Increase Your Networking, Knowledge and Connections 

By Chelsea M. Kroll, LMSW, OSW-C, FAOSW 

GOOOOOAAALL!!  

OK, so we aren’t at a soccer game (football for our friends around the world), but a new year often finds us creating professional and personal goals. 

If increasing your networking, knowledge and connecting with other oncology social workers is one of those goals, joining an AOSW Special Interest Group (SIG) or attending a meeting are great ways to get started. Each of our 16 SIGS (Special Interest Groups – AOSW) are led by volunteer members committed to the growth and development of the groups while also serving as a resource. In 2023, three new SIGs – Hispanic/Latine Patients, Management/Leadership and Virtual Health – joined our already robust offerings, and we welcomed new leadership to others while recognizing the contributions of our outgoing leaders.  

While you do not have to be a member of a SIG to attend the meetings, the benefits of membership allow you access to the communities. In each specific SIG community, you will find articles/documents posted by leaders as well as see any discussions. To join a SIG, please follow the directions here (How-to-Join-a-Special-Interest-Group-SIG.pdf [aosw.org]). SIG leaders hold their meetings at various times, so please watch out for the invite on SWON. And please note, at this year’s annual conference, several SIG leaders will hold meetings, and we hope you are able to join us.

Our special interest groups are an integral part of our organization, and our leaders are vested in their continued development. At our virtual conference this year, some of our leaders will be presenting while others you may meet in various capacities as we connect and engage virtually. We look forward to participating with you in this new year and welcome the opportunities to advance our work.