Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers


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Membership

Registration/Membership Criteria – Registered Social Workers

A person who has a certificate or degree in Social Work may apply to be a member of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers by:

Completing the membership application and forwarding it to the Registrar of SASW indicating the membership category applied for;

Submitting a cheque/money order for the appropriate fee with your application;

Submitting a current criminal record check. Current being not more than three months old;

Providing proof (attach photocopy) of having received a Certificate, Bachelor, Master or Doctoral Degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASSW) in Canada. An out of country degree must be evaluated by the Canadian Association of Social Workers before being eligible for registration with SASW;

Providing a character reference from a registered social worker or most recent employer

Signing the Declaration on membership application.

Your application for membership will not be processed, until ALL DOCUMENTS have been received in the SASW office.

Fee Schedule for New Members

Effective May 1, 2003

Full Time Membership
January 1^st – June 30^th$285.00
July 1^st – September 30^th$171.00
October 1^st – December 31th $114.00

Part Time Membership
January 1^st – June 30^th $175.00
July 1^st – September 30^th $105.00
October 1^st – December 31 $70.00

Student Membership
January 1 - December 31^st $50.00
Fall Semester prorated $15.00

Non-Practicing Membership $75 (not prorated)

Associate Membership $70 (not prorated)

Please Note:

Individuals who are reinstating their membership, must pay the full year of membership fee plus a $50 reinstatement charge. As well , you are requested to submit a current criminal record check and provide a letter of reference from a registered social worker/current employer.

Reinstating does NOT qualify for prorated fees.

What Do You Get When You Join SASW?

A question that is frequently asked by members of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers is "what do I get as a member with SASW?" The following are some of the benefits of being a member:

Professional Credibility. A registered social worker has agreed to be held publicly accountable for ethical practice by his/her peers. This distinguishes professional practitioners from technical employees. There are approximately 860 registered social workers in Saskatchewan.
SASW is a member of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW). When you join SASW, you have joined an organization member of the CASW. Your voice is added to over 14,000 other social workers across Canada to advocate for social justice and professional recognition. CASW is also affiliated with the International Federation of Social Workers and many national groups.
Professional Publications. Members of SASW receive The Saskatchewan Social Worker which is published quarterly by SASW as well as a journal entitled Canadian Social Worker and The Bulletin which is published by CASW. These publications contain scholarly articles, new information concerning continuing education opportunities etc. CASW also develops and distributes occasional discussion papers, position papers, and policy documents which are available to members.

Insurance

Access to professional liability insurance coverage including civil liability and professional disciplinary coverage.

Access to term life, long term disability, medical and dental benefits.

Access to home & car insurance.

Advocacy. The Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers lobbies the provincial government and others in areas such as:

Professional Status: SASW lobbies for improvement in the status and recognition of social workers. On the national level, CASW is doing the same. CASW has developed a national private practice roster and is lobbying to gain exemption from charging the GST for social workers and for recognition by private insurance carriers. This would also result in clients being able to deduct private social work fees as a health expense.

Social Issues: SASW joins with other groups to develop discussion papers, briefs, and position papers to lobby for the "equitable distribution of societal resources" as required by the CASW Code of Ethics. CASW works with the Canadian Council on Social Development and other national groups to advocate for a sound social safety net and for human rights.

Annual Conference. SASW holds an annual conference (usually in April) with the location of the conference alternating between various branches. Membership entitles you to reduced conference rates.

Opportunity. Membership in the Association entitles you to be eligible for election on Council. As well, members have the opportunity to join committees such as the Discipline Resource Pool, Education Committee, Professional Conduct Committee, Public Relations Committee, Social Policy, and Standards of Practice to shape activities of SASW. Members may choose to become actively involved at the Branch level. SASW Branches are located in the following areas: The Battlefords, Moose Jaw, Northeast (Nipawin), Prince Albert, Rosetown, Swift Current, Yellowhead East (Yorkton) as well as in Regina and Saskatoon.