iDeals to Celebrate Social Work Week

This list of suggestions was inspired by activities hosted by agencies/organizations in the past. You are welcome to use or adapt these ideas. 

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.
If you would like to add to these ideas, please email info@oasw.org.

OASW also provides promotional materials at cost, visit SHOP OASW.
Quicklinks

Social Work Week Resources:

Social Work Quiz - Public
(Adobe PDF File)

(Answer Key: 1B, 2A, 3A, 4E, 5E, 6E.) 

Social Work Quiz 2018
(Adobe PDF File)
(Answer Key: true for all questions, except #8 is false.)