2007 Annual Conference “A Wow”
By Mike Hays and Susan Reynolds
Annual Conference Co-chairs
The NASW Washington State Chapter 2007 Annual Conference – “Changing World – Critical Conversations” featured outstanding speakers, a film, the dean’s panel, state social work awards, and a social event.
The Conference opened with thrilling, imaginative, musical storytelling by renowned mythologist Michael Meade, founder of Mosaics, Inc.
Then the group enjoyed a fascinating look at marriage; gay and straight, through the lens of Drew Emery’s film, “Inlaws and Outlaws”.
The Chapter’s Legislative Action Committee led a spirited discussion exploring the membership’s topics of interest for the upcoming legislative session.
The Chapter recognized “New Futures” (South King County) as Agency of the Year for their efforts in partnering with families to create communities where children thrive, providing programs to low income children to help build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths.
The afternoon opened with stand-up comedy, rap music, personal revelation and professional techniques for working with at-risk youth by Christian Moore, LCSW.
The afternoon panel, facilitated by NASW Washington State Chapter out-going President, Brian Giddens, included the following deans and directors: Pam Cress from Walla Walla College, Margaret Spearmon University of Washington Seattle, and Marcie Lazzari University of Washington Tacoma. The entire assembly engaged in a heated and thought-provoking discussion around social work issues, including: The value of social work, social work salaries, the view of the profession by others, and education and social worker socialization processes.
The evening’s social event, enjoyed by all, featured awards to: Susan Brown Smith, PhD, LICSW for Educator of the Year; Julie Elmenhurst, MSW, LICSW for Outstanding Recent Graduate; and, Jarron Magallanes, BSW Student for Outstanding Student.
Saturday started early with three breakout breakfast sessions presented by the Chapter Ethics Committee (Joan Golston, MSW, LICSW and Stephen Anderson, JD), the Legislative Action Committee (Lynn Carrigan MSW, LICSW), and the Professional Development Committee facilitated by Teresa Maib, MSW, LICSW.
The morning sessions started with the Social Worker of the Year award, presented by Brian Giddens to Susan Reynolds, MSW, LICSW. Susan then had the pleasure of returning the favor and presenting the Chapter’s formal thanks to out-going President Brian Giddens, MSW, ACSW, LICSW.
Marti Richards, LICSW engaged the group in a deeply meaningful discussion around spiritual values and terminal illness.
The conversation turned physical with Karl LaRowe’s energizing body work presentation around “Vicarious Trauma.”
At lunch, an anonymous donor generously sponsored Tom Preston, MD and former Governor, Booth Gardner, as they spoke eloquently and personally about “Patient Directed Dying.”
The Chapter praised our Public Citizen of the Year, Kathryn Gardow, with recognition for her work with the Washington Voter Registration Project. Robin Arnold-Williams, Secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services was the recipient of the 2007 President’s Award, recognizing her for over 25 years of dedication to the Social Work profession.
Dr. Micheal Kane spoke powerfully and challenged our beliefs about racism, and our practices with “Ethnically Diverse Therapy Clients.”
Brian Giddens, MSW, ACSW, LICSW, sent the audience out into the world discussion the ethical implications of fulfilling our responsibilities as Social Workers.
Both Susan Reynolds and Mike Hays, co-Chairs of the 2007 Conference, want to thank all of the presenters, vendors, sponsors, volunteers and Chapter office staff for making this wonderful conference a reality. Most of all, we could not have had such a successful conference without all of you who attended and who continue on with these “Critical Conversations.”