Conference Expectations

Every year, we have students who are attending conference for the first time.  Often times, we hear ‘wow, I had no idea conference was like this, I’m so glad I came.’  As you prepare for conference, here are a few items to note and ideas to keep in mind. 

As an African-Centered organization for African Descendants, the preferred attire is African Garb or attire.  Please note, it is not mandatory but many conferees will have on African attire.  If this is your first conference, you may want to consider having African attire for the Cenie “Jomo” Williams luncheon and Harambee Ceremony.  If you only have one piece of attire, the Harambee Ceremony is the gathering to wear it.  If you do not have any attire, many of the vendors at conference have pieces you can purchase at very reasonable price. 

At the Harambee Ceremony, chapter Presidents or their Designee are asked to share a monetary gift with the host chapter.  Please be sure to discuss with your chapter members and decide on the amount of the gift prior to coming to conference.  Additionally, you will hear many African terms and phrases used.  Listed below, are some of the common words and phrases you will hear.

.  Hotep—Peace

.  Harambee—Pulling together for a common cause

.  Ma’at—Truth and Justice

.  Ashe – Amen or so be it (ahh-shea)

.  Sankofa—Reaching back in order to move forward

.  Mwanafunzi—Student. (Mah-won-uh-fun-zee)

.  Umoja- Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the

     family and the community, which is reflected in the African

    saying, “I am We,” or “I am because We are.” (ooh-moe-jah)

.  Kujichagulia—Self-determination requires that we define our

     common interests and make decisions that in the best interest of

     our family and community (koo-gee-cha-goo-lee-yah)

.  Ujima—Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our

     obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to

     play in the community, society, and world. (ooh-gee-mah)

. Ujamaa—Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective

      economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs

      through mutual support. (ooh-jah-mah)

. Zawadi—gift.  It is an African tradition that a heartfelt gift is

      shared with the young people of the villages.  In the spirit of this

      tradition, NABSW chapters share a monetary gift with the host

      chapter of the National Conference.  The host chapter then shares

      this gift with a community organization with like and similar

      values of NABSW.

. Asha—God’s Will

. Asante Sana—Thank You

. Habari Gani—What’s the News? Or What’s Happening?

 

Winter 2014 Newsletter!!!

Winter Newsletter 2014 Final by NABSWOSA

NABSW Conference Payment Options Survey

Hotep Family,

OSA is conducting a survey to measure the opinion of the students in regards to having the option of partial payments for National Conference. We believe this option would be beneficial to students, by allowing them to make payments towards their registration as opposed to one lump sum. Please complete this very brief survey and tell us your thoughts. YOUR OPINION MATTERS!!! Thank you.

NABSW Office of Student Affairs...

Here is a link to the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GG6HPCG

Social Workers Needed

RESEARCH STUDY ENTITLED:
Developing Resilience in Families Post Parental Incarceration: Identification of Social Workers’ Practices with Family Group Conferencing

YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED & GREATLY APPRECIATED

The Desired Outcome: Develop Best Practices for Social Workers Using Family Group Conferencing, especially if you have worked with families who have experienced a parental incarceration

The exploration of social worker’s experiences will aid in determining whether or not social work practices with Family Group Conference post parental incarceration is effective. The findings will influence the development of best practices for this specific population, families experiencing a parental incarceration. These outcomes will influence social change via policy, legislation, and services provided.

I need you to help me make a difference. Take a giant step and be heard by participating in this research study.

Please contact me to receive your participant packet with additional information:
Renata A.Hedrington Jones, MSW
renata.hedringtonjones@waldenu.edu
804-507-0408

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DevelopingResilienceinFamiliesRAHJones

Nelson Mandela

 

NABSW has had a long and storied history with South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and the African National Congress.  As I spent moments in my daily ritual of meditation and reflection, I could not get Nelson Mandela out of my mind.  When I get tired and discouraged, I call upon our ancestors, Tubman, Malcolm, Garvey and Martin to get me back on track.  My struggles are nothing compared with theirs. I will now add Mandela to my inspirational list.

 

When I think of South Africa, in addition to Mandela, I also think of my predecessors Cenie Williams and Lenny Dunston who led us to that country when it suffered under apartheid and when it threw off the chains of oppression.  Through their perseverance, NABSW connected with the people and the cause of liberation and in our small way we assisted in the freeing of Mandela.  For those unaware, NABSW’s entire delegation in 2012 was invited to a State Dinner by the South African Parliament leaders and NABSW was conferred the status of being a full member of the ANC, an honor rarely given to non-South Africans.

Mandela, a Xhosa, was affectionately called Madiba, the name of the Thembu clan to which he belonged.  But more importantly, to many of us and the children of the world, Mandela is the embodiment of Tata, which means “esteemed Father,” also in his native tongue.  Tata Mandela was the glowing example of how you put Ma’at into action.

 

Ma’at is the African Centered understanding of how the universe functions and is best described as a clear understanding of truth, justice, righteousness, balance, order, harmony, propriety and reciprocity.  In the South African Constitution, Mandela made sure that those principles were made part of that important document.  Our Constitution in the United States, for example, never mentions the words, justice or truth.  Can it be because we have no concepts of truth or justice in the United States worthy of the written words?
 

Mandela demonstrated through his life that African people are the hope and the salvation for the world.  No other philosophies, principles, religion and ways of living could have resulted in the progress seen in South Africa in 20 years, that have not been accomplished in over 200 years in the United States.  Such changes as voter participation, equitable political representation, over two million homes built for the poor, salaries increased over 300% for the lowest paid workers, universal electricity and universal healthcare are but to name a few of the steps forward.  Humanity began not too far from where Mandela will have his final rest, but his work to restore humanity in all of us shall always be a challenge that we should accept and accomplish.  The transition back to humanity is our continual job in the future and in our present time.  Mandela through his life’s example has laid the foundation for our work.

 

Let us not cry for Mandela but celebrate his life through song, dance and remembrances.  Let us stand strong against the oppression and inhumanity that still plagues our world.  Let us work to build on the legacy of President Nelson Mandela, focusing all of our efforts to eliminate illness, hunger, homelessness, pain, suffering, injustice and inequality. 

 

Tata Mandela did much, and let us thank the Creator that he, Tata, left challenges for us to complete using and acting in our Way, the Way of Ma’at. Ase! Ase! Ase!

Joe E. Benton
President

Call for Submissions: Newsletter

Please submit entries, photos, poetry, articles etc for the Winter edition of the OSA Newsletter to osa.secretary1@gmail.com.

Thank you

Ti Dandy
OSA Secretary

2014-2015 Scholarship Application

2014-2015 Scholarship Application(FINAL)

NABSW 2013 Holiday Greetings

In the spirit of the season, I wish you peace, love and plenty. 

The next five weeks is always a special time of renewal and festivities. We embrace family and friends; we remember our ancestors and we nourish ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is a time to reflect and to hope for better and more fruitful times. It is a time of prayer to our Creator and meditation, so in our silence, we may hear and understand the answer which the Creator has given.

This is a powerful time, a Holy time and I sincerely wish you all the best during this time and hope that each day produces happiness and health for my family and equally important, my extended family of NABSW. I also wish, that the world would come to embrace and respect humanity in all its forms. Toward those ends, I would want all of us to continue our work of making this world a better place to live, work, love and play.

On a personal note, I thank the Creator, daily, for giving me the opportunity to be a part of each of you. Our lives are richer because of what we do with and for our people in the true spirit of Harambee. 

Please enjoy the holiday season, and know that you make a difference in this world. In gratitude, thanks for all that you do.

With warmest regards,

Joe Benton
President

1st Annual Symposium on African-Centered Social Work: Introduction to African-Centered Social Work

      

  SAVE THE DATE:

January 11, 2014

1pm to 3pm

Bryn Mawr College GSSWSR

Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Facilitator: Dr. Thaddeus P. Mathis

Contact: Sharon Kimber

skiimber@brynmawr.edu

Black Family Development celebrates 35th Anniversary

Black Family Development, Inc is excited about the approaching gala on December 5, 2013, celebrating its 35^th Anniversary.  The article above (photo) appeared in the Michigan Chronicle newspaper.  This is the largest African American publication in Detroit. 

This is a great time for not only Black Family Development, Inc. to celebrate, but NABSW as well.  For the last 35 years, in all of our publications, including the attached news article, we salute the genesis of our existence, which was borne out of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Black Social Workers.  

MEMBERSHIP

Introducing: the Fall 2013 OSA Newsletter

Fall Newsletter_2013.docx by NABSWOSA

MEMBERSHIP:

Hotep Family!

The Chapter Renewal documents have been sent out, if you are a President or Advisor and did not receive them please contact the National Office.

MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE IS OCT 31st!!!

Only paid members can apply for scholarships and get the student rate for Conference registration.

If you need help with Chapter Renewal or your chapter is having challenges please contact
Eric Thornton, 2nd Vice President at osa.vicepres2@gmail.com

FYI: In order to participate in the Sankofa mentoring project you MUST be a paid member!

Treasurer Quarterly Conference Call

Tonight: TREASURERS Quarterly Conference Call                                                                        Time: 7:30 pm Eastern Standard Time
Dial In Number: (1) 626-677-3000
Access Code: 550109

2013-2014 OSA Officer Conference Call Schedule

President	·      Monday, September 30, 2013  8pm EST ·      Monday, January 27, 2014        8pm EST ·      Monday, March 30, 2014           8pm EST ·      Monday, June 30, 2014               8pm EST	Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 74341 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 74341 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 74341 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: TBA
Vice President’s	·      Sunday, August 18, 2013            7pm CT - 8pm EST ·      Sunday, November 10, 2013      7pm CT -8pm EST ·      Sunday, February 9, 2013           7pm CT- 8pm EST ·      Sunday, June 15 2014                   7pm CT -8pm EST	Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109
Secretary	·      Thursday, September 12, 2013 7pm EST ·      Thursday, December 12, 2013  7pm EST ·      Thursday, March 13, 2014         7pm EST ·      Thursday, June 12, 2014             7pm EST	Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109
Parliamentarian	·      Sunday, September 15, 2013   6pm EST ·      Sunday, December 15, 2013    6pm EST ·      Sunday, March 16, 2014            6pm EST ·      Sunday, June 15, 2014                6pm EST	Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109
Treasurer	·      Sunday, September 29, 2013    7:30 pm EST ·      Sunday, December 8, 2013        7:30 pm EST ·      Sunday, January 12, 2014          7:30 pm EST ·      Sunday June 8, 2014                    7:30 pm EST	Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109 Dial-In # 626-677-3000     Access Code: 550109

THE TIME IS NOW!

                                      Office of Governor Rick Scott
                                       State of Florida
                                       The Capitol

Joe E. Benton President Columbia, SC J. Toni Oliver Vice President Atlanta, GA TracyL. Golliday-Champagne Recording Secretary Detroit, MI Sondera Malry Corresponding Secretary Houston, TX Constance Watson Treasurer Los Angeles, CA Dayvid H. Brown Member-at -Large Indianapolis, IN Dr. Yvonette Powell Member-at -Large San Diego, CA Lea Andrews OSA President Univ.ofSouthern California Los Angeles, CA Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts ImmediatePast President Missouri City, TX Terrence A. Bradford National Office Manager Washington, DC

400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Dear Governor Scott;

On behalf of the National Association of Black Social Workers, we ask that Ms. Marissa Alexander’s sentence be commuted with time served.

Victims of domestic violence, in stressful situations, with their abusive partners tend to act erratically.  However, in the closed confines of a home, where it is nearly impossible to miss a target, Ms. Alexander did just that.  Her intent by any reasonable person could be interpreted as protecting self from a known violent abuser, rather seeking to do bodily harm.  She has been confined for over two years.   It is now time that some sense of justice is carried out and for her to be released.

The punishment did not fit the crime.  Ms. Alexander has been deprived of her freedom and normal family life for too long.  Ms. Alexander has a very young child to provide care.  Though reasonable minds may differ over the justification for her conviction, few would agree that the crime merited such harsh punishment. 

In the context of fundamental fairness, it is time that justice is done for Ms. Marissa Alexander.  Justice demands that she be released and as quickly as possible.  She has been punished for far too long.

Thank you for investigating this petition on behalf of commutation for her.  Make our system fair and just by expediting her release.

Sincerely,

Joe E. Benton, President

National Association of Black Social Workers