Lynn Zakeri, Northeastern District Chair
Northeastern Update- Lynn Zakeri
In April, I began my message to you with, “Oh boy! Please know as I type this I am thinking about you. You, social worker, parent, son, daughter, friend, spouse, loved one… human. I know you have a lot of ups and downs and a lot of thoughts, because, well, you are human. I want you to know I am thinking about you.” I am now on May 1st writing this to you with the same heartfelt sentiment. You are likely feeling just as tired, just as drained, but just as determined and just as committed as you were last month. Of course you are—you are a social worker.
I am happy to tell you that there will be a virtual CEU event with a really exciting speaker this month. The training is on, "Assessing and Supporting Suicidal Clients," on 05/21 with Jonathan Singer, LCSW. Just wait until you see his bio. He is being really generous with his time, and I can’t wait to absorb every second of this event. The topic is always timely but probably resonates even more now as he talks with us on the topic of suicide.
Don’t forget about CHAPTER AWARDS (Deadline: July 31, 2020)
Nomination Form: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/2020-social-work-awards-nomination-form/ Per NASW-IL update:
Now more than ever, social workers deserve recognition on the ways they’ve been contributing to their communities. Nominations are now being accepted for the annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Awards. Please consider nominating an individual in your area who’s going above and beyond and deserves recognition for all of their hard work. The chapter is seeking nominations in the following categories: Social Worker of the Year; Public Citizen of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award; and Emerging Social Work Leader. For more details about the awards, go to: https://www.naswil.org/post/accepting-nominations-for-the-2020-social-work-awards. All nominees except Public Citizen of the Year must be current NASW members.
Last month I wrote the following about silver linings and thought about this again. It is a good exercise: “I know we keep hearing that we need to take care of ourselves while we take care of other. I also know we know that, but it sometimes feels like there is not enough time. I challenge each and every one of you to articulate one silver lining you have found thus far. One. And the only requirement is that it is personal. About YOU.”
I look forward to seeing some of your faces in a couple weeks. Take care of yourself.
Be well.
Lynn
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