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Candidate Position Statements 2014-2015
For Secretary (select one):
Leslie Yarborough, LISW-CP
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: Quality Assurance Coordinator
SC Department of Mental Health
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW:
Currently serve on the NASW SC Spring Symposium Committee (2013, 2014)
Formerly served as Central Unit Representative and as Secretary
POSITION STATEMENT
I feel very strongly that all social workers should be members of our professional
organization. I believe you get out of something what you put into it; by serving on the
board, I will get more out of the organization while contributing too. It is up to all of us
to make the Chapter what we want it to be.
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For Treasurer-Elect (select one):
Debra Donahue, MSW
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: Director, Florence County Dept of Social Services
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW:
NASW membership in Michigan, Nevada, Served on the conference committee in Nevada
POSITION STATEMENT
Leadership and business skills are assets that I can bring to the position. I have a sincere
interest in improving the quality of work and life for social workers, families and children
in South Carolina through building a strong state chapter that is focusing on addressing
the diverse needs in this state.
Gary Tyson, LMSW, MPH
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: Executive Director – Haven in the Summit Assisted Living
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW: None
POSITION STATEMENT
Not provided
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For MSW Student Representative (select one):
Aaron Guest, MSW Student
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health Student at the
University of South Carolina
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW:
Government Affairs Committee Member 2012-Present
SC NASW MSW Student Representative 2013-Present
Membership Retention & Recruitment Committee Chair 2013-Present
POSITION STATEMENT
As the current student representative I have worked to increase student involvement in the
activities of the chapter. I believe it is essential that students are involved in the processes
and efforts of the profession and if re-elected will continue to advocate for our voice and
for the profession.
Shereza Middleton
POSITION STATEMENT
Not provided
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For BSW Student Representative (select one):
Jubilee Smith, BSW Student
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: N/A
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW: Student member
POSITION STATEMENT
I would like to be the BSW student representative because I feel that I have a lot to offer
to the NASW both nationally and locally. If elected I plan to help other BSW students
become aware of how they can become involved with the NASW, and how becoming a
member of the NASW can benefit them in the future. I also plan to continue advocating
for children, youth, and families which is my passion and why I decided I wanted to
become a social worker.
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FOR UNIT REPRESENTATIVES
Southern Unit (select one):
Sarah Cross (withdrew her candidacy)
Taryn Dominguez, LMSW
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION:
Social Worker/ Care Manager
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW: Current Member
since 2007
Previous Positions Executive Board Member, Board Member, Member of the Editorial
Committee, Member of the CEU Committee, Southern Unit Representative 2009-2011
POSITION STATEMENT
As a past Southern Unit Representative (2009-2011), I am ready to run again. I will continue
to recruit members in getting excited and more involved in social work. I will help NASW to
become more visible in local politics and rally my fellow social workers to not only advocate
for clients, but to let the media know the importance of social work. I will to help increase
CEUs and other Social Work centered events. By becoming the Southern Unit
Representative, I firmly believe that I can help the Social Work profession gain ground in
our ever changing world!
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Western Unit (select one):
Amy Knight, MSSW, LMSW, C-ASWCM
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: Certified Geriatric Care Manager at Geriatric Resource
Services, Inc.
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW: None
POSITION STATEMENT
A mentor once told me that we, as social workers, have to be advocates for ourselves if we
are to be advocates for others. Thank you for considering me to serve as a NASW leader as
I have incorporated this good advice into my own professional values.
Central Unit (SELECT ONE):
Eloise Fomby Denson, BBA, MBA, MdEC, PhD, ThD, MSW, DD
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: CEO, CFO, Associate Minister, Community Advocate
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CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW: NASW SC
Chapter Board Member, Central Unit Representative & Symposium Committee member
POSITION STATEMENT
As Central Unit Representative, I want to continue working with Unit’s members and NASW
Board by keeping them informed of the Unit’s activities, training and concerns. My interests
are social justice, veterans’ issues, mental health, equal pay and rights, health care, public
policy, promoting the social work profession and NASW.
Angela Groce LISW-CP, ACSW, C-SWCM
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EAP COUNSELOR
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW:
SC NASW Board Member: MEMBER AT LARGE (2007 – 2009)
POSITION STATEMENT
I am not new to the South Carolina –National Association of Social Work (SC-NASW)
Board. I have held the position of Member At Large. I am a Licensed Independent Social
Worker – Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) working with the Department of Justice at the
National Advocacy Center. I was a Department of Defense Social Worker for 18 years, and
have worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbia, SC.
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Pee Dee Unit (select one):
Amanda Stoveken, LMSW
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION:
Information, Referral and Assistance Specialist with the Waccamaw Regional Council of
Governments.
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW:
None, this is my first time applying to be a part of the NASW.
POSITION STATEMENT
As the IR/A Specialist for the region’s Area Agency on Aging, one component of my job is
bringing together the services and resources of the area with clients who need them most.
I hope to represent our region and continue my work building bridges between our amazing
organizations and clients.
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Northern Unit (select one)
Barry Keith, LISW-CP, DCSW
POSITION STATEMENT
I would like to continue to grow our enrollment for the area. This would include getting
younger members involved. The attendance for a monthly meetings is a constant and I
would like to maintain that if not grow the attendance.
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Western Unit (select one)
Jerome Hall MSW, LMSW
CURRENT TITLE/POSITION: CEO Project Calm LLC
CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITIONS/INVOLVEMENT WITH NASW: N/A
POSITION STATEMENT
I am Jerome Hall MSW, LMSW, CEO of Project Calm LLC. I have over thirty years of
experience working to improve the circumstances of others and advocating for social
justice. I fully commit to engaging other Social Workers in upholding the fundamental
values of the social work profession; including recognizing the worth, dignity, and
uniqueness of all persons. I fully commit to continuing the social education of others and
advocating for social justice in all forms.
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Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification Candidates
Central Unit (select one)
Diane Thompson, PhD
POSITION STATEMENT
I strongly believe in the significance of professionalism in social work practice. S.C NASW
has a significant role in the effort to consistently promote the profession and support the
enhancement of social workers’ skills, knowledge and tenacity in order to address many
different approaches to enhancing people’s lives. This Committee has a very significant
role in recruiting social workers who have a strong commitment to the organization and
the profession.
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Southern Unit (select one)
Annette Dingle-Miller, LISW-CP
POSITION STATEMENT
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Be professional and aspires to principles in the NASW Code of Ethics
Be an active participant in decision-making as it pertains to this position
Supports decisions made by the majority, regardless of personal preferences
Impacts NASW growth through sponsorship of new board members and encourages retention
by making others feel welcome and included
Catawba Unit (select one)
Shirley McClerklin-Motley
POSITION STATEMENT
I am running for a position on the CNLI Committee because I am very interested in ensuring that
there are qualified persons running for positions on the NASW-SC Board.