Tell us about your volunteer path within AOSW. What was your first role, and how did you move into your current position?

I began volunteering for AOSW as a Facebook volunteer. It was a perfect way to dip my toes into the volunteer pond—and it gave me access to Facebook at work, where it is blocked for everyone else! After that I was “promoted” to the lead Facebook volunteer. Soon after, I was asked to oversee all of the AOSW social media platforms, which includes Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Coordinating the volunteers is a rewarding job, as I share in their successes when a post gets a really good response or is shared by others. It’s also great to be a part of the larger Communications Committee, previously led by Patrice Al-Shatti and now under Andrea Karoff. I get a sneak peek into what is happening with SWON and the newsletters and have seen them evolve over time. I also enjoy writing, so I have also volunteered to write a few pieces.

In addition to my role in communications, I also Co-chair the New Jersey State representatives group with Ellen Levine. I enjoy connecting oncology social workers with one another and bringing the camaraderie from the Annual Conference to the local area. I was once a “lone ranger”—the only social worker in my setting—and remember how important it is to connect with other OSWs.

You are the recipient of the 2016 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Hematology-Oncology Social Worker of the Year Award. As Lauren Berger of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) presented you with the award at the Annual Conference, I was amazed by your ability to balance volunteering for local oncology programs and volunteering for AOSW. How do you manage to schedule all of those activities?

My employer, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, is very supportive of my volunteer roles both within and outside of AOSW. I have been a facilitator of a Multiple Myeloma Family Support Group for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for 10 years. I have to credit my multiple employers during that time for allowing me to facilitate the group during normal work hours. This makes the most sense, as so many people with multiple myeloma in the daytime group are older and do not drive at night. Other things I do for LLS are just fun. I truly enjoy going to the Light the Night walks and seeing former patients and families as I work the Advocacy Table or the Why We Walk Tent.  

Your role as AOSW’s Social Networking Manager involves managing your team’s volunteers. Tell us a little bit about your existing team.

I have a wonderful volunteer team—Andrea Strouth, Kristin Scheeler and Jennifer Dimick have been faithful Facebook volunteers for years. I am thrilled to report that this year we’ve recruited an international Facebook volunteer, Ann Kambara, from Senegal! On Twitter, we have put together a new team of volunteers with Robin Forbes, Maggie Tinsley, Brittany Moore and Linda Maerov. Volunteers rotate weeks of being in charge of posting or tweeting items of interest not only to oncology social workers within AOSW but also to potential members and others who show an interest in what we do by following us on Facebook and/or Twitter. Over on LinkedIn, we have Becky Cammy and Elena Saldamando taking care of content for that platform. All of the volunteers are mindful of the AOSW mission, vision and goals while posting content on AOSW’s behalf.

What are some goals you have for AOSW’s social networking that depend on having more volunteers?

I want to make sure we are using the right platforms to reach everyone who has an interest in oncology social work—e.g., patients, caregivers, OSWs, other SWs, physicians and allied health professionals. I am interested in hearing how they get their information to see if AOSW should be branching out further. Do you have an idea? If so, send it to me at mclaughlin-lisa@cooperhealth.edu.