Member Articles Featured in Monthly Newsletters

October 2023

December 2022

As the end of 2022 draws near I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, board of directors and National Association of Social Workers Louisiana Chapter’s members for an amazing year.  The success of the Louisiana Chapter is based on the hard work and dedication of each of you, and we wouldn’t be where we are without you.

This year has been filled with a multitude of both challenges and victories. Every year is different but this one has been filled with more change than normal.  Perhaps the biggest change we’ve faced this year is the retirement of our executive director, Ayn Stehr in November. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with Ayn, she has been an amazing  executive director.  She worked tirelessly  to move our chapter forward.  She  has written an amazing chapter with the National Association of Social Workers Louisiana Chapter.   We  appreciate all that she has done, and the many ways she nurtured and moved our chapter forward.  Ayn is a force!  We are grateful for the years of service and commitment she provided for the chapter.   

Along with the news of Ayn’s retirement came the announcement of our shared arrangement of an executive director with another chapter.  Louisiana has always had their own executive director but this arrangement was best for the chapter for sustainable long-term growth by leveraging combined resources to support Louisiana social workers. This model has worked successfully in several other states.  Our chapter will benefit from the expertise of a proven chapter executive director who could immediately make an impact.

Change is important for our organization because, without change, we will fail to meet the ever-changing needs of our members and the populations we serve.   Although change can be challenging, it  can be a major opportunity for growth and  advancement, so long as we approach it correctly. 

We were excited when the announcement was made that Will Francis would take over as our new executive director.  Will currently serves as the Executive Director of our neighboring chapter, National Association of Social Workers Texas Chapter.   He has made a commitment to National Association Social Worker Louisiana Chapter that he will  support the autonomy of our chapter and the uniqueness of the profession in Louisiana. Will hit the ground running immediately, he’s been meeting with board members and working with the Annual Conference Committee on the 2023 NASW-LA Annual Conference.  Will has also met with and began working with the Louisiana Social Work Board of Examiners.

We are so excited about what 2023 has in store for us – enthusiasm and anticipation are building around new opportunities in all our regions.   We look forward to working together with each of you in the new year.  Best wishes and happiness to you and your families over the festive season.

Stay tuned for more details in the new year!