BC College of Social Workers - Call for Nominations for the Board

The College is set to grow this year. By September 2013 it will be mandatory for all social workers in BC working in social work positions in the Health Authorities to become Registered Social Workers (RSW).

2013 Election for the Board

Each year, Registered Social Workers have the opportunity to elect members to the College’s Board. Elected positions are two-year terms on a staggered schedule with four vacancies each year. The official call for nominations for the election of professional representatives to the Board is made in August each year. For the most recent election in 2012, four persons were nominated for the four vacant positions. Each nominee was therefore elected by acclamation.

As the College begins to prepare for this year’s election, we would also like our registrants to think about the Board of the College and nominating suitable candidates for election. Here are the ten reasons you should consider consenting to being nominated by your peers:

1. Professional self-regulation is a privilege granted to some professions. Self-regulation is not a right (as the teachers found out). A professional duty and obligation exists for social workers to take an interest in the regulation of their profession.
2. Good policy governance requires professionals with a range of experience to contribute their expertise and knowledge.
3. Acting in the public interest is integral to both social justice and the administrative justice system in Canada.
4. Provides an opportunity to enhance the public’s perception of social work as a profession.
5. Members have the opportunity to apply their social work skill and knowledge to the statutory objects and duties of the College.
6. Advocate for social justice in the context of the Social Workers Act.
7. Take part in national and international regulatory activities with colleagues from other jurisdictions.
8. Represent your views and share your specialized knowledge and skill to assist in enhancing standards and guidelines.
9. Expand your knowledge.
10. Have the opportunity to be a leader and a positive influence for others.

Get involved, be passionate, and come prepared to learn. Most Board members say that it takes two years to gain a really good grasp of what the role and activities of the College are.

The time commitment is not onerous; the Board adheres to a policy governance model and meets four or five times per year. Meetings are generally held on Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00. Many of the Committees conduct business electronically or via teleconference, although some committees do have face-to-face meetings. The College is not the association and cannot advocate for the profession. It is the duty of the College to act in the public interest at all times. This is an exciting time for social work in BC as there is both significant threats and great opportunity.

Registrants elected to the Board must take an Oath of Office as required by the Social Workers Regulation. The Oath commits Board members to leave their personal and professional advocacy agendas at the door and always act in the public interest. Why not be part of the excitement and the change as the College grows?