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Chad Putman

The Northeast Division has been fortunate to have increased interest from student social workers over the past year.  To increase awareness, we conducted a Valentine event this year in which we gave cupcakes to social work students at the University at Albany.  Over the next year, we are planning on adding additional awareness events for students to increase involvement at the beginning of their professional life.

However, one student emerged on his own and contacted the division shortly after joining NASW in his second year of his MSW program.  This student called the division requesting information about meeting dates and wanting to come and talk with the group. At his very first meeting, everyone on the steering committee was impressed with his confidence and knowledge, but more importantly with his energy and enthusiasm for the profession.

Chad Putman was that student.  Chad’s background  is equally impressive.  Chad will be earning his MSW from the University at Albany in August 2009.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Binghamton University.  He has a range of experiences in the field including being a case manager, a family life specialist and a mental health intern with a variety of populations.  In addition to his work and practice experiences, Chad has found time to be an active board member of Rainbow Access Initiative, a group that is organized for charitable and educational purposes to increase the accessibility of health and human services to the LGBT community.  He is also one of the co-founder’s of the QSW at the University of Albany – an ad-hoc group of LGBT/MSW students and allies which hopes to become  formalized in the near future.  Chad received the 2008 Mark Hayes Service Award for professionalism, dedication, compassion, and effectiveness in health advocacy which is awarded by the Albany Law Clinic & Justice Center.

As a member of the Northeast Steering Committee, Chad has already helped to implement a division program on suicide prevention, organized a group of NASW members to attend and represent NASW at the recent Rainbow Access Initiative Awards Dinner, and has begun to plan a training for the division on LGBTQ Awareness/Sensitivity for Social Workers to be conducted in the Fall.

Recently, Chad was asked several questions regarding his involvement with NASW:

What prompted you to join?  “Although I have been aware of the NASW for several years.  I did not join until my last year of the MSW program.”

Why did you become actively involved?   “ I have a great deal of respect for what the NASW organization has been able to create.  As a proud Social Worker, I want to part of this national organization and help promote change on the local level.”

What motivated  you to join and become involved?   “The ability to be part of something larger.”

What do you see as the personal benefits to membership?  “Being able to attend the steering committee meetings, website resources, trainings and ability to network with other social workers.”

How do you see yourself as a contributing member? “  I like to offer up big ideas, ideas out-side the box, and challenge the status-quo.”

What have you gained from the experience? “  Incredible networking opportunities and the option to step up as a leader.”

We welcome Chad’s excitement and enthusiasm for the profession and are so pleased to have him as an integral member of the Northeast Division Team!

John Allegretti-Freeman, LCSW-R
Division Director
Northeast