-based and statewide sessions for you to get the CEUs and top-notch training you need to be at the top in your field. Just check the National Association of Social Workers – Maryland Chapter Facebook page, our chapter website, your chapter newsletter (hard or electronic copies) or call the Chapter office to take advantage of a workshop near you. Whether a NASW member for 23+ years like me, or a member for just one week, get involved. Our NASW Chapter is wonderful and with your involvement, we will thrive. As your president, I want to hear from you. Contact me anytime at chris.garland@gmail.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:11:49 +0000
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