InBrief
Volume 1: Issue 8
Welcome to the electronic newsletter for the alumni and friends of Smith College School for
Social Work. This publication will be produced no more than once a month with intervals
between publications being between four and six weeks. To submit an item to be
considered for a future issue of InBrief, please send it to sswalum@email.smith.edu Notices
must pertain to the School, its alumni, students, faculty and/or staff.
June 25, 2008
Contemplative Clinical Practice: An Advanced Certificate Program in
Spirituality and Social Work Practice – October 2-5, 2008 and April 23-26,
2009
Now in its second year, the Contemplative Clinical Practice Certificate deepens the
clinician’s awareness of the sacred dimension of his/her work by exploring his/her own
religious histories and spiritual practices, the clients’ spiritual beliefs and practices, and
the clinical relationship itself. For program and registration information go to:
http://www.smith.edu/ssw/geaa/academics_cecontemplative.php Application
deadline is June 27, 2008.
Current Trends In Social Work: July 17 & 19, 2008
The deadline to register for all July continuing education courses (Summer Seminars ~
Weekend C) is July 6! For information on courses, dates and time, go to
www.smith.edu/ssw/ced and select "Summer Seminars." Register online today for the quickest
access to classes and fast confirmation of your course preferences. If you have questions,
please contact us at sswced@email.smith.edu
Calling all Alumni - Volunteers Needed
Would you be willing to:
o Serve as a contact for prospective students who want to know if Smith is the
right place for them?
o Provide local information to a student headed for placement in your area?
o Help a recent graduate make connections in your geographic area?
o Mentor a student in placement?
Each year, alumni are surveyed to identify volunteer interests. We collect this
information anew every year as circumstances change and we do not assume that your
willingness and ability to perform a specific activity will carry over year after year. This
year, we are cutting down on printing expenses and making the form available online.
There are many ways to be involved and help support the School - check out the
opportunities today! To obtain a form go to:
http://www.smith.edu/ssw/alumni/documents/2008VolOpps-form.doc
Participation Requested - Important Faculty Study
Immigration has once again become an important topic in U.S. politics in recent years. Social work
practitioners are, as usual, at the frontlines. Little, however, is known about social work
practitioners’ views on immigration and immigrants. This study is designed to gather this
information. We hope to use the data gathered here to aid us in formulating future practice, policy,
and educational directions in social work. Yoosun Park, MSW, Ph.D., SCSSW Assistant Professor is
conducting this research. Contact her directly at ypark2@email.smith.edu with questions.
SURVEY DETAILS
1. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete.
2. Participation is VOLUNTARY. One can quit the survey at any time by simply closing the
web browser.
3. This is an ANONYMOUS survey. We will not track IP addresses and will not have any way
of linking answers to individuals or their email addresses.
4. Eligible participants will have COMPLETED a BSW and/or MSW degree AND are
CURRENTLY employed as a social worker (providing services such as counseling, case
management, administration, advocacy, community outreach, community organizing, etc.) in
the United States.
5. Please note that for research purposes, full-time faculty or academic appointees,
practicum students, and volunteer service providers are NOT ELIGIBLE for participation.
To take the survey, please click on this link, and PLEASE forward this link to your friends and
colleagues who also qualify. Thank you for your help!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ij1JX2c6I89v1WHogGa9zg_3d_3d
Reaching For Excellence - Seeking Qualified Nominations
Alumni and colleagues are our best resources. Do you know a stellar bachelor level
social worker who has worked in social work/human services a minimum of two years,
demonstrates a passion for their work, and does not yet have their Masters degree in
social work? If so, nominate him/her to Reaching for Excellence: The Maconda Brown
O’Connor Future Leader Program. This fully subsidized three-day weekend includes
courses and lectures at Smith College designed to challenge and stretch clinicians - and
to inspire future social work leaders! Nominations are due June 30, 2008.
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For more information on the program:
http://www.smith.edu/ssw/alumni/REX_F.pdf
For answers to frequently asked questions:
http://www.smith.edu/ssw/alumni/REX_Qs.pdf
For nomination form: http://www.smith.edu/ssw/alumni/REX_APP.pdf
If you wish to unsubscribe to InBrief, please send your request to sswalum@email.smith.edu. Be
sure to include your name and class year as we cannot identify you by your email address.