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From our deskin thenewsContinued from page 3The Alberta Learning Information System (ALIS) has just produced a video for those interested in becoming social workers.Andrea Layton, BSW, RSW, was the star of the show. She spoke of her work in the field and the characteristics of a socialworker. Check out the link to the video on our website:acsw.ab.ca/public/what we do/promote social work/what is social workScott Stewart, MSW, RSW, Chair of the Gerontological Social Workers Interest Group, was interviewed for Canadian LivingMagazine. The article, to be published in the November 2011 issue, focuses on caring for aging parents.Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW2012 Conference, Edmonton March 22 - 24Our theme for this year’s conference is Social Work: Celebrating the Person and the Professional. Our work spans a wide rangeof activities, serves diverse populations, and encompasses many roles. Who are social workers? What makes us unique? HowAbout Brenédowe helpprofessionalsunderstandwhatdo andof howweGraduatedo it? In your field of practice, how is the social workDr. BrenéBrownotheris a professorand vulnerabilityresearcherat theweUniversityHoustonCollege of Social Work. Because vulnerability is at the center of many thoughts, feelings, and behaviors,identitydescribed? How do we communicate all this to our clients?her research topics cover a broad range of emotions and experiences, including shame, courage, andauthenticity. Brené writes,“BrenéBrown,vulnerabilityPhD, LMSW,will beour keynoteIn our culture,has becomesynonymouswith speaker. A research professor at the University ofweakness. We associate vulnerability with emotions like fear, shame,HoustonGraduateCollegeofSocialWork,sheand scarcity; emotions that we don’t want to discuss, even when they has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability,profoundly affect every aspect of our lives.courage, authenticity, and shame. Brené is now using that work to explore a concept she callsTo reduce our feelings of vulnerability, we wake up every morning,wholeheartedness.puton our game face, and rarely take it off - even at home. We useinvulnerability as a shield to protect us from uncomfortable emotionsandstrugglesand doinvulnerabilitywe learn tohasembraceprice.our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we canengage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion,Vulnerability is indeed at the core of difficult emotions, but it isalsobirthplace ofthatauthenticity,joy, love,belonging,andtheconnectionwe need courage,to recognizethatwe are enough—that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?accountability, innovation, inspiration, creativity, and spirituality.When we avoid or shut down vulnerability, we lose access to theexperiencesthat giverenownedpurpose and meaningto ourlives. has wonA nationallyspeaker,Brenénumerous teaching awards, including the ngwork has beenhave to start with a conversation about vulnerability - this is where our story begins.”featured on PBS, NPR, and CNN, and was the topic of twoBrené spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and fear, and is now using2010TEDx talks (HoustonandKansas City).that work to explore a concept that shecalls Wholeheartedness.She poses thequestions:If we wantto change the way we live, love, parent, teach, lead organizations, and build communities, weBrenéBrownHow do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives froma place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connectionBrenéis the author of The Gifts of Imperfection: Lettingthat we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?GoofWhoThinkteachingWe ShouldBe and theEmbracingWho We Faculty Award. In 2008,Brené has wonWenumerousawards, includingCollege’s Outstandingshe was named Behavioral Health Scholar-in-Residence at the Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston.Are(Hazelden,I ThoughtIt OprahWas JustMe (butBrené’swork has been2010)featuredandon PBS,NPR, and theand FriendsRadioitNetwork, and her articleshave appeared in Self magazine, Elle magazine, and many national newspapers. She is also a frequentisn’t):Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, andguest on radio shows across the US and she has given two TEDx talks on her vulnerability research. Mostrecently,(Penguin/Gotham,Houston Women Magazine2007).named heroneisof also“The 50MostInfluential Women of 2009.”PowerShetheauthorof Connections, a psychoeducational shame resilienceSpeakersOffice,Inc. November22, 2011curriculum being facilitated across the nationby mental5927 BalfourCourt, Suite 103 * Carlsbad, CA 92008Phone: 760-603-8110 * Fax: 760-603-8010health and addiction professionals.info@SpeakersOffice.com * www.speakersoffice.com * www.brenebrown.comSave the date!50th Anniversary CommemorationTo celebrate the golden anniversary of our organization,we will be hosting an event at the Expo Centre inEdmonton on November 22, 2011. A farewell to RodAdachi, our retiring executive director and registrar, will bepart of the evening. December 6, 2011ACSW 50th Anniversary Celebration,farewell to Rod Adachi, andEdmonton holiday socialCalgary’s holiday social at theVillage Park Inn from 3:30 - 6:30 PM March 4 - 10, 2012Social Work Week March 22 - 24, 2012ACSW 2012 Conferencein Edmonton4The Advocate Fall 2011

Happy 20th Anniversary, Gladys!Gladys Smecko, ACSW’s tireless Coordinator of Finance and Administration, started work at the Alberta Association of Social Workers’ office onJuly 15, 1991—20 years ago! Let’s have a huge hand of applause from all the staff, Council, and members! Thank you, Gladys!in theGladys SmeckoArea Coordinator AppointmentsCalgary’s holiday social will be held Tuesday, December 6, atthe Village Park Inn from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.The following social workers were recently appointed in theirregions. If you are interested in becoming an area coordinatorplease contact Lori at the ACSW office.Edmonton will hold its holiday social Nov. 22 in conjunctionwith the 50th anniversary celebration and farewell to RodAdachi on November 22.ACSW Student BursaryThe Alberta College of Social Workers established a StudentBursary Fund in 2004 to assist social work students to continuetheir education through a college or university program.The bursary fund supports students who demonstrate theircommitment to the profession of social work through activeinvolvement in the community, their educational institution,and with ACSW.Each year five bursaries of 1000 each are awarded. Formore information visit the ACSW website. Go to Activities &Services and then click on Services and then Student Bursary. Thedeadline for applications is October 31, 2011. Edmonton: Lauren Van CampFort McMurray: Lauren Matsyk, Brenda Smith,Pauline LauChildren’s IssuesWorkplace Issues ProjectWe received a 15,000 grant from Alberta Employment andImmigration Ministry. It will be used to address concernswithin the Ministry of Children and Youth Services regardingthe high number of staff off on medical leave, low numbers ofstaff retained, and high levels of stress experienced by front lineprotection workers. We will conduct research to identify largersystem and individual issues which inhibit a healthy workplaceenvironment and complete a report with recommendationsfor the ministry. A Category A workshop will be developedfrom the research findings. Val Kinjerski, PhD, RSW, Spirit atWork Consultant for Kaizen Solutions, has been contracted tocomplete this research. nSocial workers in Edson at an ethnic potluck luncheon. Local participating agencies displayed materials in the Provincial Building foyer to showcase the variety of socialservices available. Edson Area Coordinator Altaf Ali (third from the left in the front row) helped coordinate the event.Volume 36 Issue 35newsHoliday socials

In Memoriam Cathy Vaessen, MEd, RSWin thenewsIt is with great sadness that I share with all of you the sudden passing of Cathy Vaessen. On the night ofFebruary 15, 2011, Cathy experienced an acute respiratory incident and was hospitalized. Her conditionprogressively worsened and she passed away the following night with her family by her side.Cathy worked in several offices in the region and was always open to new experiences. She was a warm,positive, helpful person and a skilled supervisor. Cathy will be greatly missed.My sincere condolences to all of you who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family duringthis very difficult time.Cathy Vaessen at the 2009ACSW Conference— submitted by Guadalupe Salguero, RSWGayle Stewart, MSW, RSWWe are also saddened by the passing of Gayle Stewart, MSW, RSW, who died on August 23,2011, at 65 years of age.Gayle practiced social work in Edmonton for many years. She worked for Edmonton PublicSchools for a significant part of her career. Gayle was active with the ACSW in the early daysas evidenced by her RSW number of 225. More recently she was an active member of theretired social workers interest groups.In 2000, Gayle received an Excellence in Social Work Award from ACSW.Our condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.Gayle Stewart receiving her award forExcellence in Social Work in 2000Call For ProposalsAlberta College of Social Workers Annual ConferenceMarch 22 - 24, 2012 (Shaw Conference Centre),Edmonton, AlbertaSocial Work: Celebrating the Person and theProfessionalProposals will be accepteduntil September 23, 2011.For full details, please visit this link on the ACSW website:acsw.ab.ca/pdfs/2012 call for proposals.pdf6Edit/View/Submit yourPDCFs onlineTired of storing your oldProfessional Development CreditForms (PDCFs)?Online PDCF submission is nowavailable on the ACSW website!Login with your username andpassword to edit/view/submit yourPDCFs.The Advocate Fall 2011

New RSWsMembership as ofAugust 3, 2011: 6,203Nicole Marie WebberChristina Ellen WilliamsCecil Ali BukhshAmanda Rae LegareTrina Nicole WhiddenJeremy Roy WilliamsColleen Marie AnnicchiaricoJanessa Kathleen LevoirAndrea Elaine WhittakerLeah Kathleen WillisMary Nambi AsakeErika Jane LonsethMelissa Lynn WilkesJennifer Jane WilsonBrenda BartosKenzie Michelle LouchSarah BeltranLinda LukindoJustine Kyla BiermannStevie Lee MakilaDeanna Michelle BrownJanice Paulette MartinAmanda-Jean CaouettePatrick Turner McFarlandEmilly Jennifer CharlesonSusan Corinne MelansonBetsabe Elizabeth ChevezRachel Allana MillettElisabeth Sandra CitroFintry MookenTiffany Paige ClarkEdwin Estuardo MoralesSarah Lynn ColeLeona Mae MoriartyCasandra Noel DancocksJohn Paul MunghamJulie Anne DangMichael Donald NeelandLesya DariychukElise Estelle OlsonNicole Marie DowlingSharon Deanna PearceyAlana Jade Eveleth EkrenCarrie Lynn ProctorGary Robert EmoMelanie Dawn RattaiInebie EzeanoTalla RejaeiBrittany Marie FauxPaul ReppMarguerite Isabelle FitzpatrickCecilia Jeannette Romero deElisha Jade Gammon-MurrayHernandezMaria Margret GeronazzoSandra Faye ScalplockAlison GrundleKendra Rochelle SeddonJennifer D GurkeLeanne Michelle ShannonAlysha Maria Dawn GurneySarah Allison Smith-GayLacey Lee Jean GutscheCarol Anne StringerTracey Lynn HeerschopBianca Stephanie TetraultJudy HeilikThomaskutty NMNSarah Mariko HoustonThekkumalayil AbrahamCathy Louetta June JensenMichelle Dawn TonksChristina Adeline JohnsonJanyce Holly TworekChristina Achan JosephSteven John Takashi UchikataRebecca Francis KindratAmber Kristin Brandy UstickRoman J KoltunSeemeen Arif WaljiAgnes LamHaiying WangValerie LamMeaghan WatersVolume 36 Issue 37featureJoyce Flora LapriseregularSheena Michelle Abar

PresidentregularfeatureBob Johnson, MSSW, RSWBob JohnsonPresident’s ReportI hope all of you had a good summer and were able to find occasionsto get away, recharge, spend time with family, and generally care foryourself.The Conference Committee and all the volunteers did an excellentjob with the ACSW Conference in Calgary this year. The workshops,conference events, and keynote speakers were great. Lori Sigurdsonand the staff of ACSW contributed a significant amount of hard workand dedication in organizing the conference. Coordinators of theRed Deer, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge conferences also broughtexcellent learning opportunities to social workers in their areas.In July, ACSW council along with key staff met to work on theThree-Year Strategic and Organizational Plan. Everyone strove todevelop a realistic, achievable plan for the organization. We focusedon the organization’s needs, updating and further implementationof the Social Policy Framework, ACSW’s national and internationalroles, social action and social justice, membership services, regulatorymatters, and advocacy. Discussion also included council’s responseand follow-up to the annual general meeting resolution pertaining tomember consultation on the CASW issue. We will meet to finalizethe planning process in September.As Rod Adachi has made the decision to retire from his current role,council began the process for recruiting a new ACSW executivedirector. An excellent executive director, Adachi has guided ACSWfrom association status to one of the largest regulatory colleges ofsocial work in Canada. He has been instrumental in many significantareas, including his role as part of the founding group of theCanadian Council of Social Work Regulators. Rod and his wealth ofknowledge will be hard to replace. I thoroughly enjoy working withhim and I wish him well in his retirement.November 2011 will see us celebrate the 50th Anniversary of theformation of the Alberta Association of Social Work. To be heldin Edmonton, this important social event will provide a chance to8From the cover of the December 1989 issue of the Advocate.Illustration by J. Mead.commemorate our history and the individuals whohad the foresight to bring social workers together inAlberta.Upcoming months will see council finalizeplanning processes, continue work with otherCanadian regulatory bodies/member associations,and promote the Social Policy Framework andsocial justice to leadership candidates during theupcoming provincial election. nBob Johnson is the president of ACSW. He can be reached at acsw@acsw.ab.ca.The Advocate Fall 2011

Executive Director &RegistrarRod Adachi, MSW, RSWRod Adachithere have been some advancements worthy of mention.Regulationto enhance ACSW’s social action and advocacy activities. TheACSW Social Policy Framework, launched in 2010, has beenwell received and continues to generate positive feedback as avehicle to positively influence social policy development.Implementing professional regulation has been the overridingtask during my time with ACSW. To date, ACSW has beengoverned by three separate legislative acts that served as stepsin the evolution from a primarily voluntary association to aprofessional regulatory college with registration mandatoryfor practice. This journey witnessed a name change fromAssociation to College, an increase in staff positions from2.5 to 12, the relocation and expansion of the office, and agrowth in membership from 1600 to more than 6000.Membership activitiesIt has been gratifying to see an increase in regional activitiesfor ACSW members. Much of this reflects the valuablecontributions of the growing number of area coordinatorsacross the province. The success of the ACSW provincialconference is worth noting. ACSW members should be proudthat this annual event is arguably the largest gathering of socialworkers in Canada.The transition to a regulatory college involved manychallenges, including the implementation of a grandparentingopportunity, and setting and maintaining standards formandatory registration. More recently, meeting labourmobility obligations required the development of the SocialWork Competency project conducted by the CanadianCouncil of Social Work Regulators and funded by HumanResources and Skills Development (HRSDC).GovernanceOver the years, ACSW council has devoted considerable timeand effort on governance oversight, strategic planning, fiscalmanagement, and national dynamics. Thanks to the dedicationand commitment of council members, ACSW remains ahealthy organization that is recognized and respected by itsprovincial counterparts.Some milestones include the American Association of StateSocial Work Boards changing its name to the Association ofSocial Work Boards (ASWB) after Alberta became the firstCanadian jurisdiction to join in 1999. All of the Canadianprovincial social work regulatory bodies have since joinedand after Calgary hosted the first Canadian ASWB meetingin 2004, other Canadian cities followed suit (Quebec City in2009 and Vancouver in 2011).I cannot express how much I have appreciated the work of theACSW office staff. They have continued to provide dedicatedservice over the years amidst a variety of workplace challengesincluding office renovations, millennium computer fears, andpostal strikes.It has been my pleasure to have engaged with so manymembers who have served on ACSW council or committees,or participated in any of ACSW’s activities over the years.Volunteers who devote their time and energy are the heart andsoul of ACSW and have made my tenure here a gratifying andfulfilling experience. I feel fortunate to leave with many fondmemories.AdvocacyAlberta’s boom/bust economic cycle and political leadershiphave not supported a progressive approach to social policy.This has required ACSW to interact with government officialsabout a diversity of social policy concerns over the yearsand develop strong relationships with partners in advocacy(Parkland Institute, Public Interest Alberta, Alberta Alliance onMental Illness and Mental Health, Greater Edmonton Alliance,Edmonton Social Planning Council, and Friends of Medicare)Volume 36 Issue 3Many thanks to you all. nRod Adachi is the Executive Director and Registrar for ACSW. He can be reached atacswexd@acsw.ab.ca.9featureAt the end of October I will be resigning as the Executive Director and Registrar of ACSW after 16 years. Looking back,regularFarewell

Ethics in actionregularfeatureAlison MacDonald, PhD, RSWAlison MacDonaldWorkplace bullying or troubledsupervision?I frequently hear social workers talk about managers or supervisors who are bullies. Yes, we do havesome bullies in the human services and yes, they do make other people’s lives miserable, but is it reallythat extensive? A closer examination makes it clear that in some cases, “bullies” are doing their best tosupervise, but lack appropriate skills. Other cases reveal supervisors dealing with individuals who are notvery receptive.Here are some examples:1. A supervisor directs a supervisee to completeoverdue reports. The supervisee argues that thetime would be better spent working directly withclients. The supervisor insists that the reportsjustify calling the action bullying. A supervisor has the rightto take action to correct a supervisee’s practice. Disciplinemay be required if attempts to work through a problem areunsuccessful. In this case, the supervisor may benefit fromtaking a course in supervision.be completed within the next 24 hours or thesupervisee will be suspended without pay.2. Aware that a supervisee’s reports are overdue, thesupervisor yells—telling her she is incompetentand ordering her to stay in her office until they arecomplete.3. A supervisor meets with a supervisee to talk aboutwhy reports are incomplete. The two parties workThe second scenario may be bullying. A supervisor who yellsand attacks character likely needs more than a course onsupervision, particularly if it occurs frequently. However, it isimportant to bear in mind that anyone can have a bad day onoccasion. We should not be too quick to label the behaviouras bullying.The third scenario describes the situation most likely to meetthe supervisor’s goals—a commitment to complete the reportsand an employee who feels heard.The first scenario suggests a combination of resistance andineffective supervision. Though the relationship between thetwo parties appears strained, the evidence presented does notThe Government of Alberta defines workplace bullying as: “arepeated pattern of behaviour intended to intimidate, offend,degrade or humiliate a particular person or group—the bully’starget. Although it can include physical abuse or the threatof abuse, bullying usually causes psychological rather thanphysical harm.”1Alison MacDonald is the Associate Registrar/Complaints Director forACSW. She can be reached at acswreg@acsw.ab.ca.1 (Government of Alberta, Alberta Learning Information Services,Bullies at Work: What to Know, What You Can Do.http://alis.alberta.ca/ep/eps/tips/tips.html?EK 11608)together to develop a plan to bring them up todate.10The Advocate Fall 2011

“It is important to remember that supervision is a skill and not everyonecan do it well. Some supervisors la

Brené Brown. Dr. Brené Brown is a professor and vulnerability researcher at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. Because vulnerability is at the center of many thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, her research topics cover a broad range of emotions and experiences, including shame, courage, and authenticity. Brené writes,