REGION I – San Gabriel Valley, East LA, and South Bay – Long Beach

REGION I REPORT

By Shammeer Sorrell

As Assistant Regional Director for Region I, I am teamed with a hard-working Regional Director Paul McDonough, who plans events for new and seasoned professionals. On August 7, he collaborated with lecturer, Sharon Wetterau, at California State University Dominguez Hills’ MSW New Student Orientation to present the benefits and reasons why the students should join NASW.

I was given the opportunity to present to 70 incoming MSW students. The moment I stood in front of the students with the microphone I saw myself. I was in their shoes with the same eagerness and nervousness towards the MSW program. I was happy to share why they should join NASW and how it would help them as a student and professional.

Afterwards, I felt ecstatic and I stayed for a couple of hours to answer questions and enroll new members with Wetterau. Amazingly, nine students signed up to become new members and I learned so much about the CSUDH Social Work Department and their students. It was a privilege to revisit my alma mater and represent NASW-CA.

Long Beach Unit Report

By Dr. Brian Lam

On behalf of the members of the Long Beach unit, we would like to wish everyone an enjoyable and productive fall semester 2013.

During fall 2012 to spring 2013, the Long Beach unit provided professional enhancement and networking to its members by holding meetings with regular segments on continuing education. The unit had a series of wellreceived presentations on “Correctional Re-entry Program,” “Community-Based Mental Health and Support Services,” and “Child Custody Mediation.”

The Long Beach unit welcomes all social workers in the region, as well as recent graduates to participate in its activities. Please contact Dr. Brian Lam, unit chair, at brian.lam@csulb.edu or (562) 985-4625. Please join us for our fall welcome meeting as we are launching a program on medical social work in late September 2013. Please contact Dr. Brian Lam for further information.