Commission and Council Volunteers

Overview     

CSWE's governance includes commissions and councils that are volunteer bodies working to advance CSWE’s mission of promoting quality and innovation in social work education. To learn more about CSWE’s governance visit the Governance section of the website. 
 

Perks of Serving on a CSWE Commission or Council  

• Enhance your own professional development

• Develop your leadership skills

• Join a community of individuals passionate about social work education

• Contribute to the social work education at the national level

• Learn about new, innovative, and promising social work education projects and initiatives

• Receive annual letter of recognition for service

 

Primary Functions  

CSWE Commissions and Councils include five commissions and twelve councils serving under those commissions. Each commission and council serve a unique role in advancing social work education under the charge of each group. Descriptions of each commission and council and more information about their charges and recent activities are at the links below.

• Commission for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice 

  • Council on Disability and Persons with Disabilities 

  • Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity 

  • Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education 

  • Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression 

• Commission on Educational Policy 

  • Council on Field Education 

  • Council on Practice Methods and Specializations 

• Commission on Global Social Work Education 

  • Council on Global Social Issues 

  • Council on Global Learning and Practice  

  • Council on Environmental Justice and Human Rights

• Commission on Membership and Professional Development  

  • Council on Conferences and Faculty Development  

  • Council on Leadership Development  

  • Council on Publications  

• Commission on Research  

 

Eligibility

Commission and Council members must: 

• be a full- or part-time social work faculty member at a CSWE-accredited or candidate social work program; 
• possess an interest in advancing social work education at the national education association; 
• actively engage in commission or council activities and initiatives; 
• attend meetings: 
• commissioner members will attend two in-person meetings annually (CSWE Spring Governance and CSWE’s Annual Program Meeting) and virtual meetings scheduled by the commission chair; 
• council members will attend an in-person meeting at CSWE’s Annual Program Meeting and virtual meetings scheduled by the commission chair; 
• be an active CSWE member (included for faculty and administrators of CSWE member programs). 

 

Application 

Applicants who are eligible and interested must complete the application through the online application portal. Applications are open each spring. Within the application portal, applicants will respond to a brief set of questions (including a statement of interest), and upload a CV. 
 

Appointments 

CSWE staff liaisons and commission/council chairs will evaluate applications based on applicant qualifications. The chair of CSWE’s Board of Directors appoints all commission and council members and ensures a diverse and well-rounded group of volunteers considering CSWE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Statement. 

Applicants will be notified of a decision by mid-June. Commission and council members are appointed to terms of 3-year terms of service, with the option to renew their appointment at the expiration of the term.  
 

Interested?

For more information about serving on a council or commission, please contact [email protected].