This is my last column as your President. I am so proud of the work our staff, board and member volunteers have accomplished together this year. There are some goals that are not as near completion as I had hoped due to shifts in priorities, changing resources or the inevitable shifts of needs. I’ve discovered that my AOSW agenda is much like the to-do list I try to leave every night to manage my patient load the next day. Inevitably, someone decides their goals have changed and now they need “y” when I had already worked on “x,” someone has a delightful opportunity that needs support and someone else had a catastrophe that did not wait for my business hours. These are the challenges that make oncology social work both frustrating and fun.
 

In those rare moments when I can complete a thought without interruption, I’ve pondered AOSW’s direction. We are blessed, in our 34th year as an organization, to have founding and long-term members with lengthy commitments to AOSW’s growth. We want those members to continue to feel welcomed as AOSW expands its membership and updates our strategic priorities. We have middle years members who have acquired an organizational understanding and are often our most visible volunteers. And we have newer members who bring such enthusiasm for our mission and a desire to contribute. Balancing the needs of these groups is always top-of-mind for our Board of Directors. How do we make the Annual Conference relevant along career growth? How do we help members find a mentor, or a place where they can be a mentor? What is the right balance of communications formats to retain warmth and reach emerging audiences? Finding a table big enough to seat 1,300+ oncology social workers is a challenge even greater than the holiday shuffle at grandmother’s house. With a bit of humor, a willingness to share the piano bench when the chairs are all in use, and an acknowledgement that everybody is here because we are important to each other, we make it work well—most days. On the days when elbows ended up in the neighbor’s side or the gravy spilled, you have been gracious to forgive my leadership learning curve and regroup with me.

One of the quotes that stuck with me from our Annual Conference is Dr. Julia Rowland’s message in her keynote address “Care Planning is a Process, Not an Event.” Dr. Rowland was speaking to the transitions of care for our patients. I find that her words are also applicable to the growth of AOSW as an organization. It is helpful for me to think about AOSW’s leadership succession as a process rather than a single point of time or activity. We recently welcomed our incoming Board members and started their orientation:

President-Elect Eucharia Borden	Research Director Sophia Smith
Membership Director Kerry Irish	Director-at-Large Meredith Cammarata

There is always a need, however, for volunteers at every level of the organization. The daily tending to our mission of education, advocacy and research requires an army of volunteers with different levels of time commitment. There are many ways your skills and connections can serve AOSW—and you will grow in the process. I want to encourage you to think about AOSW as you plan your 2018 goals. Where can you join us in this process?

I know that committing to board service requires thoughtful deliberation. We want to be sure we are able to give AOSW the time that leadership requires. It will be my job as Past-President to lead the Nominations Committee in presenting our fall 2018 Board slate for election. I am highly motivated to follow Dr. Rowland’s counsel and begin that process now. If you have any inkling that 2019 or 2020 might be the right time for you to serve on the AOSW Board of Directors, please contact me. Our board wants to connect you with a volunteer path that will build your leadership skills and familiarity with our organization.

One of the strengths of AOSW’s organizational structure is that we work together for the continuity of our mission. I was blessed to have the mentorship of Past-President Penny Damaskos and President Alison Sachs as I started my term as President-Elect. There is a long line of Past-Presidents who have made themselves available for informal counsel. Alison supported me and allowed me to grow while continuing her commitment as our 2017 Past-President. Tara Schapmire, as our 2017 President-Elect, brought her connections and strengths in research and academic oncology social work. I am eager to see what direction Tara will take us in 2018 and hope you will join me in recognizing and appreciating the commitment she is making.

Past-President of AOSW is still a working role. I will be here. I cannot imagine a better career than oncology social work, and I cannot imagine doing this work without you. AOSW is *our* organization. Come, pull up a chair and join us at this table.

Take care,
Catherine