Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE
NASW-Illinois Chapter Executive Director
As the infamous bumper sticker says, "Vote Like your Life Depends on It." That could not be more poignant with the upcoming November 8th elections. The NASW-Illinois Chapter announced our 2022 endorsements for the general election earlier in the month.
There is still time to help our many of our endorsed candidates by volunteering to canvas on their behalf in their districts. As someone who has been canvassing for candidates since high school, I have been out in different districts this fall. It is extremely empowering and means a great deal to candidates with whom the chapter will be working during the upcoming session of the Illinois General Assembly.
Over the past several weeks, the chapter has been engaging many of its stakeholders following the release of the ASWB test data discussing a range of issues regarding measuring social work competencies and different options to testing. Since late August, we have met with deans and directors of social work programs three times to discuss these efforts. I hope you have an opportunity to join Nathan A. Stephens, PhD, MSW, assistant professor at the Illinois State University School of Social Work who will be presenting for the chapter on, "Exploring the ASWB Exam Data and its Implications: The Color Line 2.0," on November 8, 2022, at 12:00pm via Zoom. Registration information can be found at https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/zt44x2601s76cb/
Several notes and updates:
Our November 17th in-person conference, Reconnecting Through Social Work 2022 is SOLD OUT! You can still attend the virtual portion of the conference on December 1st. Registration information can be found at http://naswmeets.org/.
Congratulations to Joseph “Joe” Monahan, ACSW, JD, for being elected as a Social Work Pioneer. Joe has worked tirelessly on behalf of the profession as well as the NASW-Illinois Chapter. He has had a career of tireless service, principled advocacy, and innovative leadership by combining his social work skills and values with his legal abilities as a lawyer.
Welcome to Sydney Moreland, our 2022–23 NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Wrk Policy intern! Sydney is a student at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work.
Condolences to the family of Hazel Vespa, LCSW, who was an NASW member for close to 60 years and a pillar on the PKU unit at Children's Memorial/Lurie Children's Hospital for 44 years. Hazel was a mentor to many. I had the pleasure of knowing her and recognizing her many contributions to the profession, including awarding her in 2010 with the NASW-Illinois Chapter Chicago District Lifetime Achievement Award.
Enjoy the change of seasons this fall and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!