NASW Associate Counsel Sherri Morgan, left, and NASW General Counsel Carolyn Polowy serve a cake in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the NASW Legal Defense Fund. The reception took place in April during the NASW Annual Leadership Meeting in Washington, D.C.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the NASW Legal Defense Fund has introduced new content to its web page, and enhanced its fundraising and marketing capabilities to improve services for NASW members.
The web page now offers a special 40th anniversary section, where members can view an LDF video project that includes interviews with social work leaders discussing what LDF means to social workers.
The section also includes a series of LDF history articles, highlighting significant NASW involvement in shaping law and public policy over the years.
Other special features include information about the Social Work Ethics and Law Institute (SWELI), which LDF created to help social workers understand and gain knowledge of the legal and ethical issues that affect the profession; Legal Issue of the Month articles; and information about obtaining financial assistance with legal issues.
Members are also able to access information on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, including informative highlights, samples of privacy forms and HIPPA security standards.
“The LDF board of trustees strongly supports the recognition of its 40th anniversary,” said NASW Associate Counsel Sherri Morgan. “Social workers will more readily be able to access LDF’s resources, such as the Lunchtime Series webinars, Law Notes Series publications, Legal Issue of the Month archives and online trainings to keep social workers informed on legal issues.”
Donors who contribute more than $5 in honor of the LDF 40th anniversary will be recognized online for their support. They will also receive an informational bookmark that provides tips on how to handle subpoenas — a topic about which information is frequently requested, Morgan said. Donations of more than $100 will be noted in the NASW News.
“We have a goal of reaching $100,000 for 2012, in honor of the 40th anniversary,” she said.
The LDF board of trustees will prepare to renew its trust agreement at a ceremonial signing in the fall, to continue to support social workers.
LDF, which is based on member donations, works to provide financial legal assistance to NASW members and support for legal cases. LDF is a trusted resource for members who call with legal questions. LDF also supports educational projects and programs to improve the legal status and knowledge of the social work profession.
Read more about the Legal Defense Fund.