Join the Teleconference on Disenrollment from National on 1/23/12 at 4:00 pm PST - Open to All Current and Former Members

The Washington State Chapter will hold a teleconference call to answer member questions and discuss the pros and cons in further detail on January 23, 2012 at 4:00pm. The conference number is: 1-800-444-2801 Conference Code: 6826158. Former members are also welcome to participate and give input.

History

In the past, the Washington State health care social workers could join the local SSWLHC chapter with the option of also joining the National organization, for an extra fee. Then, about a year ago, a transition to required National membership began. Members received free membership in National so they could sample the benefits. Then, the National organization transitioned to mandatory membership in order to be a part of the Washington State chapter. Our organization supported the transition at that time. In June 2011, the national organization sent dues statements to all members for the 2011-2012 membership year, with a new renewal date of July 1 annually. Members no longer pay separate national and local chapter dues. The national organization bills for memberships and rebates $35 to the Washington State Chapter for every national member affiliated with the local chapter.

All local chapter members are required to be national members in order to maintain Washington State Chapter membership.

The following is a list of membership categories:

SSWLHC Dues Structure (inclusive of $35)

• MANAGEMENT: $175
• DIRECT PATIENT CARE: $120
• TRANSITIONAL, EMERITUS, or FACULTY: $120
• ASSOCIATE: $200
• STUDENT: $90

Benefits of National/State Membership

• Professional journal Social Work in Health Care and Social Work Leader published quarterly
• Access to Best Practice Standards / Toolkits and publications including topics on leadership, supervision, aging, cultural competency and more
• Reduced rates for continuing education: distance learning publications with CEU’s, webinars and the annual conference (in San Francisco this year)
• National networking opportunities with a 700 member organization
  • Member Discussion Forum
  • Weekly e-blasts on upcoming events and news
  • E-resource list (coming soon) with questions / answers posted by members on various healthcare and social work topics
• International and national representation and voice for healthcare and social work practice with strategic partners and other social work membership organizations
• Leadership development including the Leadership Institute conducted during the national conference
• National, regional and local leadership opportunities and recognition

Additional Washington State Chapter Benefits:

Your Washington State Chapter is stronger than ever! We have an active board of social work leaders addressing social policy, educational and networking needs of local social workers, and funding student education to develop new leaders. If our local chapter disenrolls, we will have to choose a new name, new logo, and form a new non-profit organization.

• Quarterly Newsletters
• Reduced cost seminars with CEUs
• $2000 Annual MSW Scholarship
• Website: www.sswlhc-wa.org
• List-serve through Yahoo Groups
• Free job postings for members

What is new this year at the local chapter?

• Membership roster includes skills bank information -- cataloging the expertise of local members so that you can network more effectively
• Facebook: (www.facebook.com/SSWLHC.WA) in addition to our long standing web and list serve social media supports
• On-line registration for local seminars

Participate in the Washington State Disenrollment Teleconference
January 23, 2012, at 4 pm. - Call 1-800-444-2801 - Code #6826158

Learn more about National membership at http://www.sswlhc.org/html/mbr-benefits.php.

For more information, contact Selena Bolotin, SSWLHC-WA Membership Chair, 206-288-2472 or selenab@qualishealth.org or Brian Giddens, SSWLHC-WA President, 206-598-7910 or bgiddens@u.washington.edu or Mike Hays, SSWLHC-WA President Elect, 206-930-3421 or hays.m@ghc.org.

Updated 1/16/12