CASW Stategic Plan 2012-2015.pdf - Canadian Association of ...

CASW Strategic Directions
2012-2015
(Updated December 2012)
CASW Mission:
CASW promotes the profession of social work in Canada and advances social justice.
(Adopted October 8, 2011)
CASW Values Charter
The CASW Values Charter represents the shared values at the core of our working relationships. These values provide guidelines for
our strategic approach and support in handling “dilemmas” in our everyday professional lives. Our organizational integrity and
reputation is built and sustained as we consistently act within this framework. CASW is an organization that values:
Community:
CASW seeks to build the community of practice in professional social work through sharing interests and ideas, finding solutions,
encouraging knowledge and learning, and encouraging practical social innovation and policies. We seek to build cohesion in our field.
Openness and Transparency:
CASW is committed to being open about our information and transparent in how we make decisions.
Respect and Trust:
CASW seeks to build trust and respect in our working relationships through timely clear communication, willingness to listen, and
respect for the legal and organizational frameworks of those with whom we engage or interact.
Engagement and Collaboration:
CASW encourages processes and build structures that encourage active engagement and collaboration. We ensure that all parties with
an interest in an issue are included in the process. We respect diverse values, interests, and knowledge and accept that different views
give strength to the development of consensus. We seek points of common interest and seek to build the greater whole rather than
simply accepting majority interests.
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Commitment:
CASW has a commitment to advocacy and a passion for social justice that is rooted in compassion and an authentic concern and
caring for people. We seek to increase social good. We have the courage to face and deal with difficult situations instead of
withdrawing or taking the easy way out.
Excellence and Innovation:
CASW is committed to ethical leadership and standards of professional excellence, and our work is distinguished by innovation.
Accountability:
CASW is accountable to our membership for a focused and diligent execution of our mission.
CASW Governance
CASW adopted a new Policy Governance model in 2011. The model is an adapted version of the Carver Model that commits the
CASW Board to determining the ‘ends’ of the organization and the ‘limitations’ in which the Executive Director must work within to
accomplish the ends.
In June 2011, at a joint meeting of the CASW federation, the following motion was adopted to clarify the overall intent of CASW’s
organizational existence:
Motion Carried
CASW continue to focus on the promotion of the profession by helping to meet challenges related to the status, morale and influence
of social workers; helping to meet challenges of recruitment of members to provincial/territorial associations; and continue to focus on
social justice as core activities.
– Joint CASW Board/Presidents Meeting – June 2011
The above motion affirmed CASW’s core purpose and mission. As consequence the CASW Board adopted the following ends, in
consultation with CASW Partner Organizations, in which CASW core service lines are to be reviewed and implemented to meet.
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CASW Ends or Directions (Adopted by the CASW Board June 2011)
CASW exists so that the social work profession is respected as a unique, diverse, and credible profession, in Canada and
Internationally.
1. There is a clear and positive image of the social work profession.
2. The social work profession has a positive impact on public/social justice issues.
a) Policy makers will understand the impact of policy decision on social justice.
b) Social service development will be responsive to the social needs of Canadians.
3. All social workers have access to a broad base of information they need to enhance their practice.
All three ends or direction are held to be of equal priority.
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Strategic Goals based on CASW Ends/Directions
I. Promoting the Profession
Direction 1: Help to meet challenges related to the status, morale and influence of social workers.
Direction 2: Clear and positive image of the social work profession
Goals:
a. Organize National Social Work Month activities and support Partner Organizations with national promotional
activities.
b. Develop a national promotional strategy for the social work profession that includes assisting Partner Organizations
with communications and materials.
c. Develop strategic partnerships with national employers and labour unions, in order to educate them as to our
Professional status, and protect our professional standing.
d. Within the financial restraints of CASW, develop a national campaign to promote and brand the social work
profession including maximizing the use of social media and online opportunities.
e. Develop statements that support the role of social work and promote the value of the profession in reducing the
overall health and social service budgets both federally and provincially.
CASW Service Lines:
- National Coalitions - CASW Website
- Issue Response - Canada Social Work Foundation
- Social Policy Positions/Statements - Media Relations
- Government Relations - CASW Bulletin
- Monthly E-bulletin - Social Media (Facebook)
- Social Policy Positions/Statements
Corresponding Coalitions:
- Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative (CCMHI) - G7- Group of 7 Health Professions
- Canadian Alliance on Mental Health (CAMIMH) - IFSW
- HEAL Action Lobby
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II. Pursuit of Social Justice
Direction1: Policy makers will understand the impact of policy decision on social justice.
Direction 2: Social service development will be responsive to the social needs of Canadians.
Goals:
a. Advocate for social justice at the national level so that more progressive social policies may be adopted.
b. Participate in national coalitions and consequent national campaigns that advance the strategic directions of CASW.
c. Provide timely responses to national issues.
d. Develop a Government Relations strategy that engages and informs Members of Parliament and Senior decision
makers on the social work profession and policy positions.
CASW Service Lines:
- National Coalitions - Issue Response
- International Federation of Social Workers - Social Policy Positions/Statements
- Media Relations - Government Relations
- CASW Interest Groups
Corresponding Coalitions:
- Campaign 2000 - Partners for Mental Health (PMH)
- Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada - Quality End of Life Care Coalitions
- Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network - Dignity for all, The Campaign for a
- National Alliance for Children and Youth Poverty-Free Canada
- Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children - National Coalition on Housing and
- Repeal Section 43 Coalition Homelessness
- Canadian Collaborative Mental Health Initiative (CCMHI) - Canadian Centre for Policy
- Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health Alternatives
- Coalition on Community Safety, Health and Well-being - Canadian Council on Social
- IFSW Development
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III. Strengthening the Profession
Direction 1: Help to meet challenges of recruitment of members to provincial/territorial associations.
Direction 2: All social workers have access to a broad base of information they need to enhance their practice.
Direction 3: Promote membership both individual and partnership.
Goals:
a. Develop national best practice guidelines and position on optimal caseloads for various areas of social work
practice.
b. Develop a webinar series to support social workers in enhancing their practice.
c. Deliver a national conference every two years in consultation with CASW Partner Organizations, the Canadian
Council of Social Work Regulators and the Canadian Association for Social Work Education.
d. Act as a clearinghouse of information for the social work profession with a focus of connecting policy to practice.
e. Develop a multi-faceted communications strategy that informs and engages social workers in the activities of
CASW.
f. Develop strategies to achieve the reunification of the provincial social work organizations that are currently outside
of the CASW federation.
CASW Service Lines:
- Canada Social Work Journal - Internationally Educated Assessment Service
- National Conference - IFSW
- Media Relations - Government Relations
- Intersectoral Collaboration - CASW Interest Groups
- Partner Organization Communications - Media Monitoring Service
- Revenue Generation - Social Media (Facebook)
- Individual membership recruitment - Develop a format of individual representation
Corresponding Coalitions:
- Child Rights Education for Professionals (CRED-PRO) - HEAL Action Lobby
- Adoption Council of Canada - IFSW
- Canadian Alliance on Mental Health (CAMIMH)
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- Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
CASW Action Plan to Achieve Ends and Goals
CASW Executive Director to develop a three year CASW Action plan to achieve the ends and goals including:
1. CASW Action Plan that includes SMART Goals and reflects Board accepted Agora recommendations.
2. CASW Government Relations Plan
3. CASW Communications Plan
4. Clear and consistent reporting schedule to CASW Board and Partner Organizations on Action Plan implementation
progress.
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