Emerging Leaders

About Emerging Leaders

We are pleased to announce that this year’s conference will include a number of opportunities and activities for our youngest members and attendees. Through a new initiative called “Emerging Leaders”, NACSW will begin making a conscious and concerted effort to engage and meet the unique needs of our students, young professionals (less than 2 years of experience) and young scholars (under age 35). If you fall into one of these categories, the 2014 conference in Annapolis is the perfect opportunity for you to connect with other Emerging Leaders like yourself.

At the conference, you can expect:

· A presentation in the opening session introducing the Emerging Leaders initiative;

· Access to NACSW Board Members committed to young Christian social workers, ready to meet and dialogue with you in the Exhibit Area;

· Social events planned just for you.

Social Events for Emerging Leaders

There will be two separate social events geared toward Emerging Leaders – one for Young Professionals (those under 35 and/or with less than 2 years of experience in the field) and one for Students. At each of these events, refreshments will be served. These events are casual opportunities for networking and fellowship with others as well as venues for providing feedback to and asking questions of NACSW Board Members. We hope to see many of you there!

Young Professionals Social: Friday at 12:45pm, during lunch break

Student Social: Friday at 9:00pm

Both events will take place in the Lookout Room (within the onsite Ports of Call restaurant).

Why Emerging Leaders?

For more than sixty years, NACSW has been wrestling with what it means to equip its members to integrate Christian faith and professional social work practice. NACSW's Emerging Leaders Initiative seeks to identify and nurture leaders among the next generation of practitioners and academics as they take up this task. Rooted in the belief that intergenerational interaction is Biblical (Psalm 145: 4) and that the youngest among us can and should contribute greatly (1 Timothy 4:12), NACSW is working diligently to engage, meet the unique needs of, and thoughtfully integrate its youngest members into the field of social work and the Christian presence we provide.

PSALM 145:4

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation commends your works to another;

    they tell of your mighty acts.

5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b]

6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—

    and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They celebrate your abundant goodness

    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

I TIMOTHY 4:12

Do not let people look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Who Are Emerging Leaders?

Current BSW, MSW, or PhD Students
New Social Work Professionals (less than 2 years of experience)
Young Academics (under 35 years old)

What Does NACSW Offer to Emerging Leaders?

Opportunities for networking and fellowship at annual conferences
Connecting with potential employers
Mentorship
Connections for licensure supervision
Support for navigating graduate school and dissertation completion
Online CEU program
Job board
Opportunities for publication and professional presentations

How Can Emerging Leaders Get Involved?

Join NACSW
Join NACSW Facebook Page
Attend the Annual Conference and Emerging Leaders Socials
Request a Mentor
Volunteer in leadership of the Emerging Leaders Campaign

Questions?

If you have any questions, please send an email to: emergingleaders@nacsw.org.