How
Endorsements are Made
The goal of any
endorsement is to elect candidates who support NASW policy positions
and increase visibility for NASW in the process. NASW also gains
candidates’ recognition, improves connections with elected officials,
advances NASW’s policy agenda, and builds respect for NASW as a
powerful and committed activist organization.
NASW’s policy
positions are based on issues found in NASW’s policy statements
as outlined in Social Work Speaks. NASW members vote every
three years vote on those policy statements at Delegate Assembly.
Authority
Chapter PACE
committees have the authority to endorse or make financial contributions
to candidates for only state and local office. National PACE oversees
federal races because of the national strategy that takes into
consideration goals of the entire association.
Process
- Staff
consults with the respective chapter and compiles information
about the candidate’s viability and support for key issues
of concern to the social work community.
- PACE
interviews challenger candidates on the phone or in person.
- If
the candidate has been elected before, PACE researches the
candidate’s voting record.
- The
national PACE Board of Trustees endorses candidates for federal
office after reviewing staff research and recommendations.
- Once
the endorsement decision is complete, PACE communicates to
members through the NASW NEWS and communicates to candidates
in writing, and in person when possible.
Endorsement Criteria
Endorsements
of political candidates are done on the basis of several criteria,
not by political party affiliation. Agreement with every NASW
position is not required. Criteria may include
- issues
that the candidate supports or opposes
- viability
of the campaign, such as money raised and name recognition
- whether
the current officeholder is seeking re-election
- specific
assistance in achieving NASW’s legislative goals
- building
an electoral presence for future campaigns
- leadership
position of the incumbent, such as committee assignments
- affirmative
action considerations for candidates from underrepresented
groups.
Levels of Endorsement
PACE gives one
of the following levels of support to each candidate:
- letter
of endorsement
- financial
contribution
- members
to volunteer on campaign phone banks and distribute literature
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