March Is Social Work Month! Prepare Now For "Shout Out!" Day

The information contained in this blog entry was taken (and slightly adapted) from an email distributed by Dr. Robin Sakina Mama, Professor and Dean of the School of Social Work at Monmouth University. In Dr. Mama's email she asked that social work students and faculty mobilize on March 31st to stage various “Shout Out!” events to bring attention to the social work profession.

Shout-Out! is an effort to elevate the professional status of social workers, our visibility, and increase positive public perceptions. The NASW-PA, the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, and other social work leadership have developed a model toolkit to assist other states, schools, and communities in hosting "Social Work Shout Out! events".  The idea is based on the belief that the more locations in the country where social workers stand outside on corners, train stations, city blocks, or even the only red light in town (at the same time) the greater the impact of each small event.  If social workers can show our unity and our size through a series of small, simple action, we can continue the difficult work of educating the general public about the hard work we do.

For additional information on the Shout Out!, see the toolkit link below that can be utilized and adapted to a variety of "Shout-Out!" events/activities at  http://www.nasw-pa.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=122 
 
The toolkit includes the following information:

1)           A basic planning guide
2)           A sample press release
3)           A sample flyer
4)           Talking points about the profession
5)           A PDF of a brochure to educate the general public about the profession that was developed by NASW-PA
6)           A PDF of a graphic that could be printed on visibility signs

For further assistance, contact the National Association of Social Workers, Pennsylvania Chapter, at (717) 232-4125.

"Cloud Computing", It's More Than Just a Cool Buzz Word

In the last six months or so I have been hearing a great deal of buzz about "Cloud Computing". Cloud Computing is not a reference to Cirrus, Cumulous, Stratus or the other forms of clouds related to the science of meteorology.  I recently saw an AT&T television commercial professing the benefits of Cloud Computing and how much better life in the cloud is. I must say, I was intrigued by the concept and decided to explore this latest hot tech resource. Being one who uses three different flash drives, numerous documents on my laptop, desktop, and iPhone, Cloud Computing carried some interest for me.

In my research on Cloud Computing I found there is really no universal definition for this concept. Much has been written lately in popular IT magazines and e-books on Cloud Computing, so almost everyone has attempted to garner a definition. The most simplistic, albiet understated definition I could find for Cloud Computing was "on-demand web-based services". I will not attempt to add to the confusion by providing my own definition, instead I will share how I have used this newest form of technology.

For me Cloud Computing has provided a sense of comfort and freedom knowing that I can now save all my written documents and pictures on a secure server that I can access from any computer/smart phone/tablet, anywhere as long as I can access the internet. I no longer need to save files on my flash drive, computer hard drive, or send myself email attachments of documents (Power Point, Word files, Excel, and others). With Cloud Computing I can save ALL my files using FREE "Cloud" based tools, such as Google Docs or Dropbox and access the files anywhere. Through these Cloud providers I can access my files and make changes, my changes are then "synced" across all my devices. If I am working on a project with others, I can give these individuals or groups access to my files and they too can make changes. Any changes to the files are date stamped and the name of the person making the change(s) is recorded.

If you use a computer regularly and need remote access to documents no matter where you are in the world, store multiple files on thumb/flash drives, or work with others on projects requiring that you send/receive e-mail attachments, I would encourage you to consider using cloud based storage solutions.

"Cloud Computing" is more than just a cool buzz word.

An Open Letter (not an email) to Social Work Students

January 16, 2011

Social Work Student
911 School of Social Work Lane
Anytown, USA 11111


Dear Social Work Student:

I hope this letter finds you doing well. I am writing to say how very pleased I am to hear of your interest in the profession. When I began my social work program many, many years ago I had no idea what to expect as a soon-to-be social worker, what I did know was that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

I was a social work student during the mid-late 1980s, and as you might imagine life was very different then. I would like to share a few words of wisdom to help guide you on your path to becoming a tremendous social worker. Before you sit in your next social work classroom (whether it is virtually or in real life), think about what our world might be like in the next 20-25 years and how as a social worker you might make a difference.

In order to make an impact in the future you must be knowledgeable about the issues/challenges individuals face. This means you cannot afford to take shortcuts with your education. Please read (yes read) your textbooks and related readings prior to going to class, don't just rely on the professor's lectures, PowerPoint slides, and class discussions because it won't be enough to prepare you for tomorrow's challenges. Please treat your professors and classmates with respect and listen to each other for the purpose of understanding others' views, even if you disagree.

Exercise your critical thinking and problem-solving skills (this means don't avoid research and math based courses)! As you engage in complex problem-solving exercises, you are better preparing yourself to tackle complex issues in the workplace when under stress and pressure. As you sit in your social work classes, please do focus, listen, engage, and try to learn as much as possible from your professors and each other. Fight the desire to check Facebook and send text messages. The professor knows you are not engaged and your classmates, distracted and annoyed by your behaviors may secretly report you to the professor.

I know this has been a long letter, but I hope this information proves helpful. Please know that you can write me back anytime and ask any questions you might have. Take good care, I hope to hear great things from you in the future.

Love,

Cybersocialworker

Cell Phone Etiquette Is Not An Oxymoron

During 2010, I owned three different cell phones. I have never been one to chase the latest greatest toys, but clearly 2010 was a terrific year for the mobile communications industry. We welcomed the first 4G phone among other major technological breakthroughs. Cell phones today are targeted toward a broad range of diverse populations, ranging from the aged to the poor. More recently, we have begun also targeting babies for cell phone use, even though they are far too young to form actual words. While too young to form verbal language, they are old enough to mimic cell phone behavior.
 

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Given society's preoccupation with cell phones, it has become even more important to teach our children/youth appropriate cell phone etiquette. Cell phone etiquette is not an oxymoron! During the holidays I had the opportunity to travel from the Midwest to south Florida. During my hours waiting in the airport I decided to consciously observe cell phone behavior. I decided to observe phone behaviors as a result of becoming increasingly annoyed by a loud woman who was oblivious and completely unaware her cell phone use was impacting those around her.  Interestingly, several of the individuals I observed using their cell phones in the airport were traveling with others whom they rarely engaged. These cell phone users appeared more content calling others rather than engaging those with whom they were actually traveling. I identified several characteristics in those I observed, which included the following:

1) The majority of cell phone offenders were female (bummer);
2) lack of awareness of their speaking volume and conversational tone;

3) lack of awareness of the inappropriate nature of their conversations (topics were too personal and unsuitable for public consumption);

4) lack of awareness (or concern) for how their conversations impacted those around them;

5) inability or lack of desire to engage the other individual(s) with whom they were traveling;

I do not believe these individuals behaved poorly while using their cell phone for the sake of annoying others, instead I believe they behaved badly because they were simply unaware of their cell phone behavior. The next time you use your cell phone in public or at home, I ask that you use it consciously. Be present in your physical surroundings; be aware of how your cell phone use may be impacted those around you. Be mindful that children/youth may be watching you and will mimic your behavior, it's how children learn behavior. 

While we may never challenge a person we don't know in public who may be annoying us as a result of their cell phone conversations, we CAN monitor and change our own behavior.

There's Nothing On TV...

How many times have you or someone in your household uttered the words, "there's nothing on TV"? What does this mean exactly? Most American households today have digital TV (so called free TV), cable TV, internet TV, and/or a myriad of other forms of entertainment delivered through our TVs.

I think when we say there's nothing on TV what we are really saying is I need someone (not in the real world)  to entertain and engage me. Some of my friends joke about being in the same house with their spouse/children, but seeing each other rarely because they are living in different areas or zones of the house watching their own individual TVs. These families only see each other when they are passing through a zone of the house on the way to the kitchen to get food only to be taken back to their individual living zones. Some of these families send text messages from room-to-room, and individual-to-individual, while never actually uttering a verbal word. This behavior may occur all weekend in some families and is considered normal.

I really, really enjoy technology, but this familial misuse of technology can't help but have lasting negative affects on the family unit and our society as we know it. As I write this blog I can't help but think about how people may have reacted to the invention of the telephone, and other technological advances that improved familial communication across distances. The invention and mass production of the early telephone helped bridge the gap and bring together family/friends separated by distance. In today's family it may be the technology that is creating the distance within the family household.

Our consumer-driven 24/7, 365, high-paced, high energy, always accessible, never say no, make as much money as you can, work as many hours as you can, secure more toys (cars, houses, spouses, jobs, etc.) than your neighbors, don't know your neighbors culture has us forgetting what is truly important, deep, meaningful relationships with our families and friends.

There are few regrets in life that don't include wishing we had taken more time to talk with our loved ones, or having built wonderful experiences to recall later in life. Many of us are guilty of vegging-out on the couch on a Saturday afternoon, but let's remember the next time we say "there's nothing on TV" that there are others who would love to spend time in real life engaging and entertaining us, so let's talk and really get to know each other.

Reinvent Yourself and Pursue Your Passion

I have been a social worker for nearly 23 years. The beauty of social work is its versatility and the ability to reinvent ourselves as social workers. Not many professions offer the opportunity to change what we do as our life goals change. I am at a very special time in my life based on my professional experiences, that time in life when many people begin thinking about what their second act might be. This time in my own life has afforded me the opportunity to engage many other social workers at a crossroads.

I have uncovered a new passion, something I am pretty good at, helping social workers explore their own thoughts and fears, and how to help them uncover their own hidden talents and suppressed gifts. What I enjoy most about my work is helping social workers reinvent themselves based on embracing their special talents and gifts, whatever they might be. I feel energized each time a social worker I have worked with decides to pursue an area they long suppressed for fear of failure.

The best part of this for me is that I am still doing social work and my personal gift has allowed me to reinvent myself and pursue what gives me passion. As social workers, it is our job to help others uncover their hidden potential; however, we seldom take the time to explore our own passion and what may make us happy and fulfilled beyond our roles as social workers.

If you are approaching a crossroads in your life, wondering what your second act might be, take the time to reinvent yourself and pursue your passion. You might be surprised to find your special gift may allow you to pursue your passion while making a living doing it.

Cyberbullying Can Happen to Anyone, Even a Social Worker?

Cyberbullying can happen to anyone. I began my teaching career as an adjunct instructor seven years ago at a college in my community. I absolutely love teaching and take great pride in seeing students achieve academic success, especially when they may not have known they were capable. While I enjoy teaching immensely, my students know that I will push them to do their very best; I require regular attendance and class participation.

I became aware of a website called "ratemyprofessor.com", a few graduate students actually told me about it. Nearly a year ago, I became the victim of cyberbullying at the hands of a student. Prior to my cyberbully experience I would visit this website to monitor student feedback once or twice a semester, I rather enjoyed the comments as they were pretty positive. I never thought I would become a cyberbully victim.

 The comments my cyberbully posted were relentless, blatantly untrue and extremely hurtful. Yes, even though the comments my bully posted were untrue, I couldn't help but wonder if the students reading these comments would believe them to be true. I found myself becoming increasingly embarrassed and almost consumed by the thought of my colleagues reading these statements. My cyberbully posted over 20 comments in just a few months; he poorly attempted masking his writing style. His writing skills and comprehension were very poor, and I actually felt badly for him. I love technology, and couldn't believe my reputation was being "slammed" in such a public arena as the result of a disgruntled student. 

As the semester progressed my visits to the website had become daily fearing what the student would say next. I eventually decided it wasn't mentally healthy for me to hide in the shadows and fear my student cyberbully. Afterall, I am a social worker! I had been victimized in cyberspace, but refused to be bullied in the real world; his behavior in the classroom became more bizarre and his mental health questionable. He was not passing the course (he would fall asleep in class and was often inappropriate during class discussions) and it was important to me not to change the way I engaged him. I challenged his inappropriate behavior in class when warranted and gave him the grades he earned on assignments regardless of how his posts escalated.

After the semester, I contacted ratemyprofessor.com the old fashioned way, I mailed a letter to their Office of General Counsel. I provided them the name of the student and asked that all posts from his IP be removed. Surprisingly, approximately 1 week after sending my letter all of the negative comments posted by my cyberbully had been removed; shortly thereafter I received a letter from the website's legal department informing me of the outcome.

I am pleased this personal case of cyberbullying ended as it did, my professional self esteem was restored along with my teaching reputation. I take comfort in knowing my cyberbully was confronted by the website and that as an educator and social worker I remained true to my professional values and ethics. It is not always possible to directly confront a cyberbully and cyberbullying can occur among children and adults.

As a result of this experience I learned that cyberbullying can happen to anyone, even a social worker.