Each year, SSWAA holds Board elections for open positions on the SSWAA Board of Directors. Board Members are elected by the SSWAA membership and serve to set a strategic direction for the association ensuring that the mission is advanced, applicable laws and regulations are followed, and overseeing prudent use of resources to meet the association's mission. Serving on the SSWAA Board of Directors is an excellent way to contribute and develop leadership skills while working for the advancement of the profession.
Board roles & Descriptions
President-Elect
The President Elect in an officer of SSWAA and serves a one-year term as President Elect, followed by a two-year team as BoardPresident and then a one-year term as Past President. (total of a 4-year term). An individual interested in running for this position must be a SSWAA member for 36 months prior to nomination.
Function: The President elect shall perform such duties as may be directed by the President, executive committee, or board of directors. In the absence of the President, the President Elect shall preside over meetings and assume the President duties.
Secretary
The Secretary is an officer of SSWAA and serves a two-year term on the SSWAA Board. An individual interested in running for this position must be a SSWAA member for 36 months prior to nomination.
Function: The secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the board of directors, executive committee, and the delegate assembly. A copy of meeting minutes shall be provided to the board of directors within 3 weeks of the meeting.
Regional RepresentativeS
Northeastern Representative / Southern Representative / Midwest Representative / Western Representative
A Regional Representative serves a two-year term on the SSWAA Board. An individual interested in running for this position must live or work in the SSWAA geographical region for which they are running, have at least 2 years experience as a school social worker, and be a member in good standing with SSWAA for at least 12 months at the time of nomination.
Function: One Regional Representative Board Position will represent each of the SSWAA Regions and will communicate with regional delegates and members. Pertinent information regarding SSWAA activities will be shared and information will be solicited from regional delegates and members about their state issues or concerns and communicate that information to the SSWAA Board of Directors.
Standards and Practice Representative
The Standards and Practice Representative serves a two-year term on the SSWAA Board, bringing expertise in local, state, and national school social work standards and professional practice issues. Candidates must be SSWAA members for at least 24 months prior to nomination and possess knowledge in these areas. The representative monitors and reviews relevant standards and practices, provides guidance and recommendations to the board, collaborates to ensure alignment with best practices, and acts as a liaison to promote adherence to established standards, thereby maintaining high professional standards and advancing the field of school social work.
Function: The Standards and Practice Representative will lead the Standards and Practice Committee and will oversee such work as the revisions of all Resolution and Legislative Statements, creation of resolution statements, recruit members to join the Standards and Practice committee, facilitate review of resources on the website, and foster collaboration with the NASW School Social Work Specialty group.
University Representative
The University Representative serves a two-year term on the SSWAA Board. This individual must be a faculty member of a college or university in a school of social work and must be a SSWAA member for at least 24 months at the time of nomination.
Function: The University Representative will develop and facilitate the SSWAA research agenda, review and approve any requests to do research through SSWAA, communicate with university professors who teach school social work and serve as their liaison to the board of directors, collaborate with schools of social work on development of a specialization, facilitate and develop international relationship and partnerships, and participate on the editorial board for the SSWAA sponsored International Journal of School Social Work.
Student Representative
The Student Representative serves a one-year term on the SSWAA Board. An individual interested in running for this position must be a SSWAA member and must be enrolled in a Master's of Social Work degree program.
Function: The Student Representative serves as the liaison for SSWAA student members currently enrolled in school social work programs by communicating with them regularly regarding SSWAA board activities, gathering information from members about their issues or concerns, collaborating on ways to increase student membership, and assist in building a network of support for SSWAA Student Members.
