Explore Our Committees

Program & Events Committee

Chair: Dorothy Fleisher Vice Chair: Nicole Lomas

The purpose of the Program & Events Committee is to increase visibility of the CSWA, provide the supporters of the CSWA an opportunity to share in a common experience related to the Archives, and recognize those who have made significant contributions to California social welfare, particularly non-social workers, as well as those who have made outstanding contributions to professional social work education The committee plans and oversees CSWA events, including the annual CSWA Luncheon for the George D. Nickel Awards, the Frances Lomas Feldman Excellence in Education Award, and the Madeleine Stoner and Ralph Fertig CSWA Social Work Scholar Award. These events also serve as fundraising events to support the work of the Archives in collaboration with DOD. All board-supported events should be planned and executed in coordination with the Program & Events Committee, and all board and committee members are expected to actively support the success of CSWA programs and events.

Membership, Operations, Governance and Finance Committee

Co-Chairs: Barbara Hitchcock, and Barrett Johnson

The Membership & Operations half of this committee is primarily responsible for building and enhancing intra-organizational relationships and operations, including:

1. Developing and managing relationships with prospective and existing board and committee members, staff, interns, fellows, volunteers, and key strategic partners

2. Oversight of organizational facilities, property, equipment, leases, accounts (non-banking/financial), subscriptions, and day-to-day operations

This committee manages the recruitment, nomination, orientation, and engagement of CSWA members and affiliated persons and works with CSWA staff to maintain the CSWA Board & Committee Roster. The committee reports to the Board on current membership activity, including forthcoming expiring terms of board membership. It may submit recommendations for new board members for election at any board meeting, using guidelines and procedures approved by the Board. Each year, between March and June, and depending on the needs of the CSWA, the Committee extends invitations for additional terms of office to members whose terms will expire at the end of that fiscal year. CSWA By-Laws Amended and Based on members’ willingness, availability, and level of engagement as to continued service on the board, the committee submits a proposed membership reelection slate to the entire board for approval. Every two years, between March and June, the committee is responsible for conducting the election of board officers who assume duties on July 1.

The Governance & Finance half of this committee has three primary functions:

1. Promulgation, amendment, and enforcement of organizational bylaws and applicable policies

2. Budgetary and fiscal oversight

3. Strategic planning and partnerships. The committee also oversees the development, maintenance, and implementation of policies corresponding to these areas of responsibility, including managing amendments and revisions to the bylaws, developing organizational, operational guidelines, and approving operational guidelines for the other CSWA committees

The Vice President, or another Board member appointed by the President, co-chairs the committee, along with the Treasurer or other co-chair appointed by the President. The board Treasurer also chairs the standing Budget Subcommittee and is the primary contact for the assigned budget analyst within USC Social Work Advancement. Each year, the Governance & Finance Committee, in collaboration with the Treasurer, ensures the development of a proposed budget, which committee leadership presents to the Board for mark-up and approval. The committee also oversees the development of budgets for programs and events such as the annual CSWA Awards Luncheon and the Social Work Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony, monitors financial reports prepared by the Advancement Office, and prepares an annual financial report, along with quarterly updates when available, on all CSWA financial accounts, for review and approval by the Board of Directors. A board or committee member appointed by the President chairs the Strategic Planning Subcommittee, which oversees and manages strategic planning, partnerships, MOUs, or other agreements reflecting institutional relationships with USC and other entities.

Special Note: Although compliance and risk management issues are administratively three housed within the Governance & Finance Committee, all board members have fiduciary duties and responsibilities of due diligence related to proper oversight of organizational finances, resources, operations, and adherence to applicable statutes, regulations, and policies.

Diversity, Outreach & Development Committee

Co-Chairs: Shirley Aldana and Ruby Guillen

The Diversity, Outreach & Development (“DOD”) Committee focuses its efforts on:

1. Ensuring that CSWA’s programs, policies, practices, and culture reflect the NASW Code of Ethics with an emphasis on proactive, concrete measures to enhance inclusivity, accessibility, diversity, equity, and justice

2. Promoting and enhancing external relationships through outreach to the broader social work community using traditional, contemporary and innovative means of communication and engagement including, but not limited to, social media and digital technologies

3. Setting fundraising and development goals, including identifying, developing and implementing CSWA fundraising strategies, identifying and submitting grant funding applications, as well as engaging and following up with new and existing donors, contributors, supporters, and stakeholders

Consistent with endowment planning within the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, the CSWA endowment is designed to grow and maintain an independent, self-sustaining fund to ensure the ongoing efforts of the organization. The Committee is chaired by CSWA board member(s) who work collaboratively with a designated representative of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Advancement Office. The Committee includes the Advancement representative, CSWA board members, fellows, interns, and others as appointed by the President and provides regular status reports to the Board. The Development Committee shall work closely with the Program & Events Committee and the Hall of Distinction Committees to identify additional special events held to increase fundraising efforts. All board members are expected to actively support the efforts/activities of the Diversity, Outreach & Development Committee.

Archival Collections & Oral Histories Committee

Chair: Elise Johnson

Using guidelines for soliciting, gathering, and maintaining oral histories and materials collection established by the Board, the Collections Committee creates and implements an annual plan for conducting interviews and materials collection five activities, tracks and monitors the flow of information related to interviews and materials collection from initial contact throughout the collection process to placement of materials in the library CSWA By-Laws Amended and Approved by Board on January 13, 2020 5 of 5 archives, reviews and updates needs for the collection process, and recommends to the Board resource allocation for the collection activity. The size of the committee varies depending on the level of collection activity at any given time. The Committee may add non-board members with special expertise or create subcommittees for special projects. The Committee Chair must be a board member and is appointed by the President.

The CSWA Oral History Collection contains interviews with persons important in the history of social work in Southern California and in the nation. They offer insight and understanding of contemporary societal issues and potential solutions through their personal experience in the profession. The earliest interviews were audio only, and video interviews were instituted in 2005.

Examples of interviewees in the collection include Carmelita White, the first African-American graduate of the USC School of Social Work in 1932; George Nickel, one of the leaders in the advancement of social welfare in California and the founder of the CSWA, from his entrance into the profession during the Great Depression until his death (1990); and Charles Schottland, Social Security Commissioner during the Eisenhower administration and head of the U.S. Children's Bureau.

Selections from a few oral interviews of California Social Work Hall of Distinction members are featured in this exhibit, describing navigating the social work profession while facing political, social, and economic barriers, advocating for children and other underserved populations, influencing and promoting legislation and policy changes, conducting research, and working to increase diversity in social work.