Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2016
20152016
WELCOME! As we begin t he new semest er and look t oward st art ing new project s The Social Work Student Association would like to take this opportunity to invite you to explore what we've been working on this year and join us in celebrating our achievements. In this newsletter, you'll find information on the work we've done, our ongoing projects, and exciting opportunities coming up this spring. You'll also be able to get a look at some of our members in action around the community and having fun at our meetings. We're excited to share this information with you, and we hope that this newsletter provides an opportunity for students who are not able to attend meetings to feel empowered to provide constructive input about what we are working on. We hope that we can continue to take on projects that represent the student voice and look forward to hearing your suggestions and new ideas.
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO? Our members started working over the summer to begin planning our actions for the fall semester. We identified a mission statement and started planning for our first speaking event at the Junior orientation in August. We also officially selected our officers for the year (listed on the following page). 1
Social Work Student Association facebook.com/HSU-Social-Work-Student-
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Once the semester got in full swing, we shifted our focus on to student affairs. We elected a student liaison to attend department meetings in order to ensure that the student voice was being heard in department decisions. We advocated for and got questions answered about issues that students expressed concerns about last year such as class selection and making the social work student lounge more functional for students. Throughout the rest of the year, our liaison will continue to attend meetings and will bring back department issues for us to weigh in on.
The SWSA also got involved in the community last semester.We participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk, a fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Later in the semester, one of our members partnered with Check It to become a member of their launch team, with events starting later in the year. In October, the SWSA participated in the Indigenous Rising Day of Action demonstration on campus (pictured above) to show our support for Indigenous People's week and climate justice. 2
YOUR 2016 OFFICERS -
Whitney Polk, President Jeremy M uhleck, Vice President N icole Winters, Treasurer Rachel Waldman, Secretary Graciela H aas, Student Liasion to the Social Work Department
Social Work Student Association facebook.com/HSU-Social-Work-Student-
Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2016
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WE WANT YOUR INPUT! cause that you're passionate about and would like to see us take action on? Get in touch with us! Whether you're a distance learner, master's student, or someone yet to enroll in the program, we want to be an accessible and helpful resource for you.
The Social W ork St udent Associat ion wants to be a resource to all social work students, regardless of membership status or grade level. As mentioned above, we are committed to maintaining a presence at department meetings. We feel that we are positioned to advocate for causes that are important to the student body, but we need YOUR diverse input to do so. H ave a concern that you would like us to bring up at a department meeting? Is there a
Follow us on Facebook, come to one of our meetings (Tuesdays at 5PM in BSS 402), or email us at swsa@humboldt.edu and tell us how we can help you.
LOOKING AHEAD
This semest er t he SW SA has many excit ing t hings in t he works. Within the week, we'll begin selling shirts and sweatshirts to fundraise for Lobby Days, a two day event in Sacramento where we'll learn how to lobby on behalf of a bill currently in the legislative session. We'll also be partnering with Check It to put on a film screening and provide outreach assistance during their Title IX week. Toward the end of the semester, we will be participating in the annual Bowl for Kid's Sake, a fundraiser for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the N orth Coast. In additional to these events, we have several other events that are in the planning stage. Come join us and help plan our next event!
The winning sweatshirt design, courtesy of Tory Eagles
SWSA meetings are held every Tuesday at 5PM in BSS 402 3