Highlights, Memories and Significant Events during the Period of My Presidency (2001-2005) - Ellen Oliver

Highlights, Memories and Significant Events during the Period of My Presidency (2001-2005)

Prepared by Ellen Oliver

May, 2026

My beginning reflections on my term as president of CASW transported me back to the meeting that occurred with Eugenia Moreno, CASW Executive Director, immediately after my election as president. We made lists about the priority projects I needed to address, the people with whom I needed to meet, the provinces I would visit, the international matters on our agenda and many other items that would shape my term as president. We made many lists over the years of my term and I do not recall all the details on them, but I clearly recall the support, wisdom, guidance and expertise offered by Eugenia. The opportunity to work with Eugenia was a highlight of my presidency.

The presidency presented many challenges but also involved wonderful team work with board members, presidents, and executive directors of member associations. There were many rich discussions, enlightening debates and memorable achievements.

Meeting the needs of member organizations was a major task during my term. There were significant tensions related to balancing the needs of larger and smaller member organizations. These tensions led to many difficult discussions during which the challenges of our federated structure sometimes defeated our best efforts. However, I always believed that there was great dedication to finding solutions using collaboration and social work knowledge and skills. It was wonderful to be part of this process.

Several significant events occurred during my time as president, most notably, the Code of Ethics was revised, the board of CASW adopted a policy governance model and the Northern Association of Social Workers joined CASW. I was pleased to be part of each of these events and it was especially satisfying to travel to Yellowknife and Whitehorse to meet with social workers. The board held a board meeting in Yellowknife and our presence there gave us a great opportunity to learn more about the realities of social work practice in the north. These experiences were highlights for me because of the learning and exchange that occurred and the personal satisfaction of seeing areas in Canada I would likely never have visited.

My role as president also involved participation in international activities. This involvement opened up a view of social work around the world that I obtained from meetings and projects of the International Federation of Social Workers. One of these meetings occurred in Australia, another place I never dreamed I would visit, where I gained insights into the social work practice in places like Columbia where social workers addressed the impacts of gangs and drug violence. I also recall gaining an understanding of Australian social workers’ struggle to appropriately respond to Aboriginal populations. It was clear that among our many countries there were differences and many similarities and also lessons to learn from each other.

Efforts to increase collaboration and cooperation with the American NASW began before my time as president but I had the great experience of continuing the work and achieving a Memornadum of Understanding between CASW and NASW. This document outlined how we would work more closely together to share information and resources and undertake joint projects. The process to achieve greater connection involved several meetings with board members, the Executive Director and other officials of

NASW. The welcoming and generous approach from our US colleagues was a memorable aspect of our work.

A particularly significant experience for me that emerged from collaboration with NASW was my involvement with a social work day at the UN. I was fortunate to be a member of the panel presentation on that day. I think this was the first time CASW had such a visible role at this event. I recall marvelling at the fact that I was in the UN building in New York. It was an experience that a little girl who grew up in a community of 40 people in NL could never have imagined. We went to the delegates dining room after the presentation where we dined in the company of people from all over the world. An added attraction for me was the self serve ice cream bar in that room; I was impressed since I love ice cream.

I remember that at the end of my presentation at the social work day I concluded by saying “we do not have to be mighty to be meaningful”. This comment related to specific political issues that were affecting the world and out profession at that time. I think back on that now and think about how social work has been and continues to be a profession that does not seek power over people but strives to be meaningful though collaboration, cooperation and supporting the empowerment of people. I am thankful to have had a role in CASW that enriched my teaching and mentorship work and allowed me to promote the many meaningful aspects of the social work profession.