For many who have attended the ethics training that I facilitate, you will have heard my story of how I came to social work. Early experiences with children and youth in an outdoor setting coupled with my passion for social justice and change, and journey of self-discovery.
Creative resilience
Each year as I review the annual report submissions by the various committees of the College, my choice to enter the profession of social work is reinforced. The submissions unveil a snapshot of the work being done by social workers across Nova Scotia. It paints a clear picture of what hope, care and empathy look like when they are made central to human services. While 2020 was a very tough year for many, what it made clear for all was the fundamental role that professional caring plays in our society. As governments shift agendas to address the core needs of Nova Scotians, social workers have continued to be there with the policy ideas that are needed, the skills to mobilize and organize core programs, and leadership in areas of grief, mental health, justice, and families and children. I am proud to be a social worker and believe that this year’s Social Work Month theme captured the role of social work in 2020: Social Work is Essential.
Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW Registrar/Executive Director
This year’s annual report reflects that the College is an active community working in the interest of the public towards broader social change. We are a notable, visible, and progressive voice for change.
6 Connection | Fall 2019
When I came to this role five years ago, I hoped that I would be able to support the mobilization of the profession’s values and principles towards greater social change, and aimed to build the College as a progressive organization leading change. It was a choice that required substantial change to the organization. It has required building capacity and the tools to capture the spirit of the already incredible work happening in the social work community across Nova Scotia, while working to maintain the highest ethical and practice standards for the public. The path forward has involved cultivating solid relationships with members, building credibility, and engaging with the wider community to challenge existing structures, in order to bring to life the vision that members have for the College when they adopted our strategic plan in 2018. When I read through the submissions of this year’s annual report and the many contributions from the College’s six dedicated staff, its volunteers and our allies, I am inspired and motivated by these glimpses into the day-to-day work of our community, which align with my motivation for joining to enter our profession in the first place. This year’s annual report reflects that the College is an active community working in the interest of the public towards broader social change. We are a notable, visible, and progressive voice for change. Our reports and commentary continue to be picked up and utilized by political decision-makers and the media. We are generating political and public discourse towards our strategic vision, while supporting service delivery by engaging with major employers around adapting policy to promote social work professionalism. This last year, our committees have put forward programs and key documents to challenge the dominant discourse, support social workers in their practice, and protect the public.
