Items of General Interest:

New Resource:  Information about Inexpensive Funerals

The Funeral Consumer Alliance of Vermont (FCA-VT) is a non-profit organization devoted to educating people about a wide variety of funeral options, including “green” burials and cremation.  Pamphlets and other materials are available to members and non-members. They have a hot line people can call for information:  802-223-8140. To learn more about inexpensive, yet respectful and dignified options to traditional funerals, go to www.vtfuneralconsumersalliance@myfairpoint.net.

NASW-VT Committee Updates

Legislative Committee – We are working to develop an agenda for the next session. Topics and issues we are exploring include:  housing and homelessness, hunger, need for broadband, elder abuse, and mental health parity in health care reform. Do you have an issue you are passionate about and that you would like to discuss with the committee? Or, better yet, join the committee? Contact Rilla Murray by email or call 888-260-7398.

PACE Committee – The Political Action for Candidate Election committee is working hard to select candidates in the general election that NASW-VT will endorse. Members will receive a list of those candidates in the mail in early September. If you would like to know more or to join the group, please email Martha Molpus, Chair.

Annual Conference Committee – Jenni Campbell, Michelle Champoux, Dave Ellenbrook, Diane Gates, and Lynda Schoenbeck (chair) are working to put the final touches on our conference—to be held October 29, 2010 in Rutland. Click here for more information and our August-only INTERNET SPECIAL. If you would like to join the committee or volunteer at the conference, we can use your help. Please email Lynda Schoenbeck.

For our Members in Rural Areas

             New edition of Social Work in Rural Communities…Leon Ginsberg, Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, is seeking chapter contributions to the next edition. If you are interested, send in an abstract and outline summarizing the proposed content, the references you will use, and a projected date for finishing the chapter…by August 15, 2010…to ginsberglh@appstate.edu.

             Are you interested in staying current with rural social work issues and events?  Visit the website of the National Rural Social Work Caucus (an association by rumor), www.RuralSocialWork.org. Among other valuable resources, the website hosts a continually updated bibliography on rural social work.

        To join the listserv, send a one-line message to LISTSERVE@LISTSERV.WVU.EDU. The one line message should read:

SUB RURAL_SOCIAL_WORK (your first name) (your last name)

Example:  SUB RURAL_SOCIAL_WORK Jane Doe

            2011 Meeting of the National Institute on Rural Social Work and Human Services will be held July 14-16, 2011 in Natchitoches (nack-a-chiss), Louisiana, hosted by Northwestern State University Department of Social Work. For information, contact Barb Pierce at piercecruise@nsula.edu. Call for papers will close March 1, 2011.

            Call for Proposals:  2011 Continuing Education Conference for Social Workers, NASW-WV in Charleston, WV, April 13-15. For more information, go to www.NASWWV.org.

NASW Membership Benefit-of-the-Month – Free Ethics Consultation

 Do you have an ethical dilemma you need help with?

Are you concerned about a potential conflict of interest, boundary problems, confidentiality conflicts, unethical management practices…whatever… One benefit of your membership in NASW is that you have access to a free ethics consultation by phone.

Call 1-800-638-8799, extension 231, on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A professional social worker and member of the national NASW staff will explore the issues with you.

Get the most out of your membership – call when you have an ethics question!