Election results for the NASW-Illinois Chapter have been announced! Your votes were counted up new Undergraduate and Graduate Student Representatives have been elected. Learn more about your new reps to the NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors below!
GRADATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (One-year term): Jennifer Plakut (MSW Student, University of Illinois at Chicago) is a first-year student in the master’s in social work program at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Social Work program. Jennifer is enrolled
in the part-time program and works full-time as director of development for the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Jennifer has spent most of her professional career and the past seventeen years working with not-for-profits and higher education institutions. She is a results-oriented professional and has a demonstrated ability and effectiveness in soliciting individual and major donors, managing relationships with corporate and foundation donors, building strategic partnerships with diverse internal and external constituent groups, assisting in the production of large and small scale fundraising events, and the implementation and management of eCRM systems and methodology. She has used her skill set in a volunteer capacity as well with several local not-for-profits that work with immigrant communities and homeless youth populations, providing counsel and guidance to these organizations to help drive mission objectives and strategies. Jenna is pursuing an MSW with a mental health concentration and a certificate in evidence-based mental health practice with children. She inspires to become an LCSW and work providing mental health services to families and at-risk children, having special interest in the LGBTQ communities.
UNDERGRADATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (One-year term): Thomas Bates (BSW
Student, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) is interested in poverty, homelessness, community organizing, and legislative advocacy. He has provided case management in mental health and community agencies, and served as editor for UIUC’s Journal of Undergraduate Social Work Research.
Their terms as student representatives will begin on July 1, 2019. To read more about the rest of the election and new incoming board members.
2019 Social Work Awards
We're seeking nominations for our annual Social Work Awards! Know a really great professor or supervisor who's been pivotal in being a mentor? Consider nominating them for an award! This year, we are looking for outstanding individuals whose work has supported and promoted the social work profession and the people it serves. Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:
Social Worker of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Public Citizen of the Year
Emerging Leader
Submit a nomination form here or send us the name, and we'll follow up! DEADLINE: Wednesday, July 31, 2019
2020 Student Liaisons
As we close out the end of the 2018–2019 academic season, don't forget about next year! We'll be seeking new student liaisons in the fall! If you'll be enrolled in school for the 2019–2020 academic season and are looking to take on a leadership roll with your association, consider becoming a liaison! Click the link below to volunteer.
2020 Student Liaison: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/2020-student-liaison/
2019 NASW-Illinois Chapter Statewide Conference: A Meeting of the Professions
This year's statewide conference has been announced, and there's HUGE savings for student members!
WHEN? This year's conference will take place November 5–7, 2019, at The Westin North Shore in Wheeling, IL
HOW MUCH? Registration is typically $405 for all three days, but NASW student members can attend all three days for only $105--that's $300 in savings!
WHY? You may be wondering, I'm still in school. I don't need education hours yet. Wrong!
Our statewide conference is the biggest gathering of social work leaders around the state. This is the perfect opportunity to network with working social workers who are in the field to and learn about different specialties within the profession. Who knows? You may walk away with a job lead, a new direction for your career, or an awareness of an emerging field you hadn't known existed. Also, it's a great resume-builder and shows potential hiring agents that you're serious about social work.
To sign up and register, go to: www.naswilmeets.org.
Have a great summer!