DIVERSITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

(Revised June 3, 2016)

Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The term diversity is used with the understanding that it is inclusive of:

“race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical disability”

(NASW Code of Ethics, 2008).

NASW’s Official Affirmative Action Policy Statement

“NASW’s broad-based commitment to affirmative action incorporates diverse groups who have been historically or are currently oppressed, underserved, and underrepresented, including people of color, people with disabilities, people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, women, older people, and people who are disadvantaged or oppressed because of life circumstances. This list in no way, however, reflects all groups who have been historically and currently oppressed.” (Social Work Speaks, 2006-2009)

General Chapter Demographic Background

As of June 2015, the NASW-MA membership is comprised of 7,506 members from the 6 geographical regions of the state. The following charts reflect the current demographics of ITS membership:

ETHNIC/RACIAL ORIGIN / Massachusetts Chapter - June 2014 / Massachusetts Chapter - June 2015
Number / Percent / Number / Percent
African American / 180 / 2.00 / 179 / 2.38
Asian or Pacific Islander / 104 / 1.00 / 108 / 1.48
Chicano/Mexican / 13 / 0.20 / 16 / 0.02
Native American / 8 / 0.10 / 8 / 0.01
Other / 118 / 2.00 / 124 / 1.65
Other Hispanic/Latino / 91 / 1.00 / 86 / 1.15
Puerto Rican / 53 / 0.70 / 57 / 0.75
White/Caucasian / 5291 / 69.0 / 5172 / 68.9
Blank / 1854 / 24.0 / 1756 / 23.4
TOTAL / 7,712 / 100% / 7,506 / 100%
GENDER / June 2014 / June 2015
Number / Percent / Number / Percent
Female / 6317 / 82.00 / 6115 / 81.5
Male / 1057 / 14.00 / 1028 / 13.7
Other / 4 / 0.05 / 3 / .04
Transgender / 1 / 0.01 / 3 / .04
Unmarked/blank / 333 / 4.00 / 357 / 4.75

Introduction

The Massachusetts Chapter of NASW recognizes the importance of diversity within the profession and prioritizes the development of diverse leadership and membership. Priorities will require development in the following four areas:

The Chapter will direct action in the following four areas

1.  Membership Development

2.  Professional Development

3.  Advocacy

4.  Chapter Communication and Image

Membership Development

Purpose: (1) To recruit and retain social workers from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds for

Chapter membership.

(2) To engage and empower members of racially and culturally diverse backgrounds in

Chapter leadership and activities.

Goals:

·  Over the next five years, increase the overall number of members from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds at least by the proportion of new members joining the Massachusetts Chapter.

·  Urge new and renewing members to complete the demographic information section on the membership application. This data will be used to track trends in diversity among our membership.

·  Encourage individuals from racially and culturally diverse populations to enter the social work profession and to join the Chapter.

·  Recruit Chapter leaders from under-represented populations. Provide diversity goals to the Chapter’s Nominations and Leadership Identification committee.

·  Work toward establishing a group to address racial and cultural diversity issues in relation economic and social justice.

·  Train and support student ambassadors in recruiting racially and culturally diverse social work students to become Chapter members.

Professional Development

Purpose: (1) To ensure Chapter programming reflects the needs and interests of racially and

culturally diverse populations.

(2) To educate social workers on all forms of oppression and provide strategies to overcome them.

Methods:

·  Offer bi-annual continuing education programs focusing on working with diverse populations and/or targeting forms of oppression.

·  Recruit presenters who represent diverse populations to lead continuing education programs/trainings.

·  Partner with various agencies to implement continuing education programs within communities of color

·  Require continuing education presenters to include applications to diverse populations.

·  Ensure the NASW Symposium incorporates presentations addressing diversity and affirmative action.

Advocacy

Purpose: To utilize the political forum to highlight issues of diversity and affirmative action.

Methods:

·  Sponsor/co-sponsor a minimum of two bills per legislative session that would directly benefit under-represented groups in Massachusetts.

·  Participate in coalitions advocating for the rights of diverse populations.

·  NASW-PACE, the Chapter’s political action arm, will consider candidate diversity in its criteria for candidate endorsement, with the goal of diversifying the Massachusetts legislature. PACE only endorses and supports political candidates who possess a commitment to diversity.

Communication and Image

Purpose:

(1) To assure that imagery in all of the Chapter’s media reflects the diversity both

of our profession and the communities in which we work.

(2) To educate the Chapter’s leadership and membership on diversity issues and initiatives.

Methods:

·  At the least quarterly, provide an article in FOCUS on one of the following:

o  Recognizing the accomplishments of NASW members from diverse backgrounds.

o  Highlighting Chapter shared interest groups or coalitions addressing the needs of diverse populations.

o  Educating members on issues of diversity and oppression.

o  Addressing the needs of diverse social workers.

·  Utilize social media platforms to share articles and inform members about issues or initiatives

affecting individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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