1. Listing of Current Chapter Contacts

2. Chapter Development Handbook

3. Chapter Interest Survey Tool

4. Building Diversity in Chapter Development

Building Diversity in Chapter Development

As I was preparing for my presentation at the NACSW convention in St. Louis on the topic of “Dismantling Racism,” it occurred to me that I should offer some strategies for effective cross-cultural relations in chapter development. Many of these ideas I have gleaned from a variety of other resources. Please feel free to contact me if you would like me to point you in their direction:

1.      Promote racial diversity by holding a racial relations conference or by sponsoring a workshop on diversity issues.

2.      Plan a meeting exchange with a local National Association of Black Social Workers group (or another similar group).

3.      Read a book on racial issues and use it as a discussion topic for chapter meetings or chatroom discussions.

4.      Seek out racially/ethnically diverse leadership and workshop presenters.

5.      Sponsor a group from the chapter that would meet for fellowship with a focus on racial reconciliation.

6.      Encourage members' pastors to participate in racial reconciliation Sundays, sister church programs, pulpit exchanges, and cross cultural congregation church suppers.

7.      Seek relationships with diverse organizations: (for example, the National Urban League).

8.      Plan your meetings in diverse regions/neighborhoods/churches.

I’d love to hear other suggestions you might have as well!

Cindy Sutter-Tkel