NASW-ME Newsletters
NASW-ME Fall 2024 Newsletter
NASW-ME Summer 2024 Newsletter
NASW-ME Spring 2024 Newsletter
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NASW-ME Fall 2023 Newsletter
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NASW-ME July 2023 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Julie Schirmer
Once again, I had the privilege to travel to DC last month and hang out with the Presidents and Chapter Executives for education and planning. It was energizing to meet with such a talented group of folks and to visit with legislative staff about priority bills in the offices of Senator King, Senator Collins and Representative Pingree. I was in a meeting with over 50 NASW chapter presidents when the Supreme Court made the decision to strike down Affirmative Action in education.
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NASW-ME April 2023 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Julie Schirmer
It is with pure joy, admiration, yet fear that I write
this newsletter. We had an amazing Black History
Month (February) thanks to our JEDI Committee,
Social Work Month (March), AND the celebra-
tion of the one-year anniversary of hiring Chris
McLaughlin as our Executive Director. On March 23rd, NASW Maine and over 150 social workers joined together at
the State House for Social Work Advocacy Day, which was the day before the
public hearing on the Social Work Loan Repayment bill (LD 632).
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NASW-ME January 2023 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Julie Schirmer
As I sit and watch a gentle snow slowly drift
down my window, I have a feeling of hope for
this coming year for social workers. That’s a
good thing, as according to multiple studies, hope
and optimism are better predictors of achieve-
ments in academics, sales, and sports than IQ or natural talent. This is bal-
anced by the many challenges experienced on a daily basis related to our pro-
fession and clients. Several announcements this week have led me to believe
that the good fight that many of us have been making is having an impact.
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NASW-ME October 2022 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Julie Schirmer
I have a sense of excitement and urgency, as I put my gardens to bed, plant for the spring, and watch the leaves turn colors and dance in the wind. I bring that same sense of excitement and urgency for our profession and our clients, leading up to our Annual Conference and the November 8th elections. There is a lot at stake this fall. Our country has experienced a growing pattern of political polarization and political violence that threatens our democracy.
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NASW-ME July 2022 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Julie Schirmer
I am honored and humbled as I write my first President’s letter for the NASW Maine newsletter. As NASW Policy Chair and First Vice President of the board for the last three years, I am grateful to have learned from the best of our leaders, including President Brandy Brown, Interim Executive Director Lynn Stanley, the NASW board, and the many leaders on the policy, JEDI, school social work and other committees who have prepared us for the work ahead. I can’t be happier in working with our very able Executive Director, Chris McLaughlin, over the next three years. I am thankful for Danielle Blair, who was co-chair and has stepped up to the senior chair position on the Policy Committee.
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NASW-ME April 2022 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
I sit in reflection as my time as Board President comes to a close. I believe this is my last President’s Message for the newsletter. I have enjoyed the privilege of representing Social Workers in Maine for the past 4 years. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility. My time as President has primarily corresponded with Lynn Stanley’s time as interim Executive Director.
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NASW-ME January 2022 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
The Maine chapter of National Assocation of Social Workers (NASW-ME) will help lead the 2022 Social Work Month celebration in March with the theme "The Time is Right for Social Work," which undercores the contributions social workers have made to this nation for more than a century and how the services they provide are needed more than ever as our nation addresses economic inqueality, systemic racism, the need for improved health and mental health care, COVID-19, and other issues.
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NASW-ME October 2021 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
As we all debate whether and when to turn on the heat- I hope you are all enjoying the fall- the crisp air, the leaves changing, and apple picking. This season change presents an opportunity for reflection in a way that others do not. Nietzche is quoted for saying “I notice that Autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” As I reflect over this, I consider the soul and the renewal that is needed. As social workers, we spend much of our time on the work of helping others, often extending ourselves much further than is healthy. For me, the change of seasons gives me the opportunity to pause and reflect on my own change over time, and consider what I need for growth and renewal.
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NASW-ME July 2021 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
As I enter the final year of serving you as Board President, it is my pleasure to introduce the newly elected members of the NASW Maine Board. Julie Schirmer, 1st Vice President, is our new President Elect. She chairs our Policy committee and is eager to take on more responsibility.
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NASW-ME April 2021 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
As many of you know, I spend most of my professional time working with transgender and gender non-conforming children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as with their families, school systems, and healthcare teams. This work is rooted in long time advocacy for the LGBTQ+ population, as an individual, a community member, and a professional.
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NASW-ME February 2021 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
I hope this message finds you optimistic as we enter the new year. I do not know when the potential for policy change has been greater, with so many bills moving forward in federal and state legislatures. As we look to those in leadership positions, it is uplifting to see the diversity from newly elected positions and appointed leaders. And it is certainly wonderful to see so many social workers stepping into leadership roles with the new administration.
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NASW-ME December 2020 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
Reflections and hindsight, 2020. Any statement I can make, no matter how poignant or profound, would fall flat as a reflection of the past year. Often this time of year is a when we can look back, gauge progress, consider areas to focus on in the next year. 2020 is different. This year has been filled with challenges and obstacles and social workers in Maine have responded to the challenge with enduring perseverance. Unlike other crisis, we have had to support ourselves, colleagues, families, and friends, while continuing to support clients and advocate for systemic change. Through it all, social workers have displayed strength and resilience.
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NASW-ME Fall 2020 Newsletter
NASW Maine President's Message—Brandy Brown
Fellow Social Workers,
This year continues to push us to adapt and change in new and different ways. As I sit to reflect on the past few months, I realize that each time I have come to write a message this year, we are seeing and experiencing new and different crisis, each compounding onto the next and requiring more and more of us. These challenges test our resilience as social workers, as we continue to provide support to individuals, seek change in oppressive systems, and navigate an ever-connected world. I am thinking about the challenges we have faced in Maine, and at the same time I am hearing from friends on the west coast, struggling to prepare for evacuation and resource scarcity. This year has been teaching us a lot about science and our impact on the plant, from climate change to healthcare. KEEP READING HERE
NASW-ME Spring 2020 Newsletter
NASW Maine President’s Message—Brandy Brown
It is hard to believe that it has been almost two months since we started responding to changes in our personal and professional lives due to COVID 19. I have been impressed, though not surprised, by the overwhelming response of social workers as we work together to make sure that people have resources and support during this time. We had an incredible response to the call to volunteer with the Maine FrontLine WarmLine and the NAMI Volunteer Therapist program. Both great ways for our profession to volunteer. Students are stepping up to reimagine their field placements and find unique ways to provide support, leaning on many of their strengths related to technology. Retired social workers are coming out to volunteer and take on supportive roles during this time, sharing their wisdom and guidance, supporting the profession and those who are vulnerable. Seeing people come together reminds me that we really are ‘generations strong.’ KEEP READING HERE
NASW-ME Winter 2020 Newsletter
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN—Brandy Brown
As we have welcomed the new year, we welcome change. This year, 2020, will be a year of change to remember, with the presidential election and a number of bills that call forth our attention, at the state and national level. There is no better time to get involved with our policy committee than now. Supporting social work advocacy and making sure our voice is heard, submitting testimony on bills that matter to social workers, and staying abreast of the issues. Please consider coming to a policy committee meeting or coming to one of the policy advocacy trainings we will be holding across the state in the coming months. KEEP READING HERE
NASW-ME Summer 2019 Newsletter
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN—Brandy Brown
In June, I was able to represent Maine social work-ers at the NASW Advanced Leadership Meeting in Wash-ington, DC, along with our (interim) Executive Director, Lynn Stanley. It was empowering to connect with that many engaged social workers from different backgrounds, supporting each other, navigating the differences in the organization, and working together to advocate for policy change. KEEP READING HERE
NASW-ME Spring 2019 Newsletter
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN—Brandy Brown
I am quite pleased to have the opportunity to represent our chapter as the board President for NASW Maine. Having been an active member of NASW for several years, I look forward to further work and connection with you all and I am excited about new possibilities. KEEP READING HERE