December Update
Welcoming our Executive Director:
SWAA is excited to announce the hiring of our Executive Director! Harold Pliszka, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker with over 20 years of leadership in non-profit and for-profit sectors. SWAA's interim board is delighted to welcome Harold to SWAA as we work together to create the future of the Social Workers Association of Alberta. Stay tuned for more information about Harold!
SWAA social media:
SWAA is building opportunities to interact with you! We are carefully curating our social media platforms and connections. Check us out on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, follow us, and watch for live content coming soon!
MySWAA.ca:
We are flexing our new website wings, and we want you to see us take flight! When you visit us at MySWAA.ca, remember to hit subscribe and share your email. This allows us to connect with you and keep you up to date with news and announcements.
November Update
New Association Website Launch
Head over to MySWAA.ca to check out our newly designed website! This site brings us closer to hearing directly from all of you, Alberta's social workers. MySWAA.ca is your hub for updates, options to sign up to get more information and exciting announcements. Visit MySWAA.ca today to learn more about the new Social Workers Association of Alberta!
Please visit their website MySWAA.ca
October Update
Three more days to have your say: What do you hope SWAA will offer you? Our survey is still open, with over 200 replies so far. Your responses have informed our efforts to recruit our Executive Director and highlighted what's important to potential members. Share your thoughts by September 30, 2022!
We are hiring!: September 30th is the final day to apply for the role of SWAA's first Executive Director. We are looking for candidates that value relationships, advocate for change and bring an innovative approach to unifying Alberta social workers. Hiring an executive director will equip SWAA for success and help engage members quickly and effectively - all part of the Interim Board's goal to establish SWAA as a viable and sustainable organization.
Why did the Association form?: To support and promote the profession and its members! The Government of Alberta required all health professions with both regulatory and membership interests under the same organization to go through a process of divestment (Bill 46). SWAA's purpose is to build our collective voice, and serve the interests of social workers like you.
Make connections: The survey let us know which platforms social workers are most likely to use. Watch for SWAA's launch in coming weeks on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
September Update
Summer Flurry
While it might not be snowing, there has been a flurry of activity with the SWAA interim board.
It's official: The Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA) is now officially a legal entity. High fives all around! We can now set up a bank account, financials and technology.
Take our survey: We continue to think about ways to bring together the collective interests and voices of Alberta social workers. The interim board wants to hear from you, our potential members. Please take our new survey, available on the ACSW website, to share how the association can bring value to you.
August Update
Here's what's new with the Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA):
Growing our leadership: The interim board has elected a Vice President. Please join us in welcoming Rasheal Charles as the SWAA Vice-President!
Building a presence: SWAA's interim logo and brand colours have been selected. This is a critical step in giving our new association a look and feel that reflects who we are and how we'll be recognized. We're also finalizing SWAA's social media channels and web address. We look forward to sharing these with Alberta social workers.
Let's get engaged: A survey is coming soon to gather feedback from our potential members. To share your input, watch for a survey link in an upcoming news update!
Operational effectiveness: We have filed our incorporation paperwork so the Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA) will soon be a legal entity! We have now focused our attention on developing policies and recruiting the first employee to support association operations.
July Update
Survey says...: The Interim board met with Anne-Marie McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the University of Calgary's Faculty of Social Work. She shared findings from a survey of Alberta social workers, including priorities for the new social work association.
Let's get engaged: Timelines, budget and membership fees have generated dynamic discussion. Next step - a thorough member engagement process to get your input. Stay tuned!
Our to-do list: Our bylaws have been submitted! Organizational policies are our next focus.
Important steps: We will be selecting an Interim Board Vice President to be compliant with our bylaws, as well as identifying a job description and initial tasks for an Executive Director.
June Update
CASW benefits: We are working with the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) to ensure Alberta social workers continue to enjoy the benefits of CASW through membership with SWAA. Advantages of belonging to CASW include access to FREE professional development, discounted professional liability insurance, and the ability to advance social justice at the national level.
Meeting neighbours: We met with the BC Association of Social Workers to learn about their structure, membership and services.
Bylaw building: Bylaws should be finalized and sent for incorporation by the end of June.
Connecting with social workers: Planning around marketing, communications and association recruitment is underway.
May Update
We are designing what the new social worker Association will offer to its members. Through conversations with social workers, ACSW and other key partners, we aim to better understand member needs so the Association's services are valued when they are launched.
We are finalizing the new Association's bylaws so that we can submit the application to incorporate as an association.
An interim brand (name, logo, colours and slogan) is being developed. This work will support the new Association website and social media accounts. These are key elements that are needed going forward for communicating directly with Social Workers in Alberta.
In the meantime, we will continue to share news through the ACSW e-newsletter and here, on the
New Association page on the ACSW website.