2008-2009 Student Group Organizations

• Student Advisory Council
  The Student Advisory Council of the School of Social Work consists of elected student leaders who strive to create and build an ongoing relationship with the SSW Administration and Faculty to uphold the School of Social Work stated mission and values of promoting social and economic justice, both within the school and community. The SAC does this by facilitating communication between the student body and the SSW Faculty and Administration through advocacy, active engagement, and support. Representatives are elected from the bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs.
  Faculty Adviser: Margaret Spearmon, spearmon@u.washington.edu
• Organization of Student Social Workers (OSSW)
  We are a group of 14 students, all of whom have been elected by the undergrads at the SSW. We have different committees, ranging from fundraising to community activities to mentor to practicum. We provide student representation for the Student Advisory Council, and practicum and curriculum committees in the School. Our main goal is to get the undergrad students involved in this SSW community, as well as the larger community.
  Student Contact: Jaycee Chan,chanjc@u.washington.edu (BASW)
  Adviser: Linda Ruffer, 206-543-8617, rufferl@u.washington.edu
• The Disability Committee
  Students, faculty, and staff interested in disability issues at the School of Social Work, University of Washington, or nationally.
  Faculty Contact: Jean Kruzich, 206-543-7965, kruzichj@u.washington.edu
• The Association of Black Social Work Students (ABSWS) is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services, and research. Our purpose is to provide a structure and forum through which student members can exchange ideas, offer support, and develop programs in the interest of the Black student body and the Black community.
  Faculty Contact: Zynovia Hetherington, zynovia@u.washington.edu
• Social Work Q's: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit, & Intersex Students, Faculty and Staff, and their Allies
  Social and support group for students at the SSW. Go to the Social Q's Website: http://www.ssw.washington.edu/glbtq
  Faculty Contact: Taryn Lindhorst, tarynlin@u.washington.edu.
• Jewish Social Workers
  The Jewish Social Workers Club is a diverse group of individuals consisting of students, faculty, and staff who are interested in creating a space for Jews and friends in the school of Social Work. We welcome all individuals interested in exploring Jewish identity and social work (including religious Jews, secular Jews, questioning Jews, and friends). We meet quarterly and hold both secular and religious events which work to build Jewish community both inside the School of Social Work and in the larger University of Washington Community.
  Faculty contact: James Delong, Co-chair, 206-685-3173 delongj@u.washington.edu
  Email forum/discussion list: jewishSW@u.washington.edu
• Muslim Students of Social Work (MSSW)The MSSW is dedicated to educating students, faculty, staff and neighboring communities about the Islamic faith; addressing global issues of human rights and social injustice; and to proving that Islam advocates for the eradication of injustice all over the world.
  Contact: mssw@u.washington.edu
  http://students.washington.edu/mssw
• Christian Social Workers2008-2009 SSW Student Organizations The Christian Social Workers Club is a diverse group of students interested in discussing how the work of Jesus and the study and practice of Social Work intersect. We seek to encourage one another in our faith and welcome all individuals interested in exploring the role of faith in social justice work. We meet bi-monthly and have times of encouragement, discussion, meals and guest lectures which work to build Christian community in the School of Social Work and in our daily lives.
  Student contacts: Makeba Greene makeba@u.washington.edu and
  Michelle Desmondmdesmond@u.washington.edu
• MSW Program Committee
  Deals with aspects of the master’s program at the School. Includes representatives from students, practicum, faculty and administration.
  Administration Contact: Emiko Tajima, 206-221-7874, etajima@u.washington.edu
• National Association of Social Works (NASW)
  Only national organization serving needs of social work profession. Offers a wide range of professional services, benefits, and opportunities. Reduced rates for students, by degree level.
  State chapter: 522 N 85th St. Suite B100, Seattle, WA 98103
  Email: info@nasw-wa.org
  Chapter Website: www.naswdc.org/
  Phone Number: 206-706-7084
• Practicum Advisory Council
  Practicum Advisory council provides consultation to the faculty regarding MSW and BASW practicum curriculum, policies and procedures. Includes representatives from students, faculty, practicum instructors and the Director of Practicum.
  Faculty contact: J’May Rivara, 206-616-5792, email: jbr@u.washington.edu

SSW Student Organizations which have been active in the past.

The following are EXAMPLES of some SSW student-run organizations which have been active in the past. Groups listed below are not active each year – they continue only if students are able to provide organization and leadership.

Bridges of Color
Bridges of Color (BOC) is an organization led by and for students of color at the UW School of Social Work. BOC seeks to create a safe and supportive environment where students of color can build community with mutual respect and open dialogue. We are committed to shaping BOC to best fit the needs and goals of students of color and to forge bonds with staff and faculty of color.

Interfaith Alliance
This student group convened to address the concerns, contributions, and perspectives of people of faith at the School of Social Work. The SSW Interfaith Alliance’s mission is to promote a supportive environment for people of faith at the School of Social Work through conversation, organizing and advocacy on behalf of the voices, concerns and contributions of people of faith at the school and in the profession. This group welcomed people of any faith tradition or with any interest in examining the intersection of faith and social work.

International Social Work Club
The focus of the International Social Work Club is to combine the efforts of University of Washington MSW and BSW students, faculty, and community members to explore poverty, inequality, and injustice on a global scale. One goal of this club is to develop a comprehensive list of resources for employment contacts, practicum, and short-term international service projects. This group is also working on including courses focusing on international social welfare policy and plausible means to end poverty in the current MSW curriculum.

Multicultural Social Work Club
The Multicultural Social Work Club (MCSWC) is a student group led by and for students at the UW School of Social Work. The club focuses on providing BASW and MSW students’ opportunities to explore international practicum placements outside of the United States. The goal is to raise money for scholarships to be given to qualified students who are interested in doing an international practicum. The second focus of the club is to provide educational opportunities for students to learn about careers and social issues having to do with international social work.

Radical Social Work Forum
The Radical Social Work Forum provides a place for the exchange of ideas and formulation of action toward social change. We are dedicated to the pursuit of a just and equitable society as defined by its members and by other groups involved in mutual struggles. We are not satisfied, as is common in mainstream social work, to simply address the symptoms of problems but rather attempt to seize problems at their roots. We strive to be a dynamic and organic group whose goals are subject to revision as the interests, environment, and philosophies of its members change. We try to cultivate our collective wisdom to identify the problems and develop courage to act toward their resolution.

Social Workers Against Institutional Racism
Social Workers Against Institutional Racism (SWAIR) was initially born out of the experiences of students and faculty in the UW School of Social Work who had gone through The People's Institute Undoing Institutionalized Racism (UIR) training and saw a need to address issues of institutional racism within the school and university environment. Still a work in progress, SWAIR is a multi-racial group committed to engaging students of the SSW in dialogue on racism and involvement in school and community efforts to end racism.

Social Workers Involved in Native American Communities (SWINAC)
SWINAC's mission is to educate both native and non-native students about the services and programs available in the Seattle area for the Native American and Alaskan Natives (NA/AN) population. Membership is open to currently enrolled BASW and MSW students. Membership is not limited to Native American students, but an interest in working with the Native American population or learning more about the Native American community is a must.

White Allies Against Racism
White Allies Against Racism is a resource group concerned with improving white social workers' ability to understand their roles as allies of people of color; cope with their own losses related to racism and white privilege; come to terms with their own deeply ingrained racist scripts; identify subtler aspects of racism, white privilege, and internalized domination, particularly as they affect the way white folks work as allies and in leadership positions; identify ways in which racism conspires with other oppressions; rediscover sources of life and esteem in their heritage; draw support from each other and overcome mistrust; and draw support from colleagues of color in an appropriate, non-burdening fashion.

You should also feel welcome to start a new student group! Find interested people and contact Student Services for more info on how to do this, 543-8617.

There are many student-run clubs on “main” campus as well. You can find registered campus clubs by name or by category online at:
www.washington.edu/students/sao/

Rev. 3.13.09