Welcome to the  NASW-NYS Western Division

Contact:
Denise Krause, Western@naswnys.org
Voicemail: 1-800-724-6279 ext 35

Western Division Members,

Thank you to the 63 survey respondents (about 9% of our division’s membership).  Your input will be helpful in planning for the Division.  Below are the results of the survey, but please know that you are welcome to give input into the Division planning at any time. NASW Western Division Survey Results 2007

Congratulations to the Winners of the Gift Card Prize Drawings:
Colleen Walker and Bonnie Collins

Denise Krause, Western Division Director

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Dear Western Division Social Workers:

Congratulations on locating the NASW website and this page.  If you are like me you haven’t taken the opportunity to log onto the NASWNYS website for most of your professional career.  Also if you are like me, you have trusted the NASW to act in your best interest.  You might peruse the mailings and attend an event now and then.  You may even have signed up to volunteer to help out in special circumstances.  I have thought for the better part of my social work career “I pay my dues and I vote, what more do I need to do?  If I need the NASW they are there”.  Well, that was before. 

Today I write this as the newly appointed Western Division Director for 2007-2008.  The obvious question I asked myself when I accepted this appointment was “what is different now?”  What about now lets me know that being involved in a very public way is a not only a great idea but a worthy personal and professional commitment?  What is so different that for me to truly feel empowered as a social worker I need to actively take part in my professional organization?  I have answered these questions in multiple ways for myself during the past couple of months.  More importantly I used this opportunity to talk with active members throughout the Western Division about their many years (sometimes decades) of involvement with the NASW.  I learned that I waited much too long to enjoy the solidarity, support and mission that this core of dedicated social workers worked very hard to create.  I also realized that if I want the causes they have championed to hold strong over time, I need to do my part. 

I hope my brief story strikes a cord with you.  You ventured onto this webpage in search of an answer, information, or out of curiosity.  I invite you to explore the similar questions that I asked of myself - What prompted you to come here today? What lets you know that today is the day you are going to link your history as a social worker with your future in the Western Division NASW?

I look forward to your participation in the Western Division!  Please feel free to contact me at Western@naswnys.org or 800-724-6279 x35.

Best regards,

Denise Krause,
Social Worker