The President’s Pen

Aloha everyone!

June has been another busy month for all of us. We had the opportunity to meet with Gary Bailey, NASW National President, who is ending his term this month. He gave us an over-view of the National Public Image Campaign and encouraged all of us to pledge (in dollars and in spirit) to participate. He showed us a DVD that made us all proud to be Social Workers!

It’s time for Social Workers to “tell their story”. If we do not tell our story then who will? Check out National’s homepage to learn more about the Image Campaign and how you can help. Go to www.socialworkers.org or call the Chapter office if you would like a free DVD or VHS tape about the Public Image Campaign.

The Board met with Mr. Bailey to discuss a few of our Chapter’s concerns. Specifically, regarding fundraising issues for smaller Chapters, like ours and our PACE operations. Mr. Bailey clarified National’s position and listened to our position. Hopefully, he will share the information he learned about the Hawaii Chapter’s issues with others at National. Mr. Bailey also met with Legislators and Chapter members at the “Talk Story” session we sponsored at the State Capitol. Rep. Ryan Yamane, Rep. Calvin Say, Rep Kirk Caldwell, Sen. Brian Kanno, Sen. Gary Hooser, Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland were all able to meet Gary and discuss some local issues regarding the social work profession with him. Overall, it was great to have the National NASW president here and hopefully he felt our aloha.

As I look back over my first term as Chapter president, I am amazed at how quickly it has gone by and how much our profession has accomplished:

· Establishing three levels of licensure for Social Workers

· Continuing to grow a mentoring program

· Participating with the selection of a new Dean of the UH School of Social Work

· Supporting a new MSW program at HPU

· Electing a NASW member to the State House

· Celebrating our 50th birthday as an Association

· Passing legislation to protect the Social Work title in the state

· Sponsoring a successful legislative day for Social Work students at the state capitol

· Sponsoring a delightful musical about chronically homeless written by a Social Work doctoral student

As we embark on a new fiscal year, the Hawaii Chapter Board will take on some difficult tasks– Continued discussions with DHRD on title and job protection of State Social Workers; working with the schools of Social Work regarding distance learning and supplying BSWs and MSWs for the worker shortage in both public and private sector; and participating in Delegate Assembly to update our national policy statements on a variety of topics. Our continuing education committee continues to work hard to provide in-service training for our members at a minimal cost. If there are any topics you would like a workshop on please let us know. If anyone is interested in helping to plan our 2006 annual conference please let us know as Elaine Wilson (mahalo Elaine) has agreed to chair this annual event.

Lastly, National is urging all members (and family and friends) to send a letter to the Postal Service’s Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee supporting a stamp for the social work profession. For your convenience, we have included a letter in this newsletter that you can simply sign and mail to the Stamp Advisory Committee (Click here for a copy of the letter). The committee will only review a particular theme or idea once every two years. As the committee reviews stamp themes in the coming months, it will base much of its decision on how many people write letters of support for an idea. Sign and mail your letter today!

I have enjoyed my first year as President and look forward to meeting as many members as possible. Especially those social workers on the neighbor islands (Kauai and Kona) that I have not visited yet.

Till next month!

Darrin Sato, LSW, QCSW

President

July 2005