Election
2012 Council Election
At the close of Nominations for the ACSW Council the nominations received were: One nomination for Treasurer (Terry Wilson, therefore elected by acclamation) and six nominations for the three Council Member positions (Linda Golding, Rick Guthrie, Anna Malo, Barbara McPherson, Anne Marie McLaughlin and Richard Shelson).
According to ACSW bylaw 7.15.2 where only one candidate runs for a position other than president, that candidate will be declared elected by acclamation.
Election Procedure
- This Call for Nominations will be circulated to the membership the week of December 12, 2011
- Completed nominations forms signed by two RSW nominators must be submitted by January 22nd, 2012. Biographies of nominees must be emailed to the office by the same date.
- Once the nominations are received a list of candidates and biographies will be posted on the ACSW website February 5th, 2012.
- Voting will be conducted online via the ACSW website closing March 6th.
- Elected candidates are determined by a majority of the members' votes cast.
- Election results will be announced at the ACSW Annual General Meeting via the ACSW website and a mass email to the ACSW Membership after the next meeting of council.
Biographies for Council Members - Election 2012
Council Members
Linda Golding MSW RSW - Edmonton
I have been a registered social worker since 1982 shortly after I graduated with my BSW. I also have an MSW from the University of Calgary Edmonton. I have spent a good portion of my career working with children and their families. I have been employed in various positions with Edmonton Public Schools, the Yellowhead Youth Centre, child welfare both as a front line worker and in the area of policy development and post-adoption services. Over the past 21 years I was employed as in the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate as a frontline advocate, manager of Advocacy and as the Acting Child and Youth Advocate for Alberta.
I have always been proud to be a social worker. In the past I have been on Council both as a member at large and as the vice president. I have been an area coordinator and helped plan a conference. I would contribute to council’s role as a regulatory body by bringing my diverse and extensive social work practice knowledge as well as my knowledge of the role of governance of a professional association. I believe in the importance of regulation of our profession in order to protect the vulnerable populations we serve.
I would contribute to the professional association role of Council by encouraging broader participation of the membership to raise the profile of our profession. Council needs to reach out to social workers in a variety of settings both government and not for profit organizations. We need to involve membership when major decisions are being made and respect the right of our members to express and disagree with Council. I have an interest in advocacy and social justice, which are important roles for the professional association. I believe our profession should have a national voice and Alberta should be a major participant in this endeavor.
I have the time and the energy and hope you will consider voting for me as a member at large. Thank you for your time.
Rick Guthrie MSW, RSW - Edmonton
My name Rick Guthrie and I am pleased to be submitting my name for consideration for a Council member position with the ACSW board of directors. I am a 3rd generation Inner city resident who, in 1990, began volunteering in an inner city drop-in centre, where I was eventually hired as staff. This led to 10 years working in the community, and eventually to an undergraduate degree followed by a graduate degree in Social Work.
• As someone who has not previously been on the ACSW board, I hope to bring forward new ideas and a new perspective
• My main interest include the Social Policy framework, as progressive policies are needed in Alberta to deal with issues related to poverty, working wage rates and the increasing gap between “haves and have nots”
• I am prepared to be involvement in the disparity campaign to raise awareness of the disparity gap and the impact it has on social workers.
• I am also interested in diversity awareness, Aboriginal and First Nations issues as demonstrated through my involvement with Edmonton City Councilor Michael Phair, and the Métis Nation of Alberta
• I seek to contribute to Council's role, as a professional regulatory body, through seeking involvement on the Professional Social Work Education Board. In addition, I would also seek involvement in the Social Justice Social Action committee
• My current role with the Alberta government, leading the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Initiative and acting as a contract specialist for my Ministry, requires me to work from a provincial perspective (I also sit on the FASD Cross Ministerial committee).
• I am also currently involved in Expressive Arts Training (Apprenticeship Program), through the World Arts Organization which is affiliated with St. Stephens College).
• I have Child and Family Services authority experience as Case Manager and Regional Community Development Coordinator.
• I have taught social work courses through the U of C, including community practice and social work methods, through the BSW Access Division at the Hobbema site at Maskwachees College and the Métis Site at U of C faculty of Social work Edmonton
• I was involved with the ACSW Social Action Social Justice committee, in 2008, serving as co-chair. I had aspirations at that time to pursue further involvement with the ACSW board of directors but health concerns caused me to resign at the time. Having made a full recovery I am eager to serve once again.
• I have a great deal of experience serving on other governing councils, and I am currently on the Board of Director with the Norwood Child and Family Resource Center.
Barbara McPherson, MSW, RSW - Edmonton
I hold a B.S.W. from McGill University (1998), an M.A. in Social Welfare Policy (M.S.W. Equivalent) from McMaster University (1994), and a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto (1985).
I have been a member of the ACSW since 2003 and have served on Council since March 2010. I have been an active member of ACSW`s Social Action Social Justice Committee since January 2007, and co-facilitated workshops at the ACSW Conferences in 2009, 2010 and 2011 on ACSW`s Disparity Campaign.
For the past year, I have worked as Social Work Team Lead at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton. Prior to that, I worked for six years as a Mental Health Therapist for children with neurodevelopmental difficulties and for four years in child protection and family preservation. Before entering the field of Social Work, I worked for many years in rehabilitation programs for adults with intellectual handicaps and severe and persistent mental illnesses.
I feel privileged to have served on ACSW Council for the past two years and would like to have the opportunity to apply this learning to an additional term on Council. I believe that my professional experience provides me with an understanding of the clinical and policy issues that impact clients and Social Workers in a range of systems. I value a strong regulatory body for Social Work, which can promote the role of Social Work, maintain a high level of professional excellence and protect vulnerable clients.
I believe the ACSW has great strengths and potential as an organization. As a Council member, I would continue to support an increased role of ACSW in promoting social justice issues in Alberta. .I also wish to contribute to building the structures and policies of the organization, and to work on ways to enhance member engagement and identification with the ACSW.
Anna Malo MSW, RSW - Edmonton
Anna Malo holds a Master of Social Work from University of Windsor and Bachelor of Art in Sociology from McGill University. Her education background has given her a highly portable set of skills to identify service gaps, develop policy, write research papers, evaluate quality of service and outcomes, and promote capacity building within the community. She worked as a case worker in Children’s Aid Society and as a Youth Justice Committee co-coordinator at Essex County Diversion Program which has provided her with numerous experiences in in-depth interviews, counseling, assessments, and case management. As a placement coordinator in Ministry of Human Services, she also advised placement agencies, caseworkers, and supervisors regarding placement and transition planning for children and youths while addressing particular placement challenges and strategies to attain best placement outcomes for children and youths. Currently, as an intervention caseworker in a fast paced environment, she works as a part of an interdisciplinary team to assess and case plan for families in need.
Prior to coming to Edmonton in year 2009, she served as a board member with the Ontario Association of Social Work South Western Branch providing crucial roles to the board: Providing executive and administrative support to the board, coordinating the flow of business in the board meetings, monitoring accountability and standards and actively coordinating and contributing to the advocacy sub-committee. Moreover, she also became involved in the Alberta College of Social Workers as the Secretary on the Board of Directors in order to provide leadership and advice to the membership regarding key areas of policy, practice, education, research and advocacy as it relates to the needs of children, youths and their families. As an avid advocate for ethical standards and professional integrity, Anna will contribute to Association’s policies and strategic directions, ensures that the organization stays on course to fulfill its mission and advises the organization on issues affecting the social work profession and the public at the provincial level.
Anne Marie McLaughlin PhD, RSW - Edmonton
I began my social work career in 1984 after graduating with my MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University. I have been a registered social worker in Alberta since 1985. My practice experience has been, for the most part, in rural communities throughout northern Alberta in child welfare and mental health in High Prairie and Slave Lake. I eventually moved to High Level, Alberta, as the director of the mental health program.
After returning to school in 2000, I completed my PhD in 2006 with a focus on social justice in clinical practice. I have taught social work courses in both college and university settings. I am currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work in Edmonton. My research interests are in the area of bridging theory and practice.
I previously served two terms on council and sat for one year as the vice president. I am very interested in closing the perceived gap between those on council and the membership. To run effectively, the council must have meaningful input from the membership and I believe we need new ways and means of obtaining this. I am passionate about the profession and am determined to raise the profile of social workers provincially, nationally and internationally. I believe that the council should take a strong leadership role in advocating for social justice and that, as a profession, we must be united.
Richard Shelson MSW, RSW – Lethbridge
I have my BSW from McGill (1980) and my MSW from the University of Windsor. I have been a member of the ACSW and its predecessors since 1986. Over the years I have acted as an Area Coordinator (Lethbridge area) and a member of Council (1990 – 2009). In addition to that I was one of the members on the Clinical Exam Committee for the Association of Social Work Boards for 4 years spending 1 year as the chair of that committee. I have also been a sessional lecturer at the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work: Lethbridge Division as they have needed me.
I can contribute to council by bringing my previous years of experience to the table. I am well aware of the regulatory role of the College and how it may impact Council. One of the ways I would attempt to contribute to both Councils’ role as a regulatory as well as professional body would be to make sure that the actions of Council are transparent. One way this might be accomplished is to make sure that the minutes of Council are posted regularly (none have been posted since 2009). Another way in which Council’s decisions and actions could be more transparent is to conduct periodic public hearings to engage members in various parts of the province about matters of interest and concern to them. That will allow members to review what we do and comment on it. I would also hope to bring the willingness to listen to our members and raise those concerns at the Council table.
I ask you for your support in making this happen.
Treasurer - elected by acclamation
Terry Wilson BSW, RSW - Calgary
I have submitted my nomination for the position of Treasurer of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) Council for the 2012-2014 term. As Treasurer, I will ensure that:
• Council continues to operate on a balanced annual operating budget.
• Financial policies are presented to Council for approval that will ensure the long term financial sustainability of ACSW.
• There is effective and transparent communication with members on financial matters including a clear explanation of how our annual registration fees are spent.
As an elected member of Council I will support and recommend:
• That members are advised that they are welcome to attend Council meetings.
• That members are encouraged to present issues, recommendations and ideas to Council for consideration.
• Strong and public advocacy on significant issues of Social Justice, some of which include income disparity, mental health issues, services for the disabled, affordable and social housing, adoption of the principle of living wage in provincial legislation and an increase in resources to address issues of family violence.
• Promotion and awareness of the profession of Social Work on an ongoing basis, both internally and publicly, based on our professional positions on current issues of social justice.
• Effective and transparent communication with our membership concerning decisions of Council and committee activities.
My history with ACSW has included:
• Treasurer of Council from 2010-2012.
• Secretary of Council - 2010. This was a short-term appointment to fill an
executive vacancy due to resignation.
• Co-chair of the communications committee.
• Member of the finance, by-law and policy, strategic plan and human resources
committees.
My functions as a social worker have included;
• Presently, for the past 10 years, as a Social Worker with The City of Calgary, with a major involvement in the development and implementation of the Fair Calgary Policy of social inclusion.
• 10 years as the Executive Director of the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank Society.
• 10 years as a Director of Family and Community Support Services in rural Alberta.
In addition to ACSW, I have also served in other voluntary capacities including:
• President of a rural adult Further Education Council
• Member of the Alberta Library Trustees Association (public libraries).
• Calgary Horticultural Society.
I hold a BSW together with completion of several graduate courses from the University of Calgary.
I look forward to contributing to the profession of social work in Alberta through my continued involvement as a member of the ACSW Council. Thank you for your consideration and support of my candidacy.
Terry Wilson RSW
