PREAMBLE
Social Workers traditionally have been committed to improving American life through voluntary association of a sociopolitical nature. The involvement of Social Workers in social movements and political processes has taken many forms and concentrated on various elements needing improvement in American society and government, depending on many factors within the profession’s development.
Social Workers from the National Association of Social Workers have sought to renew and strengthen their organizational and professional focus in the political process by forming a national voluntary association for collective action which is the Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE). To secure the benefits of similar participation in chapter political processes, NASW-AR PACE was established to define a political action group for professional Social Workers in the Chapter of Arkansas.
WHO IS NASW-AR PACE?
You are! Through NASW-AR PACE, social workers like you can make contributions to support progressive candidates and volunteer to work on campaigns of NASW-AR PACE endorsed candidates.
WHAT ARE NASW-AR PACE’S GOALS?
NASW-AR PACE recognizes the importance of social workers’ roles in the formulation of sound public policy and seeks to build constructive working relationships with elected officials by:
- Advancing social workers as candidates for public office.
- Organizing social workers to help elect endorsed candidates to public office who support legislation and public policy consistent with the aims of NASW-AR.
- Providing political education about endorsed candidates and issues to members of NASW-AR.
- Promoting the adoption of public policy through political action that is in the interest of the social work profession and consumers of social work services.
HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS?
Political action is the key. The involvement of thousands of social workers working together can dramatically increase our influence and power in the political process. With your commitment and support, we can strengthen the voice of social work in the Arkansas General Assembly. You can be a part of the NASW-AR PACE team by:
- Contributing to the NASW-AR PACE fund. These funds are used to provide financial support to candidates and to organize social workers to work on campaigns.
- Volunteering to work for an NASW-AR PACE endorsed candidate.
- Serving as a local organizer for social work participation in grassroots political activity.
- Helping candidates for public office build ties to the social work community by sponsoring candidate forums.
CONTRIBUTIONS
If you would like to contribute to the NASW-AR PACE fund to support progressive candidates or volunteer to work on campaigns of NASW-AR PACE endorsed candidates, please e-mail Holly at hbarron@naswar.org. For information on the income and expenditures of NASW-AR PACE or any other Arkansas political action committee, visit the Arkansas Secretary of State financial disclosure search website.
COALITIONS
NASW Arkansas Chapter is currently represented in the following coalitions:
Arkansas Advocates’ for Children & Families Kids Count Coalition to promote, protect and unify the interests of the children and families of Arkansas.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to assist victims of violence gain and maintain their freedom from abuse; to support parents fighting to protect their children from an abusive partner or ex-partner within the court system; and to support NCADV’s public policy efforts aimed at educating national leaders on the issue of domestic violence and influencing national legislation, policy and funding decisions that keep victims of violence safe.