Being a Member of NASW is Like Career Insurance, Chapter President Says

Boardroom

By Paul R. Pace

“I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a career in the helping profession,” says Amy Di Mauro, LCSW, president of the NASW Connecticut Chapter. “I knew that anyone had the power to help others. Social work is the field that most closely aligned with my personal values and beliefs around advocating and supporting those most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Di Mauro accepted a nomination for chapter president-elect after hearing from the former chapter’s executive director, Steve Karp, that he would be retiring.

“I knew it would be important to provide leadership to ensure a successful transition of leadership, especially given Steve Karp’s legacy of 30-plus years as a leader at NASW,” said Di Mauro, senior vice president of adult behavioral health services at Community Health Resources.

Di Mauro’s involvement with NASW is vast. After her first term as president of the chapter, she served on the NASW national board as a Region II representative for Connecticut and New York City. Di Mauro also is a member of the NASW Foundation board.

When asked why she believes it is essential that social workers volunteer with their time with their professional association, she said she likes to quote Karp: “NASW membership is basically your career insurance.”

“NASW is not just advocating for all people through introducing bills and supporting legislators and their work; community organizing; providing continuing education, etc. We also are advocating for “social work guild issues and ensuring that our profession is the most highly valued and respected profession in the field of human services.”