As the 2016 election heats up and with the Iowa caucuses right around the corner, join us on Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. EST for this #MacroSW chat for a timely conversation about politics happening right now and the social worker’s role in this election season.
Our participation in the political process is instrumental in creating advocacy efforts and change for our clients. We also have an opportunity to position important policy issues for debate during this election and impact getting the vote out to have our voices heard.
#MacroSW chat will host this discussion periodically to focus on the intersection between politics and social work as a core value of macro practice. Our goal is to keep this non-partisan and we welcome all political points of view.
Questions
- What do you think are the most important issues for social work to be addressed this election season? (i.e. immigration, healthcare)
- Did candidates in the recent presidential debates address issues important to your work?
- Are you aware of, or participating in any get out the vote efforts? Please share them.
- What else should social workers be doing to participate in this year’s election?
This week (Jan. 21) let’s reflect on the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade (#ReproJustice) and how participation in the political process made this decision possible and has positively impacted the lives of women in the U.S.
References
- Statement by the President on the 42nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
- What’s Ahead in the Long, Long Road to the 2016 Presidential Election, PBS, November 3, 2015
- Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP) Resources and Links
- NASW’s Action Center to Track Legislation and View Election Maps
- Find an NASW Chapter in Your State
- Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE), political action arm of the National Association of Social Workers.
- Courts Are Shaking Up House Elections in 2016, Bloomberg Politics
- FiveThirtyEightPolitics
- Dr. Richard Cloward and the Motor Voter Act
- Rock the Vote to engage young people to vote
- The Political Social Worker Rachel West
Source: #MacroSW Chat on 1/21 Discusses Politics Happening Right Now
Karen Zgoda, LMSW 