BASW Chair blog: Gerry Nosowska

It’s been a titanic month celebrating World Social Work Day, now we look ahead to the BASW AGM

We have just finished World Social Work Day month with its celebration of relationships and the impact that social work has.

Now it is time to look forward to the BASW Annual General Meeting and Conference in June. This will be on midsummer day, 21 June, at the Titanic centre in Belfast, with a fringe event the night before.

It’s a journey (though travel to Belfast is easy) and it takes time, so I want to encourage all members to think about the benefits of coming along.

I feel that what the AGM offers has a lot in common with World Social Work Day:

  • Relationships
  • Celebration
  • Impact

Relationships

Going to a social work event is like going to a familiar place where you can relax. Everyone shares a similar purpose and the same values. It is refreshing to be together, to talk and be inspired, to feel supported, and to learn together.

The Conference theme is Together in Social Work. At a time of division, this conference will focus on how our values and relationships enable us to work across boundaries and borders. There will be great speakers and workshops, and we can reflect on what matters to us and to the world we work in.

Celebration

Members put so much into BASW – not just membership fees but their backing, energy and expertise. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate all that the BASW is and does – who we are as people who promote social work and social justice.

The Fringe the night before the AGM will be great fun. The AGM is a chance to hear about how BASW fulfils its vision, and the conference enables us to think about the value of social work.

Impact

BASW is member-led – our aims and priorities are set by the vision that we write together; our campaigns are inspired by members. At the AGM, motions are put forward, members vote, and this leads directly into our planning. Your vote and input have a direct impact.

At the AGM, elected members and the executive team report back on what we have done over the last year. We give account for how your contributions to BASW have made a difference. And we will be starting the conversation about how our 2020 Vision will lead into a Vision that runs to 2025.

So please come along, for friendship, fun and for the future of BASW.