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Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Members

June 2009

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

Friday, June 26, 2009

National Office, Washington, DC

Board James Kelly, President

Members: Willie “Bo” Walker, Vice President Nelrene Yellow Bird, Secretary

Josefina Ahumada, Treasurer

Christina Austin-Valere

Diane Belinsky

Becky Fast

M. Vincentia Joseph

Esther Langston

Patricia Maxon

Christina Michels

Rosalie Migas

Linda Mockeridge

Sharon Otagaki

Donna Pincavage

Nelly Rojas Schwan

Robin Russel

Olga Sarabia

Mark Smith

Lann Thompson

ChandaWhite

Other Robert Arnold, Director, NASW Foundation

Members: Elizabeth Clark, Executive Director, NASW

Leticia Diaz, Consultant, International Affairs

Elizabeth Franklin, Project Manager/Lobbyist

Chris Herman, Sr. Practice Associate, Aging

Aurianne Iris, Student Intern

Jill Lawrenz, Volunteer, Government Relations

Luisa Lopez, Acting Director, Human Rights & Int’l Affairs

Rebecca Myers, Special Assistant to the Executive Director

Mark Nichols, Chair, Council of Chapter Executive Directors Kathyrn Wehrmann, Representative, Council of Chapter Presidents

Tracy Whitaker, Director, NASW Center for Workforce Studies & Practice

John Wibber. BPD Policy Fellow, Institute for the Advancement of

Social Work Research


June 2009

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

Friday, June 26, 2009


SUMMARY OF ACTIONS/MINUTES

The Annual Meeting of Members was convened at the NASW National Office on Friday, June 26, 2009.

The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:00 p.m., by President James Kelly.

Review and Approval of the Agenda

After review of the agenda, the following motion was taken:

M/S/Carried: (Thompson/Walker)

To approve the agenda for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Members as presented.

President’s Report

President James Kelly gave the following report:

My term as president of NASW began July 2008, just as the scope of the United States (and international)

economic crisis was being revealed.

July 2008 marked the start of NASW’s green initiative. The association’s goal was to reduce its carbon

footprint to help save the environment. Saving trees, fuel, and the higher costs of business as usual, we

made three sweeping changes:

1. The Board voted to switch the Delegate Assembly from an in-person gathering to a virtual one.

2. Social Work, NASW’s journal, is now made available online to save paper.

3. Future conferences will avoid paper handouts; flash drives will contain all pertinent information.

Flash drives afford attendees the added benefits of fast search capability and easy portability.

August 2008

Presided over the first virtual Delegate Assembly.

Participated in the IFSW meeting in Bahia, Brazil, in my official capacity as a member of the

Executive Committee of IFSW and Vice President for the North American region, which

constitutes the United States and Canada. NASW, as some of you may know, is the largest

member organization of IFSW where over 78 countries are represented. Former President Elvira

Craig de Silva and I also co-presented on “Social Service Agenda for the Next Decade” to an

audience of over 2300 social workers.

September 2008

Chaired a summit of experts on global social work for NASW’s SWAN (Social Work Across

Nations) program. Members of the US State Department, Health and Human Services/HRSA,

Peace Corps, and numerous deans and directors and CSWE representatives. We discussed

program development for international social work.


June 2009

October 2008

The NASW Foundation held the Social Work Pioneers’ and the Knee Wittman Awards

Luncheons. Sadly, it was during this time that Ruth Knee, former Board member and one of the

founding members of both events, passed away.

December 2008

Attended the CSWE Leadership meeting in Washington, DC.

January 2009

Attended the inauguration of President Barrack Obama, the first African American to achieve this

office. NASW/PACE supported his candidacy. I was extremely proud to be part of this historic

event.

March 2009

Delivered opening remarks at the Aging Practice Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than

400 social workers were in attendance.

April 2009

Gave the opening remarks for and participated in the Louisiana chapter’s annual conference and

also met with some of their leaders.

Attended and participated in Social Work Day at the United Nations, “Global Poverty:

Challenges for Social Work Practice” at Fordham University. This was another exhilarating and

exciting event for me to connect with social workers of all ages who have particular interest in

international social work development.

Participated in the “Seoul International Social Work Conference: Social Work Education,

Practice, and Development in the Asian Pacific Region,” as part of the Korean Association of

Social Workers conference, where I was well received. I presented and gave numerous television

and video interviews at no cost to the association.

Met with the representatives from the Mongolian Association of School Social Workers. In

Mongolia, every school has a social worker.

Chaired our first virtual Board of Directors meeting.

Rolled out the NASW partnership with the “Give An Hour” campaign for veterans. This

grassroots program provides pro bono mental health services to members of the military,

veterans, and their families. We received an excellent response to participate from our

membership.

May 2009

Chaired a virtual Board of Directors meeting.

Met with the leadership for the 2010 Joint World Conference on Social Work and Social

Development in Hong Kong (at no cost to the association).


June 2009

June 2009

Attended the ASI Board meeting in Charleston, SC.

Participated in the IFSW meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, where I reported on North

American social work activities.

All in all, the first year of my presidency has been a busy one with many opportunities to represent the

Association. I am grateful to each member of the Board for the support that I have received. Your

generosity has been remarkable.

To Betsy and the staff, thank you for your extraordinary work that gives me great pride, especially when I

am representing the Association as its president. We have challenges ahead of us, but I remain confident

in the leadership. I hope that all of you will continue to work together to make this Association even

stronger.

Certification of the Election Results

Board Secretary, Nelrene Yellow Bird, read the results of the 2009 elections which include positions for

the National Board of Directors and the National Committee on Nominations and Leadership

Identification. The results were ratified by the following vote:

M/S/Carried:

(Russel/Austin-Valere)

To ratify the 2009 NASW national election results.

Adjourn:

There being no further business, a motion was taken to adjourn the meeting at approximately 12:35 p.m.

M/S/Carried

(Walker/Ahumada)

To adjourn the 2009 Annual Meeting of Members.

Board of Directors’ Minutes Page 1

June 2009

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING

June 26-27, 2009


PARTICIPANTS

Present: James Kelly, President

Willie “Bo” Walker, Vice President

Nelrene Yellow Bird, Secretary

Josefina Ahumada, Treasurer

Christina Austin-Valere

Diane Belinsky

Becky Fast

M. Vincentia Joseph

Esther Langston

Patricia Maxon

Christina Michels

Rosalie Migas

Linda Mockeridge

Sharon Otagaki

Donna Pincavage

Nelly Rojas Schwan

Robin Russel

Olga Sarabia

Lann Thompson

ChandaWhite

Absent: Mark Smith

Staff: Elizabeth Clark, Executive Director, NASW

Robert Arnold

Michael Evans

Dawn Hobdy

Lisa Kingsley

Luisa Lopez

Sherri Morgan

Rebecca Myers

Carolyn Polowy

Samuel Reed, Jr.

Doreta Richards

Emily Trevault

Guests: Mark Nichols, Chair, Council of Chapter Executive Directors

Kathryn Wehrmann, Representative, Council of Chapter Presidents

Michael Daly, Co-Chair, Professional Review Task Force*

*Participated by phone


June 2009

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETNG

June 26-27, 2009

DRAFT SUMMARY OF ACTIONS/MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26 by President James Kelly and

began with an executive session of the Board.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

After review of the agenda, the following motion was taken:

M/S/Carried: (Walker/Thompson)

To accept the general agenda as revised and the consent agenda.

Comment: Minutes of the April and May 2009 Board of Directors’ meetings were approved on

the consent agenda.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Josefina Ahumada reported that as of May 31, 2009 NASW’s total asset position was

$14.3 million. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a decline of $2 million,

which is attributed to the unrealized loss on investments and continued costs associated with the

Defined Benefit Pension Fund obligations.

Regarding liabilities, there is an overall decline of $2.1 million from the same period last year.

Accounts payable decreased by $686,000. An additional $450,000 was paid into the pension

plan in June. There should be no carryover liability for next year.

M/S/Carried

(Mockeridge/Pincavage)

To receive the financial report as presented.


June 2009

Long-term Investments

M/S/Carried

(Maxon/White)

To approve the resolution proposed by the Finance Committee to recommend new target

asset allocations of 60 percent equities and 40 percent bonds and fixed income.

The Finance Committee requested a study from Vanguard, the Association’s investment

management company, to review NASW’s investment asset allocation, which was 50/50 through

June 30, 2009. The committee took the recommendation of Vanguard to change the allocation to

60 – 40 (equities and bonds) and also put in place safeguards around the ratio. The following

resolution was presented and adopted by the Board:

WHEREAS, the Finance Committee of the NASW Board of Directors has reviewed the current

investment policies and historical returns of the NASW Long-Term Fund, AND

WHEREAS, NASW desires to ensure that best practices are followed with regard to investment

asset allocation in terms of risk and return, and

WHEREAS, NASW desires to incorporate the best practices regarding investment asset

allocation as recommended by the Finance Committee,

It is hereby:

RESOLVED, that the NASW Board Directors approve a new target asset allocation for the

Long Term Investment Fund of 60% equities and 40% bonds and fixed income, with allowable

variation ranges of up to +5 or -10% for equities and +10 or -5% for bonds and fixed income to

allow for market fluctuations in value.

PROPOSED BUDGET

In her report, the Treasurer noted that the Finance Committee reviewed and recommended the

Board’s approval of the FY 2009-10 proposed, balanced budget. Total revenues are projected at

$19 million, of which $10.7 million (56%) is membership dues.

With regard to expenses, items included are: the Annual Leadership Meeting in April 2010 and

continued funding of the Social Work Reinvestment and Social Workers Across Nations

(SWAN) Initiatives; costs related to the transition of the NASW Communications Network

(NCN) into the NASW Foundation to institutionalize the Public Education Campaign; the

expansion of non-dues products and services to members and non-members and the support of

activities that are geared toward improving chapter viability. The Board was also advised of the

contingency plan that needs to be in place should market performance and the retirement of over


June 2009

20 eligible participants determine that the Defined Benefit Pension Plan will require additional

funding beyond the projected amount. Subsequently, the Board adopted the following motions:

M/S/Carried

(Rojas Schwan/Russel)

To accept the Finance Committee’s recommendation to approve the FY 2009-10

proposed budget as presented.

M/S/Carried

(Thompson/Pincavage)

To authorize the transfer of funds of up to two percent from the Building Fund to cover

any impending shortfall in the Defined Benefit Pension Fund.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Kelly reported that the Association has seen many challenges but we have managed to

overcome them and remain strong. He said that when compared to most professional

associations, NASW is doing well and that fiscal conservatism, use of modern technologies, and

Green initiative are indications that we are ahead. He noted that the Board should be proud of

where the Association is for its future.

Regarding NASW’s entities, the Assurance Service, Inc., (ASI) as a for-profit entity, has

developed and will continue to do so in the future.

The President also noted that staff has done an excellent job. Added to the challenges is the

complexity of the Association (i.e., the multiple layers, 56 states, laws and regulations, non-

profit and for profit entities) all of which must be managed on a daily basis.

In closing, President Kelly spoke of the 2010 Social Work Congress and the organizations that

have signed on as sponsors such as: the Baccalaureate Program Directors, the National

Association of Deans and Directors, the Council on Social Work Education and ASI. Statistics

from the 2009 NASW Annual Report were referenced, all of which the President remarked,

“should make us all proud.”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

In addition to her written report, Executive Director, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, spoke about the

importance of documenting the profession’s history for possible use by faculty in social work

schools. She gave brief reports on the Whitney Young Project, the 2010 Social Work Congress

and related events, and the Annual Leadership/Board meetings.

Dr. Clark mentioned also the National Salary Survey that had been sent to sister social work

organizations. She noted that there is not enough information about social work salaries and


June 2009

expressed hope that organizations will take advantage of the opportunity to participate and

receive salary information for their members.

GOVERNANCE POLICIES FOR CHAPTERS RELATED TO IRS FORM 990

In May 2009, the Board reviewed IRS Forms 990, 990-T (unrelated business income) and the

DC Tax Return. In addition, the Board reviewed and approved for implementation at the

National Office, five governance policies related to the Form 990: Conflict of Interest

Disclosure, Whistleblower, Joint Venture, Executive Compensation and Document Retention

and Destruction.

General Counsel, Carolyn Polowy, noted that because of NASW’s multi board chapter structure

and reporting forms that are filed annually by chapters, it was prudent for similar policies to be

implemented by chapter boards. Four policies, determined to be appropriate, were approved:

Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Whistleblower, Joint Venture and Document Retention. The

policies were previously discussed with chapters and responses received were favorable.

M/S/Carried

(Mockeridge/Joseph)

To adopt the resolution and related governance policies (Conflict of Interest Disclosure,

Whistleblower, Joint Venture and Document Retention) for implementation by chapter

boards.

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW TASK FORCE REPORT

The Professional Review Task Force was established in January 2009 to conduct a

comprehensive review of the existing processes for review of unprofessional and/or unethical

conduct by licensed social workers and NASW members and to develop a report and

recommendations to the Board. The Task Force was co-chaired by Lann Thompson, Board

member and Michael Daly, National Ethics Committee Chair and staffed by Dawn Hobdy,

Manager of the Ethics Department. A preliminary report was presented to the Board in April.

The Task Force report addressed: the viability of the NASW Procedures for Professional

Review; the surrogate complaint process; options for removing the national Executive

Committee from the review process; the use of the NASW Code of Ethics by states’ regulatory

bodies; the relationship between licensing boards and NASW; the distinctions between peer

review and professional discipline and the models of peer review used by other professional

associations. After five teleconference meetings, there was agreement that the current

procedures for professional review no longer achieve what is best for the Association. However,

the Task Force concluded that there is a need for professional review in the cases that were

directly reported to NASW, which were typically more serious in nature.

Several recommendations were put forward for consideration and the Board acted on

recommendation #1.


June 2009

M/S/Carried: (Russel/Joseph)

To receive the Professional Review Task Force report and commend the members for

their work.

M/S/Carried: (Langston/Mockeridge)

To accept recommendation #1 of the Task Force report, (that NASW discontinue the

current process of accepting surrogate complaints).

MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION REVIEW TASK FORCE

The Membership Classification Review Task Force was established to review the current

membership categories and criteria and propose recommendations for change. The Task Force

was chaired by Mark Smith, Board member, and Anne Marie Munson, Membership Services

Manager.

The report addressed the dues structure within current membership categories; changing trends in

association membership and the possibility of expanding and creating new member categories.

The report included several recommendations for consideration. However, it was suggested that

the general principle for the discussion and outcome should be viewed in terms of members’

benefits/entitlements/ privileges in juxtaposition to the cost of maintaining those benefits and

privileges.

After discussion, the Board received the Task Force report and adopted the following

recommendation with the understanding that there would be further study of the issue with final

recommendations to the Board.

M/S/Carried: (Mockeridge/Austin-Valere)

To receive the Membership Classification Review Task Force report.

M/S/Carried –unanimous

(Langston/Austin-Valere)

To adopt the recommendation of the Task Force to eliminate reduced dues for the

International, Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands chapters effective January 1, 2010.


June 2009

CDF CHAPTERS/NATIONAL OFFICE VOLUNTARY COOPERATION

Reporting on this agenda item, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Lisa Kingsley, said that the

accounting staff was tasked with the responsibility of assessing what would be involved if the

National Office were to assume the accounting functions of some CDF chapters. Staff examined

issues of transition and what it would take to continue those functions. A total of 14 different

functions were identified, some of which include: accounts payable, cash management,

processing payroll, benefits administration, investment management, financial management,

auditing, coordination of Form 990 and financial tax preparations and the steps required for

filing the appropriate forms.

The investigation indicates that in order for a pilot involving a minimum of 10 chapters to be

operationalized, it would take approximately 28 weeks. This would not include the audit

oversight and preparation of the IRS Form 990. To perform these functions, preliminary costs

obtained from the auditors, were prohibitive. Staff will continue to look at options to achieve

economies of scale.

REGION REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORT

Reporting for the Regional Representatives, Donna Pincavage said that an inconsistency in the

group’s use of resources made available was noted. The issue most pressing was the recent

communication to chapters whose health and/or life insurance coverage were included with the

National Office staff but with associated premiums paid for by the chapters. Based on the

insurance carrier’s definition of “staff” chapters were notified that the option of being pooled

with the National Office would discontinue and that they would have one year to obtain alternate

coverage.

Approximately 12 chapters consisting of a total of 17 individuals are affected by the change.

The Board was informed that the National Office is exploring options for providing coverage to

the chapters affected.

M/S/Carried:

(Pincavage/Austin-Valere)

To receive the Regional Representatives’ report.

AWARDS COMMITTEE REPORT

Committee Chairperson Becky Fast and member Christina Michels presented the 2009

recommendations for the national awards. The recipients are: Social Worker of the Year, Dr. S.

Megan Berthold of Los Angeles, California; Lifetime Achievement, Dr. Dorothy I. Height of

Washington, D.C.; Public Citizen of the Year, Harold House, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Public

Elected Official of the Year, State Representative Ruth Balser of Massachusetts.


June 2009

M/S/Carried: (Fast/Michels)

To accept the Awards Committee’s recommendations for the 2009 NASW National

Awards.

MEDICARE REQUIREMENTS FOR BSW HOSPICE WORKERS

There was a brief discussion about the final rule for Medicare Hospice Conditions of

Participation (COPS). The matter was brought to the Board because it is believed that there are

not enough MSWs in rural areas to provide supervision and that NASW’s position creates a

challenge for those BSW hospice workers.

In particular, the new COPS define qualifications for a social worker as: MSW with one year of

experience; or BSW, psychology, sociology, or other related field plus one year of experience,

working under the supervision of an MSW. The rule further states that BSWs who are employed

by hospices prior to the date the final rule takes effect do not require MSW supervision. For

many years NASW advocated to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that

hospice social workers should be licensed and trained at the master’s level and that social

workers with bachelor’s degrees should be supervised by MSWs. NASW contacted CMS

regarding these COPS to protest the provision allowing for people with related bachelor’s

degrees to provide these services, as long as they are supervised by an MSW. A copy of this

correspondence was provided to the Board prior to the meeting.

Contesting the inclusion of non-social workers in these COPS is seen as our first priority. In

addition, because the new head of CMS has not yet been appointed, advocating for any changes

to these regulations will be difficult for the forseeable future.

OTHER MATTERS

The meeting with Peter Delaney, Chief Executive Officer and President of OGE Energy

Corporation, regarding recruiting social workers in the Uniformed Services was mentioned.

Also, NASW was invited to the kick off of “United We Serve,” at which First Lady Obama was

the speaker. Rebecca Myers, Special Assistant to the Executive Director, represented the

Association. NASW was asked to be involved in follow-up conference calls. Board members

were invited to visit the Web site, www.serve.gov for further information. The federal site is

collecting stories on volunteerism. NASW will also collect information through its Web site,

which will be submitted for possible incorporation into the federal site.

http://www.serve.gove/


June 2009

Executive Session

M/S/Carried:

(Thompson/Sarabia)

To go into executive session.

M/S/Carried:

(Maxon/Michels)

To end executive session.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

APPROVED:

_________________________________ _________________

Nelrene R. Yellow Bird, LCSW, LAC Date

Secretary


June 2009

CONFIDENTIAL

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETNG

June 26-27, 2009

EXECUTIVE SESSION

M/S/Carried:

(Ahumada/Mockeridge)

To approve the Third Addendum to the Executive Director’s Employment Agreement. After

review of market salary studies for comparable size associations in the Metropolitan D.C. area

and discussion of the accomplishments of the Executive Director during the past fiscal year and

prior years, and after reviewing the status of the Association and its related entities it is moved:

That the Third Addendum to the Executive Director’s Employment Agreement be approved.

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