Tampa Bay Unit Social Work
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TAMPA BAY UNIT
(Updated 3/23/18)
"Happy Spring Everyone!" I want to start out by thanking members of our Steering Committee for all the work they did to ensure our Social Work Month Celebration happened. Without their creativity and untiring efforts, we would not have had such a successful event.
Also, I want to again congratulate our 2018 Award Winners. They received their awards at our March 10, 2018, Social Work Month Celebration at Allegro Hyde Park. If you attended, you know what a special day that was. Our keynote speaker was Mr. Bob Blackwood, LCSW, and a long-time NASW member. Mr. Blackwood serves as Chief of Social Work Services at the James Haley V.A. Hospital in Tampa. His presentation focused on how our profession functions in the V.A. as well as outlining the V.A. Choice program.
Our Tampa Bay Unit award winners are:
Pamela Jeffre, LCSW; is our Social Worker of the Year. Ms. Jeffre is the Executive Director of Success 4 Kids & Families in Tampa.
David Shaw is our Social Work Student of the Year. David is a BSW at Saint Leo University's Downtown Tampa Education Center.
Theresa Hickie is our Public Citizen of the Year. Ms. Hickie is the Senior Director of Sports Programming at the Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center
Congresswoman Kathy Castor is our Elected Official of the Year. She represents the Fourteenth District of FL
April CE Workshop
I hope you will all consider attending our next CE Workshop on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 11 am to 2 pm. Ms. Josephine Krehl, LCSW will offer a 2 CE workshop on Medical Cannabis. You may register on this page under Upcoming Events.. It will be held at Allegro Hyde Park in Tampa. There will be complementary light refreshments and free parking.
Board Meeting
On April 13-14, I will attend the quarterly Board of Directors Meeting for our NASW FL Chapter. As the representative of the Tampa Bay Unit, I solicit any concerns or questions you'd like me to present at the Board Meeting. Simply email at tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org. I will offer everyone feedback on this Board meeting in my next update.
USF Pinning Ceremony
April will also see our Unit Vice Chair, Ms. Sharon Barber participating in a pinning ceremony at USF while I do likewise at Saint Leo University's Downtown Education Center in Tampa.
Professional Social Workers Panel
Looking into the future, we'll be working with our BSW Student Representatives, Ms. Jaqualla Grimes and Ms. Marlene Aboytes to present a panel of professional social workers. The panel will discuss their respective career challenges as well as answer questions from an audience of students.
Voter Registration
Finally, I ask everyone to ensure that you are registered to vote as soon as possible. On November 6, 2018 every member of the U.S. House of Representatives will stand for election. Also, FL will choose a new governor and elect a U.S. Senator. From my standpoint, the stakes could not be higher and I urge all of you to vote for the candidates that best support the social justice concerns of our NASW Code of Ethics.
Cheers!
Jack
As a member benefit, Jack Smith is offering to review resumes from Unit Members. In doing so, Jack will lend his 40 years of NASW experience in offering suggestions to members seeking to "fine tune" their resumes. Further, he will offer tips for successful interviewing. You can contact Jack for details regarding this offer by emailing him at tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org.
As always, feel free to submit your ideas to make our Tampa Bay Unit better. Currently, we're in need for ideas to increase our membership and ensure that you receive maximum "bang" for all of your annual dues "bucks." If you have ideas or wish to volunteer, please contact Jack at tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May
May 5, 2018 • Clearwater, FL
*NASW-FL Tampa Bay Unit presents "Evaluating Suicide Risk in Adults" with Elizabeth Ruegg, LCSW, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Garden House, Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health. Registration is $5 for NASW members; $15 for non NASW Members; Free for BSW and MSW Students, retired NASW members and Unemployed NASW members.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!
UNIT LEADERSHIP
Jack Smith, LCSW - Unit Chair
tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org
Unit Vice Chair
Sharon Barber
Chapter Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification (CCNLI)
Stacy Kratz
Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee
David LaPensee
Membership
Robin Waters
Newsletter
Vacant
Legislative
Brittany Peters
491 Board Liaison
Susan Infanzon
Chapter Supervisory Task Force
Nancy Gordon
Susan Infanzon
Ethics
Stacy Kratz
MSW Representative
Sarah Jenkins
BSW Representatives
Marlene Aboytes
Jaqualla Grimes