NASW-MD Anti-Racism Statement

Objectives

Members of the Board, Committees, and Chapter staff are charged with:

• 1. Intentionally demonstrate anti-racist practices by implementing language within the Board and committee goals that is in the inclusion of, and respect for all.
  
  
  • Hold ourselves accountable through effective evaluation and correction,
  • By reference to and not limited to, NASW Social Work Standards and Code of Ethics, Delegate Assembly goals, and Chapter Charter
• 2. Provide programming through an anti-racism practices lens by:
  
  
  • Diversity among presenters, and
  • Diversity in topics that represent the oppressed, vulnerable, marginalized communities, families and individuals that we serve.
  • Development of programming that will demonstrate the inclusion of an antiracism lens through advanced educational workshops, extensive trainings, and advocacy and leadership opportunities that promote social and racial justice action.
  • Demonstrate equity by providing adequate, reasonable and responsible presenter fees
• 3. Inspire and participate in providing leadership, and modeling for racial and social justice practices by enhancing communication efforts among Maryland social workers, NASW, and with community partners. Use of social media, educational and informative trainings, creating and maintaining archived resources, and other sources to educate, celebrate and inform:.
  
  
  • Establish and maintain working relationships with community agencies, partnerships, and grassroots organizations
  • Chapter staff will create relevant resources, update resources, and archive these resources
  • Provide trainings on Restorative Justice and use the Restorative Justice practice model among interpersonal relationships and community partnerships, any time when there is a breakdown of diversity, inclusion, equity and bias.
• 4. Actively support, advocate, write, and lobby for legislation focused on anti-racist, oppression, and DEI initiatives. This includes structural and system practices within our Chapter, social work profession, and other professions and institutions.
  
  
  • Establish partnerships with community members, agencies that are actively involved in legislation advocating for racial and social justice action and change
  • Establish political relationships with State and local elective representatives, and other influential political leaders in Maryland
  • Chapter staff and committees to write legislation that supports the advancement of Maryland social workers through an anti-racial, DEI lens and framework.
  • Support NASW legislative DEI initiatives