iDeals to Celebrate Social Work Week

Set up a table or poster board

• Use the SWW theme/poster
• Provide information about the profession
• Describe the roles that social workers perform within your agency/organization
• Display photos of social workers and a brief description of what they do
• In small agencies or private practices, set up your display in a communal space or waiting room

Host a "Lunch and Learn" seminar for other professionals/staff 

• Choose a topic that highlights the profession's relevance  
• Topics might include: negotiating the role of caregiver with adult siblings; identifying when you should encourage a family member/close friend to consider counselling; etc.  

Use the organization's broadcast screens to announce Social Work Week

• This can include a message from the director/CEO recognizing social workers

Simple ideas to cover costs of display/posters/recognition gifts 

• Reach out to potential sponsors & community partners to fund small gift bags or reception
• Host a bake sale to raise funds for professional development
• Contribute $2 to $5 each for a small fund*

Information Displays & Distribution 

• Adapt OASW’s simple quiz for non-social workers and offer a door prize. 
• Develop display boards about social work programs/services for various community sites
• Develop an article for publication in the newsletter within your agency/hospital/organization which highlights the role and contribution of social work as an allied profession within the overall health system

Educational Events

• Host a “Lunch and Learn” seminar or a brown bag speaker for the profession on a timely topic
• View and discuss a workshop/presentation on OASW’s website (e.g., Professor Robert Solomon speaking on legal issues).

Promotion of Social Work with Other Professionals and Community

• Invite a key leader of your organization/agency to lunch to celebrate and talk about the role of social workers.
• Organize an information session on social work services or programs to other professionals or the public
• Offer a public information night (offer door prizes). Talk about the role of social work in the community.
• Submit an article to the local newspaper on a timely topic that underlines services provided by the profession.

Networking Events

• Organize a Social Work Appreciation Breakfast or a Social Work Staff Celebration Lunch (for smaller agencies/organizations, join with other agencies in your area)
• Plan a networking luncheon and invite colleagues from other agencies. 

Recognition of Social Workers

• Approach community partners to donate lunches and raffle gift baskets for social workers
• Host Social Work Recognition Awards
• Request that municipality declare Social Work Week and announce it by email and bulletin

Other Ideas

• Approach a local business to donate an item that can be raffled during Social Work Week with proceeds to be donated to a charitable organization that is addressing issues of concern to the profession, etc.