NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS, INC. www.nabswstudentaffairs.blogspot.

com

Office of Student Affairs

Dear NABSW Students Chapter Secretaries: I bring you greetings and fraternal felicitations on your various achievements. Zakia Pugh is my name and I have the honor and privilege to serve you in the 2011-2012 academic as your secretary for the Office of Student Affairs. The Office of Student Affairs is the student mouthpiece of the National Association of Black Social Workers Inc. Together with the other five officers, we serve are your voice in NABSW. I humbly accept this mantle with great exuberance. It affords me great opportunity to serve on a national level! Let us celebrate our past and embrace the challenges of the future as members of the Black family. Nearly four years ago, America (WE) made history by electing the first Black to the highest position in this country and since his authority and leadership has been challenged. We must continue to support him; as our President continues to seek the welfare of all Americans irrespective of race, class, gender or creed, balance the country budget and addressed the unprecedented education cuts that affect all communities, especially OUR communities. I entreat all students to be more engaged on a national level because there is a lot you can do as an individual and as a chapter. Participating on a national committee with me or any of my fellow officers is an excellent approach. As your secretary, I chair the website and newsletter committees. I am currently looking to recruit members to join both committees. These are essential to members of NABSW because this is our means of communication. Involvement in the committees would entail working with others to create a quarterly newsletter, as well as frequently updating the BlogSpot and Facebook webpage with important information. I feel that this organization creates a safe environment for people of African descent to discuss their own issues and identify ideas in which to use the NABSW code of ethics to create a better world for Black people as a whole. With that in mind, a discussion of all secretaries should be produced so creative ideas can be shared. I hope to speak with all the chapter secretaries quarterly on November 5, 2011, January 7, 2012, March 31, 2011, and June 9, 2011. Each call will begin at 5PM EST. All those who are interested may email me at osa.secreatry1@gmail.com for more information. If you have questions, ideas, comments or concerns this a great time to share them. I look forward to speaking with all of you! Thanks once again for such a unique opportunity to serve as Secretary in the Office of Student Affairs. I look forward to seeing you all at the 44th Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga. I wish you a fulfilling academic year. At your Service, Zakia Pugh, MSW/MSLP candidate OSA Secretary