Lobby Days Get On The Bus.wmv

Summary

The video "Lobby Days Get On The Bus.wmv" by the NASW-CA Chapter highlights the importance of social workers engaging in social and political actions to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities for all. Social workers are encouraged to be politically aware and to advocate for policy changes that improve social conditions and promote justice. The video draws parallels between Lobby Days and historical activist movements, emphasizing the power of collective action. Social workers, from diverse roles and backgrounds, are motivated to voice their opinions and share their experiences with legislators, aiming to create impactful change. The experience of participating in Lobby Days is described as empowering and eye-opening, particularly for those coming from underserved communities, and encourages involvement from social work students and professionals alike.

Highlights

• Social workers need to engage in political action to ensure everyone has access to essential services. 🌍
• The political arena impacts social work practice significantly. 🏛️
• Participation in Lobby Days is empowering, reminiscent of the Black Panther Party's activism. ✊
• Social workers from various fields come together to advocate for change. 💼
• Lobby Days help bridge the gap between underserved communities and decision-makers. 🌉

Key Takeaways

• Social workers play a crucial role in advocating for policy changes to improve social justice. 💪
• Lobby Days empower social workers to influence decision-makers directly. 📢
• The experience is likened to historical activism, fueling motivation and unity among participants. ✊
• Engaging policymakers helps ensure that the needs of the underserved are represented and addressed. 🏛️
• Social work students are encouraged to participate for impactful learning experiences. 🎓

Overview

In 'Lobby Days Get On The Bus.wmv,' social workers are depicted as not just caregivers but as active political participants striving to create change for communities in need. This video highlights the necessity for social workers to be aware of how policies affect their practice and their clients' lives. By participating in Lobby Days, they can directly impact the legislative process and promote social justice for all.

The video passionately draws parallels between Lobby Days and historic acts of activism, like those of the Black Panther Party, to emphasize the empowering nature of participating in such events. It shows how social workers can metaphorically 'bear mental and spiritual arms' to fight for what's right and foster change by voicing their concerns at the Capitol.

Moreover, the experience of attending Lobby Days is depicted as transformative, particularly for students and social workers from underserved backgrounds. It instills a sense of empowerment and motivation to continue advocating for those without a voice. The initiative encourages ongoing involvement, potentially inspiring social work students to view macro-level policy work as an integral part of their careers.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:30: Introduction to Social Workers and Political Action This chapter explores the role of social workers in advocating for social and political change. It emphasizes the responsibility of social workers to engage in actions that promote equal access to resources, employment, services, and opportunities necessary for meeting basic human needs and achieving personal development. The chapter calls for social workers to be vigilant and proactive in addressing disparities and driving progress in society.
• 01:30 - 03:00: The Role of Social Workers in Policy and Legislation The chapter discusses the critical influence of the political arena on social work practice. It highlights how social workers can advocate for changes in policies and legislation to enhance social conditions, meet basic human needs, and promote social justice. The chapter emphasizes the role of social workers in advocating for social justice to improve societal conditions and support individuals effectively.
• 03:00 - 05:00: Diverse Roles of Social Workers The chapter 'Diverse Roles of Social Workers' emphasizes the political nature of social work, highlighting the importance of advocating for disenfranchised individuals who lack a voice. It underscores that every social issue is inherently political and stresses the need to ensure that policies benefit these marginalized groups.
• 05:00 - 07:30: Perspectives on Lobby Days This chapter emphasizes the importance of social workers engaging at the policy level to effectively drive change. It highlights the need for social workers to build relationships with policymakers and make their presence known, as their role and contributions are often overlooked. Social workers operate in a variety of settings, including hospitals and elderly care, and it is crucial for their voices to be heard by those in power.
• 07:30 - 10:00: The Importance of Lobby Days This chapter details the critical role of lobby days in the profession of social work. It highlights various areas where social workers are active, including working with children, families, and individuals, both in group settings and at universities. The chapter features different types of social workers, such as those focusing on juvenile and criminal justice issues, family therapy, and those directing professional associations of social workers.
• 10:00 - 13:30: Experiences and Reflections from Lobby Days The chapter titled 'Experiences and Reflections from Lobby Days' discusses the perspective of a social worker who collaborates with the Department of Mental Health. The social worker's role involves designing mental health responses to terrorist events, highlighting the significant impact and importance of social work in society. The chapter also mentions an annual event called 'Lobby Days,' which occurred during both years the social worker was involved, underscoring its significance in their professional experience.
• 13:30 - 15:30: The Impact and Future of Lobby Days The comparison is made between Lobby Day and the Black Panther Party's demonstration at the capital, emphasizing empowerment and resistance against abuse and neglect. Lobby Day symbolizes a stand for balance and justice, mirroring the actions of influential social movements.

Lobby Days Get On The Bus.wmv Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 social workers should engage in social and political actions that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources employment services and opportunities that requires to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully social workers should aware of the
• 00:30 - 01:00 impact of the political Arena on practice andate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and provote social justice and promote social justice and promote social justice and if you're social workers there's no way you can be a
• 01:00 - 01:30 political those who are disenfranchised those who don't have a voice those are the people that we need to make sure policies are are working out for their benefit every single social issue that social workers are concerned about is are political [Music] issues
• 01:30 - 02:00 in order to impact change you need to go to a policy level and I think that we as social workers really need to build relationships with policy makers and show our facei I think a lot of times people don't know what we do as social workers they don't see us and I think that we work with the community and we we need our voices to be [Music] heard social workers are in hospitals they're working with elderly they're
• 02:00 - 02:30 working with children they're working with families they're working with individuals they're working families they're working with groups um we're on universities we're everywhere I'm a social worker who is going to be working on Juvenile and criminal justice issues I am a social worker who does family therapy I'm a social worker who directs a professional association of social [Music] workers
• 02:30 - 03:00 I'm a social worker who works with the Department of Mental Health to design the the mental health response to terrorist events uh social workers do some of the most important work in in our society what is your experience Lobby days did they do it the year you were there yeah we had both years that I was there uh we had Lobby days um wonderful
• 03:00 - 03:30 it it kind of reminded me of um of the Black Panther Party you know when they hit the capital and they've all got their guns and you know they're coming in and they're kind of like you know this is how it's going to be and you know you're feeling good like yeah you know like man somebody standing up like no we're not gonna be abused no more no we not going for it no more and somebody just kind of stepped up and you're like that's kind of what Lobby day is you know the reason the budget is being balanced the underserved and the
• 03:30 - 04:00 underrepresented right now is because there's nobody there to represent them and so if there's going to be nobody there to complain when they cut off their programs why not cut the money there and I think it's a strong message to say no I'm sorry these people are represented these people do have a voice and you're just going to have to go somewhere else for these cats the way the politics play out affect your your your people you work with your communities and they affect you too so I mean I think we we're in a privileged position where we can take the take the the the opportunity to go to things like
• 04:00 - 04:30 legislative Lobby day it's like somebody stepping up in there and you know uh we don't have the physical guns but we got the mental and the spiritual guns you know we kind of stepping in there you know and and we're saying you know what stuff's not right this is not how it should be and this is what we're going for this is how we're saying it should be and you're kind of stepping in you're taking over and saying you know we're going to we're going to pretty much stick to this agenda and we're going to put this in your face until you turn things [Music] around
• 04:30 - 05:00 [Music] this almost a force again so I love it you know I love it I mean you so it takes me to when the Black Panthers did it and it's like we're continuing to do it and uh and and that's love that's love and that's that's when we're that's when we're at our best
• 05:00 - 05:30 [Music] people who um are in an impoverished neighborhood and can't articulate themselves or can't access the people in power what can they do we need to be the bridge between the people we serve and the people people that are making
• 05:30 - 06:00 decisions that are impacting those people we serve everything from funding levels to um to uh political support in a more General way um depends upon social workers telling the stories of how they are on the front lines uh helping people and saving lives it's really that simple so the importance of us social workers being a United Force to
• 06:00 - 06:30 um Lobby the politicians is um is because we represent the UN underserved even if you're the most clinical social worker you better understand what policies are facing the individual you're talking to in your road why am I on this bus yeah cuz I want to get to Sacramento what are you going to do in Sacramento um in Sacramento I'm hoping to be able to create some dialogue with
• 06:30 - 07:00 um [Music] legislators we need to let them know that we're here we know what we're talking about we're in the community and we're going to voice our opinions and we're going to I think even I think opinion is even the wrong word I think we're going to go in there and let them know that we have the research to back up the knowledge that we're bringing to the table is there something that you would like to see come from that uh experience of educating of bringing the people to
• 07:00 - 07:30 the legisl anything you'd like that you think would be like the greatest thing that could come at that even if it's just a thought in the legislator's head that wasn't there before I got there simple as that I want to enhance um my knowledge of the way um legislators work about how bills get passed how I could better um become aware of the social issues that are going to affect me when I become a
• 07:30 - 08:00 professional and how to better help my clients how do you feel how do you feel right now about the experience and coming up here I do it again in a heartbeat yes very good experience I didn't know what to expect but after getting here and after walking through the halls of the capital it was really uh it's just enlightening to know that I can be a part of something like this cuz I just never dreamed coming from an impoverished neighborhood like I did that I would have this opportunity to actually come to the state capital and talk about issues that are going to help people in the City you know before I
• 08:00 - 08:30 came I just thought I was here to learn I didn't really want to participate you know I was pretty skeptical but you know after today the rally all these people together being able to speak to people you know with the suits on and things and the and the letters after their names it's making me want to come back is definitely increase my motivation I think each student should definitely do this at least once because I I didn't know what it was going to be like but it was a really good experience I'm very glad that I did it it's like you think of policy te you know macro is like so big and scary
• 08:30 - 09:00 not scary you feel like you're able to make a difference you know and I think that's very empowering like she was saying I really feel empowered I'm like I'm fired up on fire we on fire it's an excellent experience what you going do now lovej promotions woo what we have this we started a
• 09:00 - 09:30 committee Lobby day promoters so we're going to start promoting Lobby days for next year two or three buses that's awesome I love it Lobby day promoters