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4/26/2008 10:00:58 AM A New Season: A Graduating Student's Perspective Spring has sprung; a new season, a new beginning, and a new career awaits on the day I put on my cap and gown and stroll across Radford University’s commencement ceremony stage. My mind is still full of questions about my career in social work. I have learned, though, through the MSW program that there should and always will be such questions!
I have been fortunate to spend this last year serving on the VSCSW state board as a Student Representative. One reason I wanted to serve on the board was to “get my feet wet” in legislative issues. The knowledge I have gained through my studies and this society have taught me that it is essential to have a voice in our state on issues that effect our profession, the agencies we work for and with, and most importantly, the people we serve. It has been enlightening to observe and participate in how this society influences other state entities such as the Board of Social Work and the General Assembly.
As the new blood and new face on the board, I keep hearing there is a need for more newcomers to serve on the board as well. This will help strengthen VSCSW’s voice, and if you are like me, will give people the opportunity to spread their wings in the legislative arena of social work.
For the past two years I have been preached to about the importance of clinical social workers participating in legislative concerns. This is one sermon to which I have paid the most attention in my graduate work. Clinical social workers get to work with people on a very individualized basis at times, and it is easy to see how mental health or other systems may hold people back from obtaining some of their therapeutic goals. Joining, renewing, and participating in the VSCSW efforts allows clinical social workers to voice the concerns of the people they serve, which in turn, helps accomplish individual goals. I have seen how combining these two worlds of practice have created well-rounded, versatile, clinical social workers and individuals.
As I enter into the profession of social work, seek licensure, and continue to be a part of VSCSW, I hope others will take advantage of the various roles this society offers to its members. You don’t have to be at the beginning of your career, you just have to continue asking yourself how you can be a great clinician, advocate, colleague, and add to the profession. One step is to Spring into something new this season and join, renew, or become more involved in VSCSW.
Gretchen Garber, Student Representative, VSCSW – State Board
4/26/2008 9:54:35 AM Board of Social Work – Will You Serve? The Board of Directors of the VSCSW is soliciting names of those members of our organization who may be interested in serving a term of office on the Board of Social Work as there may be an upcoming vacancy. If you would like to be considered, or know of someone whom you believe would be a great candidate, please contact Peggy Holland, VSCSW Secretary at twerp53@cox.net For further information about the Board of Social Work, check out their website at: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/social/
link to Board Social
Email Peggy Holland
4/26/2008 9:52:33 AM Lobby Day A Success Lobby Day was a big success this year. We were able to educate the new and old legislators about what a clinical social worker is and does. This always proves to be an empowering experience for me and there is hope that others will join us next year for this annual event. A big thank you to Gretchen Garber for driving from Radford University to join us and to Betty Eastman for her help in promoting Lobby Day and clinical social work through the Guild and as Eastern Chapter President. See you at the General Assembly next year!
J. Mark O’Shea, LCSW
Markoshea2@aol.com
VSCSW Legislative Vice President
3/15/2008 6:49:41 PM Experienced Clinician Sought in Norfolk New job listing for The Psychotherapy Center in Norfolk. Click on "Job Postings" for the full notice.
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