Colleagues,
Information about the upcoming Social Work Day at the Legislature.
Hope to see you there!

Regards,
Jacki Englehardt
Coordinator, Professional & Community Education
WVU Division of Social Work

>>> <[log in to unmask]> 1/19/2010 9:59 PM >>>
Attention NASW Members: Please join your colleagues and social work
students around the state at NASW’s
 

SOCIAL WORK DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Culture Center and State Capitol (both on Capitol Grounds)

We hope to have a HUGE turnout from throughout the state to show our
Legislators that social workers are WATCHING them and are very
interested in
issues affecting our profession and the people we serve.
Social Work Day at the Legislature will feature educational
workshops,
resolutions in the House and Senate to honor the social work
profession, and
opportunities to meet with your elected representatives and observe
the
legislative process. The day will conclude with the annual reception
honoring
the contributions of West Virginia’s professional social workers.
NASW
members as well as social workers considering joining NASW are invited
 and
encouraged to attend. Social Work Day offers an invigorating
opportunity to
talk with your Legislators about issues important to our profession
and
those we serve.
Social Work Day at the Legislature is designed based on feedback
received
from participants who have previously attended. The training offered
is
especially useful to professional social workers and social work
students
interested in influencing public policy and the legislative process.

Continuing Education credit for WV licensed social workers are
available.
Please plan to join social workers and social work students throughout

West Virginia at

Social Work Day at the Legislature, February 3, 2010!
Who Should Attend
NASW Members, Social Workers and Social Work students who want a
greater
understanding of the policy issues affecting our profession. The focus
of
the day is educational, and is appropriate for public sector employees
and
all other participants. Social Work Day is a special continuing
education
and learning event held at the West Virginia State Capitol Complex and

involves public recognition of our profession, opportunities to meet
and see your
elected officials in action, and learn about legislation that affects
our
profession
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
 
 
Tentative Schedule**

8:30 AM Registration at the Capitol Culture Center (State
Capitol
Complex)--All participants should be pre-registered. Refreshments
provided.
(See Attached Registration Form.....NO FEE FOR NASW MEMBERS!)
*** TIP ** Capitol Complex Map available at:
_http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/citizens/guide.cfm_
(http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/citizens/guide.cfm)
9:00 - 10:30 AM Orientation to the Legislature, legislative process
and
what to expect at the Capitol. Several key Legislators are invited to

discuss topics of interest to social workers: Social Services, Social
Work
Safety, Child Welfare, Health Care, Women's Issues and more.
Governor Manchin is scheduled to meet with the participants
*** TIP ** MAXIMIZE YOUR PREPAREDNESS AND EFFECTIVENESS BY READING
NASW
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AHEAD OF TIME! These will be sent out shortly,

pending Board approval.

10:30 AM Move to Senate and House Visitor’s Galleries in Main

Capitol Building to watch legislators in action at floor sessions.
Resolutions
designating February 3, 2010 as "Social Work Day at the Legislature"
will be
presented on both the House and Senate floors.
Lunch: On your own. The Statehouse Cafeteria, located in the
basement
of the Main Capitol Building, is open from 11 to 2. A snack bar is
located
in the basement of the West Wing. Fast food restaurants, such as
Wendy's,
Subway, Rally's and Domino's, and other restaurant options, are
located
just two blocks west of the Capitol Complex along Washington Street.

Noon - 3:30 PM Meet with Legislators/ observe Legislators in action
in
committee meetings, attend NASW Board meeting, etc. Additional
information
will be given at the morning orientation session.
3:30 PM Wrap-up. Governor's Press Conference Room (State Capitol
Bldg).
 Share experiences, discuss "next steps"

2010 Reception Honoring the Contributions of Professional Social
Workers
Professionals to the Citizens of West Virginia
5:30 to 7:30 PM Charleston Marriott Town Center Hotel
200 Lee Street, Charleston
Social Work Day at the Legislature concludes with this annual
reception
in honor of our profession’s importance to society.
** We will make every effort to stay on schedule. However we are not
in
control of events at the Legislature and the schedule may change.
    
 
PREPARATION:
Appointments, Citizen’s Guide, Issue Briefings, Action
PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS AHEAD OF TIME TO
MEET
WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS!
Participants who did not make appointments in advance to meet with
their
elected officials expressed disappointment that they did not make the
most
of Social Work Day.
WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS AHEAD OF TIME!
Visits can be made in groups or individually, but all scheduled visits

require some planning. Legislators represent specific geographic
districts.
Legislators have committee meetings and other appointments, so it is
always best to schedule a meeting with them in advance.
*** TIP ** To Set Up Appointments with Senators & Delegates:
Log on to _www.legis.state.wv.us_ (http://www.legis.state.wv.us/) Or

Call Toll Free (877) 565-3447
*** TIP ** Online Citizen's Guide to the West Virginia Legislature:

To orient yourself to the legislative process and your upcoming visit
to
the State Capitol Complex, visit to
_http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/citizens/guide.cfm_
(http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/citizens/guide.cfm)
This convenient online guide provides information about the Capitol
Complex (maps, directions, etc), the legislative process (how a bill
becomes a
law), the committee process, floor action, etc. It also provides
information
about how to contact your legislators. If you do not know who
represents
you in the legislature, you can simply type in your West Virginia zip
code.
 It's a very user-friendly site.
*** TIP ** NASW West Virginia Chapter Online Legislative Action
Center:
Our online _Legislative Action Center_ (http://www.naswwv.org/) will
soon
be gearing up to help you easily and effectively contact your elected

officials about issues concerning our profession and those we serve!
Use it
often! Visit us online at _www.NASWWV.org_ (http://www.naswwv.org/)
 

 
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
2010 SOCIAL WORK DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE

Please see attached Registration form and email or mail your
registration
by Wednesday, January 27, 2010.
NO FEE FOR NASW MEMBERS!
Non-Members: $10
Continuing Education Hours
3 hours of continuing social work education credit offered for West
Virginia licensed Social Workers.
Please email, mail in or drop off your registration form (with payment
for
 non-members) by Wednesday, January 27, 2010 to:
National Association of Social Workers - WV Chapter
1608 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25311 (Sorry we cannot accept credit card payments
for
this event)
[log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATON:
ACCESSIBILITY: Wheelchair Access / Attire / Weather / Terrain /
Safety:
The State Culture Center is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair access
to
the State Capitol Building is located to the left of main stairs on
the
North side of the Mail Capitol Building (best access from State
Conference
Center) and near the handicapped parking by the Culture Center. Ask
at the
guardhouse/guard stations for additional accessibility information.
Additional lifts are located mid-wing on the first floor of both the
West
and East Wings. These provide access to the Main Capitol Building
level,
where you will find the Governor’s Office (ground floor), Cafeteria

(basement), House and Senate Chambers (fist floor), Rotunda, committee
rooms
(second floor), etc.
Elevators in the East Wing provide access to additional House of
Delegates
offices and meeting rooms. Elevators in the West Wing provide access
to
additional Senate offices and meeting rooms.
*** TIP ** Wear comfortable shoes and plan to carry your coat or
jacket
with you.
Participants will be walking around the Capitol Complex much of the
day
and will be outside on brief occasions. Wear clothing & shoes suited
to
this purpose. You will be representing our social work profession,
please
dress accordingly. The norm at the Capitol is business attire;
however sport
coats, slacks and sweaters, are fine.
Please check weather conditions before you set out. Do not place
yourself
or others at risk by traveling on unsafe roads to attend this event.
NASW
accepts no responsibility for loss, damage or injury. Wear warm
clothes.
Coat hangers are available. Please keep valuables with you at all
times in
public places.
Parking/Shuttle Bus:
Parking is always at a premium during the legislative session. Free
street
parking within three blocks of the Capitol is usually available on the

1500 blocks of Kanawha Boulevard, Virginia and Lee Streets. Limited
metered
parking and handicapped parking is available at the lots accessed via
the
guardhouse at the intersection of Greenbrier and Washington Streets.

Limited metered parking is also available at the University of
Charleston
(formerly Laidley Field) parking area at the intersection of Elizabeth

Street and Piedmont Road. A Capitol Shuttle bus picks up passengers
at the
parking area (except during lunch hour from 11:30 - 12:30) and makes
stops at
various locations around the Capitol Complex. The California Avenue
stop is
closest to the State Conference Center, while the Governor’s Drive
stop is
closest to the Governor’s Office and Main Capitol Building. Please
plan
to arrive early.
THANK YOU! We hope you have a great time and a very productive
Social
Work Day at the Legislature! If you have questions or need additional

information, please email Larry Beckett at [log in to unmask]
(mailto:[log in to unmask]) or call our Chapter office at
345-6279.
Thank you.
 
“BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” Mahatma Gandhi


YOU ARE THE POWER OF SOCIAL WORK!


Membership dues support the work we do on behalf of our profession and

those we serve. If you are a member of NASW, Thank you!
If your membership has expired or you have never been a member, you
can
renew or join online and receive the benefits of NASW membership by
visiting:
 _www.socialworkers.org_ (http://www.socialworkers.org/)
National Association of Social Workers
West Virginia Chapter
1608 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25311
_www.NASWWV.org_ (http://www.naswwv.org/)
304 345-6279
 

Plan NOW to Attend!
 2010 Social Work Day at the Legislature, February 3, 2010,
Charleston
State Cultural Center and Capitol Building
 
 
Thank you!
 
ELAN Legislative Action Committee