SSWR Call for Committee Volunteers

Application Deadline: April 7, 2026

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Brief Introduction
The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) is pleased to announce a new program–Committee Volunteer Program--open to all SSWR current member. We invite current members to apply for volunteer service on one of its standing committees for the February 1, 2026–January 31, 2029 governance term.

The call for volunteer program for SSWR committees is designed to enhance transparency, provide equity and access, increase member engagement, and expand diversity of volunteer members within our association’s governance and leadership development pipeline. The program will provide all current members the opportunity to express interest in volunteer service on SSWR committees through an open, fair, structured, and recurring process.

Committee service represents a critical pathway for member engagement in the Society’s governance, strategic initiatives, and programmatic advancement. Through committee participation, members contribute subject matter expertise to inform Board decision-making, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and advance SSWR’s mission to support rigorous social work research that informs policy and practice.

Appointments are for a three-year term beginning February 1, 2026 and concluding January 31, 2029. Members selected for service are expected to actively participate in committee meetings and initiatives throughout the term.

About the Program
The call for volunteer program for SSWR committees to enhance transparency, provide equity and access, increase member engagement, and expand diversity of volunteer members within our association’s governance and leadership development pipeline. The program will provide all current members the opportunity to express interest in volunteer service on SSWR committees through an open, fair, structured, and recurring process.

Committee service represents a critical pathway for member engagement in the Society’s governance, strategic initiatives, and programmatic advancement. Through committee participation, members contribute subject matter expertise to inform Board decision-making, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and advance SSWR’s mission to support rigorous social work research that informs policy and practice.

Alignment with SSWR 2024-2028 Strategic Directions
This new program supports and advances our SSWR 2024-2028 Strategic Directions, Goal 2 (see below) and it supports the suggestions raised from the SSWR 2024 Fellows survey conducted by the Membership Committee co-chairs. If this program is established, it will be important to align the work of all committees and its volunteers to the SSWR’s Strategic Directions.

Goal 2: Strengthen & Diversify SSWR membership composition, benefits, engagement, & conference experience.
Strengthen & Diversity SSWR membership composition, benefits, engagement, & conference experience to engage with and through SSWR.

Objective 1: Modernize Annual Conference
Objective 2: Maximize opportunities for membership professional development and increase member engagement
Objective 3: Explore possibilities of increasing SSWR Global presence
Objective 4: Re-imagine Fellows & Awards

Program Goals and Objectives

• Increase Member Engagement. Provide members a clear, consistent, and accessible way to get involved in SSWR committees.
• Enhance Transparency and Equity. Ensure the volunteer selection process is open, equitable, fair, and aligned with SSWR values.
• Support Leadership Development. Identify and nurture new and emerging leaders through committee service and provide engagement points towards SSWR Fellows program.
• Strengthen Committees and Diversity. Bring new perspectives, voices, and skill sets into committee discussions and decision-making.

Committee Service Term
Committee appointments are for a three-year term, beginning February 1, 2026 and concluding January 31, 2029, unless otherwise specified by committee charge. If appointed, in order to confirm appointments, new committee members must attend the mandatory committee orientation meeting.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:

  • Be a current SSWR member in good standing at the time of application and throughout the term of service
  • Demonstrate a commitment to SSWR’s mission and values
  • Possess relevant expertise aligned with the committee’s scope of work
  • Be available to actively participate in committee meetings and deliverables over the full term

Volunteer Expectations
Committee members are expected to:

  • Attend and actively participate in scheduled virtual committee meetings
  • Contribute to committee initiatives, deliverables, and assigned work products
  • Collaborate with fellow committee members and Board liaisons
  • Participate in periodic reporting of committee activities to the SSWR Board of Directors
  • When applicable, attend the SSWR Annual Conference to support committee-related programming or activities

Committee workload and meeting frequency vary by committee but generally require 3–5 hours per month, inclusive of meetings and asynchronous work.

Available Committees and Task Forces (as of February 1, 2026)
Members may express interest in serving on one or more of the following committees. Click on the Committee name to learn more about the committee’s work, structure, etc.

  1. Awards (click here to view subcommittee open positions)
  2. Communications (2 open positions)
  3. Fund Development (3 open positions)
  4. Membership (1 open position)
  5. Nominations and Elections (3 open positions)
  6. Publications (4 open positions)
  7. Research Capacity Development Committee (7 open positions)
  8. Social Policy (4 open positions)
  9. Task Force on Safeguarding Social Work Research

Application and Selection Process
Interested members must submit:

  • Completed Committee Volunteer Application Form
  • Brief statement of interest outlining relevant experience and motivation for service

Committee appointments are made through a formal review process conducted by SSWR leadership and committee chairs, with final approval by the SSWR Board of Directors. The Society strives to ensure that committee composition reflects disciplinary breadth, methodological diversity, institutional representation, and member career stage.

Important Dates

  • Application Opens: March 24, 2026
  • Application Deadline: April 7, 2026
  • Appointment Notifications Issued: May 2026
  • Committee Term: February 1, 2026 – January 31, 2029

How to Apply
Please complete the Committee Volunteer Application Form available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/83XJGKS 

Questions
Please contact SSWR at info@sswr.org for any questions.

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