Nominate A Pioneer

What is the NASW Pioneer Program? The unique mission of the Social Work Pioneer Program is to foster the historical continuity of the profession through the pursuit of three goals:

1. the collection, protection, and promotion of the history of the profession;
2. the identification and systematic recognition of those social workers who have made significant trailblazing contributions to that history, and preservation of the historical record of these individuals and their achievements through a dedicated web page of “Pioneer Profiles”; and,
3. the provision of assistance to the professional community to further the purposes of social work as a profession as the knowledge, experiences, capacity, and interests of Social Work Pioneers individually and collectively permits.

Nomination Guidelines Introduction

SPECIAL MESSAGE – Writing a Successful Pioneer Nomination 

In narrative form, one document limited to two-to-four-pages, describe the significant and innovative contributions made by the nominee and provide relevant biographical information for the candidate using the guidelines below. The narrative should provide detailed substantive information recounting the contribution and its impact, providing a clear picture of the actions and result. A curriculum vita may accompany the nomination, but will not be accepted in lieu of the written narrative. The nomination narrative must conform to the format and instructions outlined below.  For narrative examples, please refer to Pioneer biographies for Dr. Betsy S. Vourlekis and Dr. Jesse Harris.

Who can be nominated as a NASW Social Work Pioneer? 

• Historic Pioneer:  This is a person whose pioneering contributions in the social work/social welfare field took place prior to the establishment of NASW in 1955 when specific criteria for designation as a professional social worker were implemented.
• NASW Pioneer:  This is a social worker (living or deceased) whose pioneering contributions occurred after the establishment of NASW in 1955. The nominee must have a professional career of at least 25 years, not necessarily consecutive, and must have been a member of NASW at some point, if not currently.

**Current NASW Chapter and National Staff are NOT eligible.  

Who may make a nomination and what to include?  

Anyone, other than direct family members, with familiarity and personal knowledge of the potential nominee’s pioneering contributions may submit a nomination (family members cannot nominate or provide the support letter). Self-nominations are not accepted.  The following materials are required:

• cover page with nominator information;
• nomination narrative (see specific outline and guidance below);
• one additional letter of support; and,
• picture of the nominee.

How should the nomination narrative be written? 

The narrative should be no more than four pages and must be submitted in a specific format containing five sections. Narratives not conforming to the format will be returned. A curriculum vita may accompany the narrative but will not be accepted in lieu of the narrative. Guidelines for the five sections are provided below.

I. Specific Pioneering Contributions

II. Career Highlights

III. Biographical Data

IV.  Significant Recognition and Awards

V. Significant Publications (if any)

What information should each of the five narrative sections contain?

When is the deadline for submission of a nomination?

Expanded Nomination Narrative Explanation

I.  Specific Pioneering Contributions

1. describe the person’s significant/trailblazing (e.g. “pioneering”) specific contributions - providing detailed substantive information about the innovative or ground-breaking features to social work, social welfare, human services; and,
2. summarize, with specifics, the difference the contribution(s) has made to the practice or policies of social work/human services and to the people served - that is, the nature of the impact made by the pioneering achievement.

II.  Career Highlights

Provide evidence of a career trajectory over at least 25 years, not necessarily consecutive. It should include an overview description of the nominee’s positions held and other accomplishments not mentioned in Section One. Include information about the auspice [i.e. public, voluntary, for-profit, etc.], work setting, field of practice [i.e. child welfare, public assistance, community organization, etc.], and scope [ i.e. local, state, national, international, etc.] of the positions held.  

III.  Biographical Information

IV. Significant Recognition and Awards

Describe any public/professional recognition and awards the nominee has received.

V. Significant Publications (if any)

Mention publications here only if seminal for the profession/field, key to the nominee’s pioneering contributions, or a true “classic.” This is not meant to be a bibliography.

Required Supporting Materials

• Picture: Please provide a high-resolution photograph (formal or informal) of the nominee. If selected, the picture is used for the Pioneer’s biographical profile page.  

• Additional Letter of Support: Please provide one letter of support from an individual familiar with the work and accomplishments of the nominee that clearly addresses and substantiates the specific pioneering contributions for which the person is to be considered. This letter should be specific to the Pioneer nomination (and not previously provided for a different award).

• Interest in Pioneer Activities: We would like to know of nominees who are interested in becoming more involved in our Legacy program and the Annual Pioneer Luncheon and Program that takes place in the District of Columbia. 

Nomination Package Checklist