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Building Connection
BUILDING CONNECTION
BY HAROLD BEALS, EDITORIAL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Connection was introduced in its original form 52 years ago, shortly after the creation of our organization in 1963. The first issue of the newsletter was produced in 1966, with the goal of providing a connection between the organization and its members, the social workers of Nova Scotia. One of the first editors, Robert Doyle, outlined the beginning of editorial policy for the newsletter by eloquently stating:
The first issue of the new magazine format of Connection was published in October 2017 and is a radical change from the previous formats used over the past five decades. It began as a vehicle to connect the new organization and its members, and what we see now is a full-coloured professional digital magazine, comparable to that of any professional body within the country. It still functions as a means of connecting members to the College, but also to our colleagues in academia and in other professions. This has been made possible by our innovative staff and editorial committee, our former promotions coordinator Collette Deschenes, and the creative direction of a local company, Brittany Pickrem Branding & Design. Each issue is available on the College’s website to read and download, with a select number of hard copies available to select members, government, community and advocacy groups.
We have established six subject areas with editorial guidelines to assist contributors in deciding to write an article for Connection. The topics include Ethics in Action; Social Justice; Private Practice; Diverse Communities; Research; and a Social Worker Spotlight (to celebrate the often untold stories of social workers doing great things). There is also an advertising policy for organizations and others who wish to communicate their message and connect with the province’s over 2000 social workers. Advertising rates are dependent on the amount of space requested, with an additional discount for members.
Over the next year we will be looking for new committee members to join the ongoing development of the magazine and select stories and themes to pursue. We look forward to publishing book reviews; research by Dalhousie School of Social Work faculty and students; social work perspectives from the Acadian, African Nova Scotian and indigenous communities; military social work stories, and more.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Harold Beals (Chair), Alec Stratford (staff), Bessie Harris, Annemieke Vink (staff), Shalyse Sangster (Co-Chair), Laurie Ogilvie (student), Linda Turner, Jodi Butler, Collette Deschenes (staff)
Contribute to Connection Magazine
Have something to say to Nova Scotia social workers? Visit the College website for editorial guidelines, advertising rates, and more:
https://nscsw.org/connection
