One of the quotes from this year’s conference that stuck with me is from 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 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.

Our incoming board members will be officially welcomed and oriented at the October Board meeting.

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

Committing to Board of Directors service requires thoughtful deliberation. We want to be sure we are able to give AOSW the time that level of leadership requires. It will be my job as 2018 Past President to lead the Nominations Committee in presenting our fall 2018 Board of Directors 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.

Leadership within AOSW is not limited to board service. There is always a need 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 enrich your professional network. I want to encourage you to think about AOSW as you plan your 2018 goals. Where can you join us in this process?

As you look back at the ways that AOSW supports your professional growth and strengthens the care you provide to patients, I ask you to consider a monetary gift to AOSW. Membership dues do not completely cover the cost of the benefits AOSW provides to our members. Our board has had many conversations about what to charge for member benefits at different levels (student, associate, full member). We are cognizant of the salary scales of social workers and want to remain at a financially accessible rate. That means we must diversify our income sources, including individual gifts. Social workers tend to not advocate for our own needs. Even asking on behalf of our organization requires a shift in thinking. However, I know that AOSW has been instrumental in expanding the skills I bring to patient and family care. The AOSW network has provided me with many professional and personal experiences. Additional giving ensures that AOSW continues to provide our current member benefits for me and other oncology social workers.

As I write this column, the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana is immersed in the long recovery following Hurricane Harvey. Florida has had a devastating blow from Hurricane Irma. Puerto Rico is in a state of desolation. Some of our members are facing fires and other natural disasters. Life is sometimes unpredictable and scary. Those of us who are helpers in our oncology social work roles sometimes need help ourselves, or need help caring for our patients when we are incapacitated. I am so proud of the work our AOSW volunteers have invested by gathering and disseminating information that may aid in disaster recovery. I appreciate the leadership of our administrative members who are thinking about their impacted employees as well as the corporate efforts to care for patients. Our State Representatives, as well as members local to the impacted areas, are thoughtfully checking in to see what AOSW can do to help. Oncology social workers are resourceful and connected. Our network helps each of us to sustain that resilience until our individual bandwidth can be replenished.

When I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of need, I remember the quote of Rev. Fred Rogers, better known as “Mr. Rogers” from the children’s show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood" — “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” One of the fine points I’ve come to appreciate in that quote is the plurality. It is not “helper,” me on my own. It is “helperS." AOSW is an organization of over 1,300 oncology social workers. We pool our knowledge, our reflective practice wisdom, our research advances in psychosocial care and our advocacy for equitable oncology care for all people. We take care of our patients. We also take care of each other. I am grateful that each of you finds your ways to contribute your service, skills and gifts as helpers. I invite you to join me in the “care planning” for AOSW’s continued strength.

Take care,
Catherine