Winter Newsletter 2014 Final

8/12/2019 Winter Newsletter 2014 Final

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National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc.

Volume 2, Issue 2 Winter 2014

Nelson Mandela

July 18, 1918 -

Dec. 5, 2013

ANTI-APARTHIED ICON

His Life & Legacy


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SANKOFAMentorshipProgram

Please be advised that Sankofa is still accepting

applications. Jengas and Mentees have beenassigned and will receive an email. However,

applications will be accepted throughout the year.Membership into the Sankofa mentoring project

is limited to paid members only. Please contactOSA Parliamentarian at [email protected].

Sankofa Jenga (Mentor)/Mentee Appl icat ion (CIRCLE ONE)

Do Not Do Not Write Below This Line********************************************

Chapter/Steering Committee Only

Assigned/Mentor Mentee____________________________________


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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 addMandela 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, NABSWs 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 fullmember 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 Maat into action.

Maat 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 lifes 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, focusingall 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

Maat. Ase! Ase! Ase!

Joe E. Benton

President


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Hotep Family:

First, I wouldlike to congratulate all of the new and renewed chapters on meetingdeadlines for the fall semester. From my understanding, a number of the

chapters had issues within their respective schools in reference to ourbinding constitution, which conflicted with the schools bylaws caused aninability to receive school funding for respective chapters. I am hoping

that this is something that we can avoid in the near future bycollaborating with one another and finding ways to outsource the school

funding.

Also, many of the inquires I have received for the starting or renewing ofnew chapters fell short due to participation or lack of members. These are

serious issues that are a part of a growing nuisance within the up buildingof our prideful communities, organizations and higher educationcommunities. We all have to come together as the family we are, to help

these chapters figure it out, so that they may have the same opportunitiesas everyone within this great organization.

I am ecstatic when I hear of potential new chapters, I hope that we all can

come together and help our brothers and sisters become a part of thisgreat organization! It is discouraging to see students walk away after being

denied by their campus and sadly enough walking away fromopportunities happen within our black communities every day whensomeone feels they have no resources. Therefore, I am reaching out toeveryone who reads this newsletter for suggestions, so that we mayimprove this turnover rate. If there are any questions please contact me

via email, [email protected].

Ashe,OSA

Quarterly

Conference Call

Presidents V ice Presidents:Monday, March 31, 2014

8:00pm EST

Dial In: 626-677-3000

Access Code: 74341

Secretar ies:Thursday, March 13, 2014

7:00pm EST

Dial In: 626-677-3000

Access Code: 55019

Parl iamentar ians:Sunday, March 16, 2014

6:00pm EST

Dial In: 626-677-3000

Access Code: 55019

Treasurers:Sunday June 8, 2014

7:30pm EST

Dial In: 626-677-3000

Access Code: 55019

MEMBERSHIP:


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During the Fall 2013 semester, the Bryn Mawr College Chapter of NABSW and the

Graduate Student Association (GSA) joined forces to raise awareness to the

HIV/AIDS epidemic that plague our communities. On October 20th, 2013 ourNABSW chapter and GSA participated in the 27th Annual AIDS Walk Philly. This

walk provided an opportunity for students to join the Delaware Valley Community

in making a lasting statement to the commitment to conquering HIV/AIDS in our

communities. The group raised $525.00 that will go towards helping over 30 local

organizations who provide HIV/AIDS prevention and education, direct care services,

counseling and testing, medical care, and public awareness efforts.

_____________________________________________________________________________

In the spirit of Harambee we had a food

drive during the months of November

and December where we collected and

distributed 50+ canned goods to

Philabundance and two bags of food to

Remnant Inc.

___________________________________

Never underestimate thepower of dreams and the

influence of the human spirit.We are all the same in thisnotion: The potential for

greatness lives within each ofus." - Wilma Rudolph


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Events:

On Saturday, February 1st, the BrynMawr chapter of NABSW held acelebration of Black History Month.Entitled "My Black is Beautiful", thisevent honored four people within ourCommunity for "their tireless efforts inuplifting the African Americancommunity and for their devotion insupporting the Bryn Mawr Chapter ofthe NABSW."

This event was held at our School andwas planned and organized by ourstudent ABSW chaptermembers including our Chapter'sOfficers: Sharon Kimber(President), Shakera Harris (1st VicePresident), Telia Williams (2nd Vice

President), Karen White (Treasurer), and Marketta Kelly (Secretary). There wereover 70 alumni, staff, students, faculty, family, and friends in attendance to celebratethe awardees and the existence of our student Chapter. The awardees were: Professor

Raymond Albert (whose class course many years ago served as theinspiration for the formation of this Chapter in 1983), Nancy Kirby, MSS'65 (who was the advisor and counselor for the chapter for many years),and Tawana Ford Sabbath, MSS '71, PhD '86 and Julius Hayes, MSS'87,MLSP '88, both of whom hold leadership positions with the PhiladelphiaNABSW chapter as well as within the national organization. Whileawards made to Raymond and Nancy were presented by Sharon Kimber,awards to Tawana and Julius were presented by Lois Hayman-L,President of the Philadelphia chapter for their continuing service.

Additionally, and most important for us, alumni Tawana and Julius were honored asour Chapter's elders and mentors, truly embodying its spirit--- the Ghanian proverb ofSankofa, reminding us all 'to look back to give back'.


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OSAS PAST PRESIDENTS:

JANUARY 2014: SCM

CALLING ALL STUDENTS!!!

!""#$% '" ()*+%,) -"".#/0 1%%+0 2!34444NABSW OSA is looking for students interested in joining the OSA Day of Service Committee.

This committee of students will serve as voluntary facilitators for:

NABSW Joint Day of Service, Blackprint for Wellness Walk during our National Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

**Please be advised, all members of the OSA Day of Service Committee need to be REGISTERED for National Conference**

For more information please contact OSA 1 stVP Turner at [email protected]

Zakia Pugh, MSS, MLSP

Immediate Past OSA President 2012-2013

Defenders Association of Philadelphia

Child Advocate Social Worker

Aduago Glenda Duru

Past OSA President 2011-2012

Texas Southern University

Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Melanie Bryant, MSW

Past OSA President 2010-2011

Adjunct Faculty/Doctoral Student

Widener University

NABSW, National Program Co-Chair


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NABSW

Executive Office:

Hotep Family!We pray this year is off to a great start for each of you! As you begin

planning your year, we ask that you keep OSA in mind! First, please

make plans to attend the 46th

Annual Conference. The student rate isonly $185 and includes all conference materials, your entrance into all

OSA events and a wealth of knowledge and information that you can

only get at OUR conference. Additionally, we are pleased to offerpayment plans for students; please take advantage of this too. For

student chapters whose schools submit their checks, please allow

enough time for your checks to be processed by the school, mailed,and received by the national office by March 14

th

. Additionally, pleasekeep in mind that if your school submits a Purchase Order, the actualcheck must be received by March 14 thas well.

Also, we hope you will consider joining OSA at the national level.

There are several ways to do this; through the election process (if you

desire to hold an office) and by joining one of our committees. You

will learn more about this at conference. We also ask that you assistus with the Day of Service by signing up to be a part of the Day of

Service committee. We need students who have registered for

conference to assist us by helping to set up the route for the walk,

registration, assisting vendors etc.

We are so excited about all of the activities and workshops planned

and we are confident that this will be a conference to remember. Tokick off the week, please join OSA and the Indianappolis Chapter for

our joint Day of Service, The Blackprint for Wellness Walk.

NABSW members as well as community members will walk a route

to promote wellness. This years OSA Symposium theme: The

Impact of the Mask We Wear: When Reality Ain't Real which will

touch on a number of topics including: recognizing how culturalmasks and stigmas can affect personal and professional

development. As always we like to wrap up our busy week with a night

of fun. This year we will have an Old School vs. New SchoolShowdown! We invite everyone to come out and join OSA and the

Indianapolis chapter in embracing the best of both worlds..so bring

your dancing shoes and your best moves, this will definitely be a nightto remember!

We look forward to seeing all of you in April! See you in Indy!!!!

In the Spirit of Harambee,

President Lia Andrews & Advisor Tameka Brown

Joe E. Benton

President

Columbia, SC

J. Toni Oliver

Vice President

Atlanta, Georgia

Tracy L. 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

Lia Andrews

OSA President

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts

Immediate Past President

Missouri City, TX

Terrence A. Bradford

National Office Manager

Washington, DC

2305 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE

Washington, D.C. 20020

Phone: (202) 678-4570

Email: www.nabsw.org

Winter Newsletter 2014 Final

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